First Impressions

Our first view of Safe Harbor Church and our new home as seen from the deck of the Eastern Wind. The four bedroom parsonage is on the left of the sanctuary and the high school sized gymnasium is on the right.

We were warmly greeted by our new friend Bea who is a worker at the Trident plant as well as a strong believer and supporter of the church. She has been especially welcoming of the new pastor and his wife!

This picture of Akutan Bay was taken from the front steps of the church looking toward the Trident Seafood Co. about 1/3 mile away. We have been eating our meals at the plant galley and enjoying their little store.


The Grumman Goose delivering mail for the village as well as loading passengers from Trident trying to get home for the holidays. This is the first mail plane in three weeks.

Gary, shoveling a dusting of snow off the front steps of the church. Temperatures have been mild and most days are windy and rainy, sometimes turning to snow.

Early Thanksgiving in Entiat

Because of our planned move to Akutan before Thanksgiving, we got together on November 7th with two of our boys and their families as well as Bob, Lon and Janet and two of their kids and families. For some reason I didn't get a picture of the 21 of us sitting down to dinner in our kitchen, but I did get some shots of the kids having pie and playing and the adults relaxing and enjoying this rare opportunity to be together.

Our niece Carol and husband Toby Smith from Redmond Washington. Four of these cute kids are theirs.

Gary's brother Lon and his wife Janet presiding over the chaos in the living room. After all, seven of the ten children are their grandchildren!

Our daughter-in-law Allison, Brad and Lindsey's boy Spencer and Carol and Toby's daughter Jessie playing Marble Works

Brad's boy Wesley, our daughter-in-law Chelsea and Bryan's boy Nathan building Thomas Train tracks.

Our son Bryan, nephew Brad and son Adam getting caught up. The boys helped set up tables and chairs and seem to be avoiding the mad house in the living room!

More Family Fun

We played a round of putt-putt golf at a course in Entiat. The course was closed for the winter, but the owner allowed us to play for free. Although our hands got cold, the sun shone and we enjoyed being outside. I think Nathan was declared the over-all champion! He had the most strokes!

Chelsea putting off the wall. She's getting plenty of coaching from the crowd.

We visited the Fish Hatchery and spent some time throwing large bolders in the Entiat River and splashing everyone.

Margo and Chelsea visiting with the women in Lon and Janet's dining room. Janet had us all over for home-made pizza on Friday night.

On top of Mt. Buttercup just behind our house. I think you can see our house in the lower left of the picture.

Bryan and Allison on top of Mt. Buttercup

The Columbia River looking toward Chelan from the top of Mt. Buttercup on a beautiful Fall day.

Bryan and Dylan went Mule Deer hunting with Grandpa and Uncle Lon. This was Dylan's first hunting trip.

After Uncle Lon and Grandpa walked their legs off. No deer, but lots of good hiking! I think Lon and Gary were engaged in similar activity about this time!

Safe Harbor Church and Community Center

To reach Akutan you fly to Anchorage and then to Dutch Harbor on Alaska Airlines. Weather permitting you take either a flight on a Grummond Goose to Akutan Harbor or hop a Trident fishing vessel for the 35 mile trip from Dutch Harbor.

The church building consists of a four bedroom parsonage on the left, the sanctuary in the middle and a high school size gym, and recreation center on the right. The Trident Seafood Company plant and employee housing is in the right of the picture and the Aleut village of Akutan is to the left, about 1/3 mile from the church.

Christian movies are offered to the villagers and the seafood workers on a regular basis. There isn't much to do in Akutan and the church offers a message of hope and a friendly place to spend a winter evening.

Special events such as Ladies Teas and Bible Studies are offered to the women who live and work in Akutan.

The church's 12 passenger van provides transportation from the fish plant as well as the village to all who want to attend the services and special events.


The Safe Harbor Community Center is equipped with a full size gymnasium, ping pong, volley ball, weight room, games and movies.