After the second major windstorm of the year inflicted severe damage on the Allstot family cabin in Alaska, it seemed like it might be time to close down the operation and be done. There is so much work to do to clear from a mess like this and so much heartache and disappointment. Certainly we are lucky that no one was hurt and the damage is to buildings alone, but the loss of those buildings meant the end of 24 years of making memories and a good-bye to a town and friends we were not ready to say.
Thankfully, my Dad and others have decided not to throw in the towel. What started as a shack of plastic and plywood became a wonderful wooded retreat. However, a return to the simple structure is not the end of the world. We can still take walks on the beach . . .
This view from the water shows the complete destruction of a boathouse, the cabin, and what you can't see is the shop at a 45 degree angle behind the cabin. The second boathouse to the right is damaged, too, but not visible. The only structure escaping damage this time was the outhouse. It sits in the middle of a meadow now since the last windstorm.
The trees will come down, the land will be cleared, salvage will begin. We may have to completely start over, but we are going to get to enjoy the same view from the beach, with or without the cabin we loved. Not a bad fate afterall.
