Another year is ending and though I’d love to say something profound about it, it’s gone by so quickly that I’m still processing last February! Ah well, February then  …my hero and father, Jack Krause passed suddenly as the result of a fall. We’d almost lost him several times in the past decade, so though we were taken by surprise, his was as long, well-lived and honorable stay on this beautiful planet. I sure do miss him in those odd moments, like wondering how to fix something or other- as he really did seem to know everything, and conveyed  his knowledge in such a kind and compassionate way, it was a pleasure to ask for help.

Just before he passed, I was fortunate in securing his and my mother’s blessing in an undertaking that has filled most of my days beginning in March of this year. Bay Avenue Gallery opened on April 1^st in Ocean Park, WA. It’s housed in a beautiful old building on our tiny main street, just 2 blocks from the Pacific Ocean. We (myself and my business partner, Sue Raymond) represent more than 30 local artists and offer children’s and adult art classes. The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to expanding our artful presence here. www.bayavenuegallery.com

Balancing the art and gallery, I am continuing my work as a shipboard naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions.  I spent a good part of the summer in Southeast Alaska- (my 19^th season) it is an incredibly inspiring place to me and to my art www.bettelukrause.com . I’ll be heading to Baja California again in mid-January for a month of ‘naturalizing’ there- another beloved place of inspirational wilderness grandeur.

In August, Lauren Marziliano and I co-lead a vision quest for women, our first such guiding expedition together though we have much experience in the field separately. It was a heartful journey and we intend to continue to offer this empowering passage for many years to come.

I hope you and your friends and family are well and finding connections in nature and in each other, through these interesting and challenging times.