Residence: Oceanside home in Kodiak, Alaska (1984 to present)
Favorite food: Fresh ginger, smoked salmon, oat-bean waffles
Favorite quote: “One of the shocking realizations of adult life is that most of us are not fulfilling the most closely held dreams of our youth. Instead of pursuing dreams that were once integral parts of our personalities, we end up in one way or another fulfilling someone else’s ideas about who and what we should be, usually at the expense of our creative urges.”
– Galen Rowell, author of Mountain Light
hen I was 10 years old, my parents gave me a Kodak Brownie camera for Christmas. I know that sounds trite, but it’s true. (Never mind that I posed with the camera wearing a polka dot dress; probably one of the few times I wore a dress).
From that day forward, I loved roaming Puget Sound’s beaches, hiking the North Cascades and local neighborhoods; a perpetual treasure hunt.
Born and raised in Washington State, I went to sea at age 20, working as marine science technician, an able-bodied seaman and later, as a Merchant Marine Officer. I traveled all over the Pacific Ocean.
Being pre-internet days, and I found the best way to share shipboard life was to write letters, describing whale encounters, 50-foot seas, and Sunday meals of roast pig. I also took B&W photographs, developing the film in the darkroom below decks, where the chemicals slopped out of the trays, thanks to the ocean-motion.
After eight years at sea I moved to Kodiak Island, Alaska. With my camera in one hand, I picked up a shovel and pen in the other, becoming a passionate organic gardener and writer. Now I have 12 raised beds filled with flowers, vegetables and herbs, a cornucopia of photography subjects.
For the past 20 years, I have worked as a professional photographer, and taught photography, mosaic and gardening courses at Kodiak College (University of Alaska Anchorage). I enjoy the teaching-learning process. Thus, I also conduct photography and gardening workshops.
In addition to hands-on photography and gardening experience, I co-authored Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, which enjoyed three months on the New York Times bestseller list, and have written a weekly gardening column for the Kodiak Daily Mirror since 1996.
Did I mention that I like to cook? During the summer, my husband and I conduct wildlife tours and gourmet dinner cruises on our 42-foot, Grand Banks-style yacht through our business, Galley Gourmet, Inc. We also run the Cliff House B&B, which is located on the ocean so you can watch the boats and sea otters go by.
My photography work is also represented by AlaskaStock Images in Anchorage, Alaska.
If you visit Kodiak Island, be sure to look us up.
Dear Marion,
Thanks for the up-date to your blog. I was reading the Kodiak Daily Mirror about the site for the maritime museum, etc. And the sad news about the closing of the bookstore. ;-(. My Coastie son, was featured in the K D M when he was out of uniform, doing “Santa to the Villages” duty! (Dec. 6th) so that’s how I was able to read the paper for several days. My son will be transferring out of Kodiak next summer so I do not think that I will get to hop over from Kuopio, Finland to experience that wonderful side of the far north before he leaves. It has been so warm over here with little or no snow to brighten up the dark days. My granddaughter has been wishing for snow there. But you have had it colder there. I hope you got your carrots out of the ground before the freeze!;-D
And, a wonderful new year to you all.
Carol