“In Dick’s Words” is a monthly blog post created by the Friends of Dick Proenneke. Each month we’ll publish an excerpt from one of Dick’s journal entries to learn about what he was building or thinking so many years ago in that month. The posts will lead us on a journey through Twin Lake’s seasons by highlighting Dick’s words and first-hand accounts of his life in what would become Lake Clark National Park.
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Line drawing by Fred Hirschmann of Dick Proenneke’s Cabin at Twin Lakes, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska. Illustration used by Dick for many years as his rubber stamp for letters and envelopes.
Fifty years ago this month, Dick has completed his fireplace and is ready to light the first fire. Dick borrowed a hoe from Lofstead’s cabin to mix mortar for his fireplace. He went out of his way to always returns things in better condition than when they were borrowed.
October 1, 1968: A good day to manufacture a damper door for my fireplace. Nothing but gas cans, wire, nails and sheet metal screws but that should do it and it did. Copied after the working model Jake had sent and it works. Tonight was the night I would build the first warming fire but I hate to smoke up the hearth as I must work in there installing the custom made damper from L.A. when Babe brings it in. More odd jobs about the cabin. I built a tight fitting cover for the fireplace opening. It is the best storage space for vegetables and eggs in cold weather that I know of.
Photo Credit: Vernon “Bud” Lofstedt’s Cabin as it exists today at the head of Upper Twin Lake. Lofstedt Creek has flooded through the cabin making it virtually unusable. Photo Copyright Fred Hirschmann.
October 6, 1968: After a time I came down from my look out and decided this was the day to return Lofstead’s mortar mixing hoe. Worn bright from hoeing concrete I oiled it to prevent rust.
Photo Credit: Stone hearth inside Dick’s Cabin. Photo by Fred Hirschmann.