I have got to get better at posting things as they happen!   I recently went to one of our villages with the name of Port Lions.  Port Lions is a beautiful village fairly close to Kodiak...About a 10 minute plane ride or an hour by ferry.  It's the only one of the villages that the ferry will stop at.  At any rate, it was a bright sunny beautiful day so I went for a walk.   Port Lions has a rather long causeway across one of its bays and when the tide is out it is all mud flats. As I was walking towards the causeway I noticed a resident Eagle just hanging out.  He didn't hang out long on the causeway- I'm guessing he doesn't like company.  At any rate he managed to land in the water a few feet away which was lucky for me and my camera as I was able to get quite a good shot if I do say so myself.. And I do:)

 

 

 

 

Admiring his fine self!

Darn picture takers!

At first he appeared to be admiring himself but I really like the one where he realizes it's time for his photo shoot.  I would say that I am a good shot with a camera but that would be a lie.  It's very easy here to come up with some amazing shots and when you do you still realize that it just does not do justice to the natural beauty that exists!

I walked on and to the end of the causeway and took a few more shots that I'll share on here.  Not quite sure why I like the life ring one but I think it's because it's typical for Kodiak.  It's a town and villages that use the sea for everything.  It comforts, enlivens and sustains the island all at the same time but it doesn't come without it's dangers.  The life ring is a reminder that this natural beauty does come with a price.  Sound a little melodramatic I know, but then I'm just in that kind of mood.

I was traveling with a fellow employee and friend of mine Mary Swanson.  She recently had surgery on her foot and was unable to stay at the school.  When traveling we usually blow up and air mattress and then just camp out at the school.  I stayed at the school and Mary had a secure place and Kathy and Ivan Lukin's bed and breakfast. 

Taking Mary to the bed and breakfast with the school van, I was invited to view Ivan's first attempt at sculpture.  What a sculpture it is!  I'll be surprised if it doesn't end up in a museum.  This man is talented!   He had carved and Aleut hunter complete with Baidarka(canoe). He paid close attention to detail.  He even carved the ears and fingernails!   Ivan showed us the canoe and proceeded to tell us the story line he had come up with to go along with the carving.  It was fascinating and such a honor to be able to listen and talk to him.  He even let us touch it! What a thrill! 

Even the teeth were carved

He explained that he had chosen a look of surprise on the hunters face as he figured that prey sometimes would come up a little closer than the Aleut would expect. 

Petroglyphs representing family

He then explained petroglyphs (which are found at ancient dig sites and on rocks, cliffs etc all over the island) on the prow of the boat were a way to remind the hunter of his family and how he needed to provide for them and come back safely to them.  They also might give the warrior a lifeline when the seas where rough and fear was high.

Ivan explaining his work

Every symbol had a meaning and every tattoo a reason.  I was very glad to have gotten the opportunity to meet Ivan and view his creation!

Beached Boat at Port Lions.

The other two days I was there were just as beautiful as the first.  I walked around the village and took some random pictures.  One of a boat that was beached and dried out in the sun.  I wonder what stories it had to tell.....