June 20, 2021

Writing while taking a break from the frenetic activity of offloading Lightkeeper and the painter’s work boat to sit quietly and reflect on the beauty that surrounds me under the canopy of trees. The lighthouse tower awaits its fresh coat of whitewash. There’s activity down at the docking site, where we pulled up the pontoon boat. Kathy and I prepped for a Saturday night supper of beef and chicken kabobs, and tinfoil potatoes with vegetables to be grilled over a charcoal fire. Sounds of sawing are coming from the Assistant Keepers Quarters where new volunteer Pete is busy repurposing wood into an additional bunk frame. Voices of Cathy and John floating down from the 1867 tower…and the “cookie” (Kathy) is back to survey her domain.

Evening by the fire, listening to Carl’s songs and stories of the UP…with a hearty breakfast Sunday and additional tasks accomplished. Thanks to Eric Allchin for contributing his outstanding biscuits and gravy. They paired nicely with fresh fruit, yogurt, and scrambled eggs by chief bottle washer Linda. Cathy A. attacked weeds at the gravesite. Pete began clearing the walks. The painters have rigged a system to get lake water up to the lighthouse and have started to work. Our FILA team returned to Northport on a fine Sunday afternoon closing out our second work trip to the island.