So, I'm back for my first entry since making the move out to my new life on a seculded isolated island in the pacific.  Here's a primer on what life is like for me.

Notes on life on Protection Island:

I get a lot of confused looks from people when I tell them that I live on an island, by myself (mostly, there are a lot of birds) in the middle of the ocean.  It isn't something that one encounters everyday, and its understandable that most people I meet have a hard time understanding my motivations.  Once they accept that I'm probably (mostly) sane, then their thoughts turn to the logistics of the whole operation - and they start asking some of the same questions that I asked when first inquired about the position.

1.  Do I live in a house?

Yes!  The USF&WS have been kind enough to outfit a large house for use for their resident caretaker, and for the present year, that means this house (which is rather large) or cabin is all mine.  I keep my stuff here, and even though there are 3 queen beds (I rotate through them) I still have the place all to myself.  So no, I don't live in a dirt-shake or some hovel or a tent on the island (contrary to what my mother first thought)

2.  Does my house have all the modern amenities?

Well, that depends on what you think of as all.  All of the things that are actually neccessary for living - sure.  I have running water, supplied by pressurized water that comes from a water town on the south side of the Island which is filled by a gasoline-powered pump run by me once or twice a week.  For cooking, I have a propane-powered stove and a propane powered refrigerator and freezer to keep my food cold.  For hot water (showers, dishes, handwashing) I have an on-demand water heater or tankless water heater, powered by propane, which is actually much more efficient and easier to maintain/use than a conventional water heater would be out here.  For heating I have a nice woodstove that I get to chop wood for (wood heats you twice!) and I have a full bathroom with toilet (septic tank) and a shower (good pressure).  I also have a washer and dryer that are powered by propane.

3.  Does my house have electricity?  How is that possible?

Yes, to a degree.  All of the electricity that I have here is renewable, coming from my various solar panels that are placed outside the house.  So, while I have electricity - I don't have any to waste.  On any given day, I probably use only 200 watt-hours of electricity (a normal household would use between 500-10,000 watt-hours per day).  My electricity is in the form of 12V DC electricity (coming from the batteries).  For the odd use of a power-tool, 18V battery charger or the washer and dryer I have a gasoline-powered generator that I can run and that powers a 120V AC circuit for these appliances, and the excess charge is run through an inverter and used to "top-off" the battery bank as well, nothing gets wasted here.

4.  What about the internet?

Initially I didn't have the internet, but eventually I succumbed and my father helped me connect using a wireless Verizon Modem which hooks right up to my laptop.  So now, I have all the internet I need - but again, not any to waste: pages take longer to load, and some days for whatever reason the internet won't work at all.  That's just life on the island - and you do something else that day.  I also have cell-phone service and a pager for others to contact me if they have need.

5.  What about visitors - don't you get lonely?

Well, if this is lonliness - I could use more of it!  I find that my personality does well alone, although I enjoy having people come visit me (hint, hint!) and they are welcome.  I can have visitors, for short or long stays - the department doesn't want me to be isolated.  So, even though this is a protected wildlife reserve, which no member of the public is normally allowed to visit, exceptions are made in consideration of my mental health (I think that's for the best).  But most days, I don't miss not having anyone around (although I wish there was a someone, preferrably a female someone who thought living here was as cool as I do, but alas!).

6.  What is there to do on the island?

Well, its not like a theme park or anything, but I have plenty to do.  I have lots of duties that need attending to, and which require attention on a daily basis.  During the week, I pump water, wash vehicles, change oil, mow lawns, trim bushes, keep my house tidy, chop wood, and many other things.  Evenings I check the points of the island to make sure we dont' have any human visitors camping out.  On the weekends I spend a lot of time on the boat, keeping watch for visitors to the island who are unaware of its status as a wildlife santuary and informing them of the what's and why's of its status.  I interact with a lot of animal-watchers, fisherman, shrimpers and others this way.  So far I haven't talked to anyone on a kayak.  Mostly my job is just to be out here, keeping watch, and being ready to respond if something happens.  For the most part I am autonomous on a day-to-day basis, the department just likes to know that I'm alive and if something special comes up - they call me and let me know how I can help respond to that need.  Most evenings are spent reading, by candlelight, propane lamp, kerosene lamp or 12V DC lights (which are actually just volkswagon headlights appropriated for the purpose of ceiling fixtures).  The sunsets and sunrises are beautiful, and the birds are noisy and rambunctious most days - making sleeping in a real trial in acceptance.  For recreation, there is photography, walking (or running), and a lot of beautiful, peaceful scenery.  There's fishing, crabbing, shrimping and sightseeing that can be done from the dock or the boat - although I haven't caught a fish yet, much to my chagrin.  I also listen to a lot of music, and do a lot of writing of the reflective nature (the atmosphere here is quite conducive for that sort of thing).

7.  What animals are there on the island?

Birds, Birds and more birds.  The island is responsible for upwards of 80% of the seabirds that are found in puget sound, they all nest here and they populate almost all parts of the island except for the upper highlands - but if there's a good view of the ocean there are birds nesting in it (cliffs, bluffs, driftwood shoreline and even the beach itself).  We have Cormorants, oystercatchers, pidgeon guillemots, seagulls (too many to recount), rhinocerous auklets, tufted puffins, barn swallows, bald eagles, harris hawks, and many others that I haven't learned yet.  There is also a resident population of about 70 deer that call the island home.  Its a good deal here, nobody hunts them and there are no predators so they just live, and breed, and do their deer thing (which is all anything any animal (including ourselves!) could really ask for, in my opinion).  There are seals that haul out on the spits, and pup there too (maybe 500 pair) and in the winter there is a male elephant seal that has been seen here often.  The one thing there isn't a lot of is people, and that's best for the island and for me - I like having this place all to myself.

Well, that's most of the questions people usually ask - I hope it sheds some light on my situation out here.  I'd love to field more if you've got them, and share some of my feelings about this wonderful place with you.

Be Well!

Dom