Some of you may remember that we had a major announcement last summer – we finished the family cabin in Meyers Chuck, Alaska! For an in-depth review of the process of building and finishing on off-grid cabin in a remote location approachable only by water please take a look at last year’s blog post.
My husband, Jon, was born in Ketchikan. His family has had a tugboat and barge business operating out of Seattle since the 1920’s. His father settled in Ketchikan during the timber boom in the late 1950’s and lived there the rest of his life. Meyers Chuck has been a popular summer location for locals wanting a remote cabin and yachting types who like to cruise Southeast Alaska. NPR did a feature story on Meyers Chuck a few years ago and it really shows a great perspective of this part of the country from one of the very few year-round local residents.
Jon and I took over finishing the cabin in 2023 and finished it last summer. Friends and family members have visited it and used it over the last year so we found it in great shape for our first visit this year.
We planned to come for the annual Memorial Day celebration which is a pizza party extravaganza for the opening of the summer season. It’s always hosted by our neighbor who has a legitimate wood-burning pizza oven, outdoor kitchen and huge open deck. Unfortunately, the weather was so terrible that the party was cancelled. Jon and I never left the dock in Ketchikan and ended up going back to Seattle early to extend our visit with his mother on Bainbridge Island. I always love that part of our trip anyway and the weather down south was really nice so it turned out to be a good turn of events.
For our second summer visit the weather improved. We had a few additional items for the cabin including a bed and nightstands for the third bedroom. After we arrived and went around to say hello, we decided we’d host a happy hour the next night. When we got to the cabin, I told Jon we had to do something about all of the boxes of new items that needed to be assembled to have the place looking spiffy. We ended up staying up very late putting together a bed, two nightstands and seven lamps. However, the next day we did nothing but visit, walk to the beach and host two groups of friends. When you boil it down that’s what Meyers Chuck is all about – working on your cabin, visiting with your neighbors and of course, for many, fishing and crabbing.
We wanted to celebrate the Fourth of July in town so we returned to Ketchikan. They had two days of activities planned and the weather cooperated. We attended a very entertaining logging competition which had world-class athletes competing in traditional logging events. They were incredibly strong and skilled men. The proceeds went to a charity for local young women pursuing business degrees. It was a great night! Jon told me that during the timber boom, logging camps closed down on the Fourth for the weekend and the lumberjacks really did come to town and participate in games like this.
We enjoyed a hike on July 4, going from the forest floor, past waterfalls and finally down to a beach. The evening was spent at a lovely family dinner and then piling everyone on the boat for the fireworks display. They light the fireworks off a barge in the channel so we like to be nearby. Here’s a shot of having popsicles and Prosecco on the boat and a pretty view of the fireworks with the reflection on the water.
I was lucky to get to spend some time with Brigette Ellis, the sister of one of my sister-in-laws. She runs a gallery called Alaska Eagle Arts and produces and sells the artistic work of her late husband, Marvin Oliver.
When I first saw Marvin’s art, I was struck by the modern aspect of it. Pacific Northwest art is prevalent up north and I appreciate how it reflects and celebrates nature. Marvin’s art does that but feels so fresh and more creative. He moved the traditional styles forward by including brighter colors and according to Britty, never wanted to leave any pieces flat. He translated that preference by incorporating carving, ceramics and glass work into his artistry and embossing his serigraphs.
Here are some works that caught my eye. You can see the embossing in the lower center of this serigraph titled Sea Bear.
Here is a newly embossed serigraph titled Rivers Spirit. The family does their own printing at a studio in Seattle.
I was so enthralled with his pottery that I bought a set of mugs as a housewarming gift for our friends who hosted us in Sardinia last year. They loved the graphic design and Pacific Northwest theme of the Salmon mug (left) and Raven mug (right).
As you can see, Marvin was talented in a variety of media. He also does cast bronze pieces. My mother-in-law owns a Raven holding berries similar to this sculpture. This is a large piece, measuring approximately three feet long from head to tip of tail. She had a beautiful wood cabinet custom built simply to display this special piece.His glass pieces are very unique. He has used glass to interpret baskets and Kachinas in a new way.
From a design standpoint, the Northwest coastal style is unique. Rather than the nautical and preppy East Coast motifs, here you see more of a focus on nature, along with the indiginous motifs. People focus on things they see everyday like these starfish clinging to a piling during low tide or the beauty of a fawn peaking out from the Foxgloves.
I was inspired by some interesting driftwood that Jon helped me carry back from the beach. I installed it over a boulder near the cabin’s front door and then anchored it with the second piece I found. The smaller piece looks just like a wolf’s head, don’t you think?
It was another wonderful summer trip up North for us. We get to escape the Houston heat and embrace nature. It’s a delight to finally have the family cabin ready for a visit anytime we want to go out to the Chuck.
I’m off to find my design inspiration. Until next time…
– Pamela
