Whale Watching April 21, 2012

Whale Watching April 21, 2012

What a beautiful glorious day! The sun was shining. The temperature was just right and my friends and I were looking for adventure!

Bridget, Bonnie and I decided to head to Psagshack(puh sag shack) to Fossil Beach.  That's the end of the road in Kodiak.  Seems kinda funny but it's true!  You can get no further down the island than Fossil Beach!   The road winds around and follows the coast and with the sun shining and good friends in the car we were off!

We hiked up the bluff to Narrow Cape at fossil beach.  It's pretty interesting in that the drive to this particular beach takes you through the Rocket Launch facility and when you actually make the hike you end up seeing several WWII "pill boxes"(look outs - gunneries ...whatever) .  These make great places to park your backside while you watch for whales.  I guess I should say that this is Whale Fest season. 
http://www.whalefestkodiak.com/Home.html   It's the time of year when all Pacific Gray Whales pass on their migration.  Narrow Cape is a great spot to....welll...... to spot whales:)
I've gone every year and have seen spouts in the distance.  You can see hundreds at once if you get there at the right time.  This time we saw humpbacks frolicing in the waves and breeching!  It was a great sight!  Something I will always remember and treasure.

The trip for the car!-Seattle

So it's been about four months since the last post.  During that time I moved back to the lower 48 so I guess my Alaska Adventure is officially over and done with.  Now for the next chapter in life.

I flew up to Seattle to get my car which was supposed to come in on the barge and then drive down to San Francisco to see my sister and family.  Unfortunately Alaska seems to be getting pounded by some truly horrific weather and the barge is stuck in Valdez.  Hopefully they will be able to get out soon.  Lots of flooding, wind damage etc.. Kodiak also has had a few large earthquakes!
Hmmmm.... maybe I am glad to be out of Alaska for right now lol.

At any rate, in Seattle I was able to visit with some friends and do some sight seeing.  It's a great city and very near to wear I was born.

I was able to visit Pike's Peak Market and I have to say that every city should have one of these.  I spent hours just wandering and browsing.  The food that was for sale was of the freshest quality and quite delicious.  I also got to view a demonstration of the fish tossing!  It was so fun!

After the market I went to the Seattle Aquarium.  It was not much to get in and was a nice little museum and animal shelter.  In addition to touch tanks with guided feedings, they also had a variety of birds and water mammals.  All were in good shape and well cared for- the sign of a quality establishment.

I saw the space needle and took photos but of course didn't go up in it. I'll save that for another time.  It was simply too lovely a day to spend it indoors. 

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.....

Long Time

Reindeer walking in Fur Rondy Parade

Wow it's been a long time since I have posted!  A lot has happened in that time.  I had back surgery to take the pain off my leg and haven't really been mobile until recently.  So I haven't been able to do as much.  I did manage to go to ASTE - Alaska Society for Technology in Education.  Lot of great information was gathered and I feel refreshed and ready to take on new projects!

While we were in Anchorage, Fur Rondy was going on!   Fur Rondy is the two week celebration before the Iditarod.  We didn't get to see much of it as we were in conferences for most of the day but we did glimpse part of the parade from our hotel window.

Ice "Tea Cups"

Climbable train for kids

We also were able to walk by where the ice sculptures are displayed.  They had an interactive ice "playground" for the kids.  So fun! 

Alaska Aces Game

After attending the technology conferences where I learned a TON we were able to catch an Aces game.  Really good seats - four back from the ice!  The game was great.  We lost but it went into overtime and eventually ended with a shoot out.  I'm not much one for hockey but I have to say that seating arrangements definitely make a difference!  I'm sure my friends were tired of me asking "why..." though.   One of the funniest moments was when the announcer stated that the opposing team was coming on strong and the ENTIRE audience chanted..."and they stilllll suck" .  It was too cute.  During halftime (or whatever it's called) they threw out Girl Scout cookies to the audience.  We managed to catch some lemon ones and share with the entire two rows.  One thing about Alaska. Noboby is ever a stranger very long! 
It was a great trip!  I learned lots and I was able to have some Alaskan experiences that I hadn't had before!

Christmas and beyond

It's been a while since I posted.  I lifted inappropriately this summer and managed to bulge a disk.  During Christmas break I had a discetomy which has improved my mobility and pain considerably!

I ended up taking an additional two weeks off but Kodiak was ready for me to come back.  My friend Mary picked me up from the airport and as we were driving back the moon hung so low and full, it appeared we could touch it.  Mary and I both like photos so needless to say a 15 minute drive ended up taking more than 45 minutes. 
 

Moon over Pillar mountain as seen from the road

Here are some pictures of the Moon welcoming me back:)

 

 

 

 

 

Kodiak by moonlight

Unfortunately for me the moon wasn't the only thing welcoming me back!  Lots and lots of snow had fallen which is unusual for Kodiak.  It was about 16 inches on the ground.  Came up to the knees!  Not crazy about snow when I have to drive in it but I do enjoy it's beauty:)

 

This is the view from the floor looking out my back sliding door.  I couldn't open my door!

You can see that I don't go out that back door often.  No snow disturbed.  I was glad of that snow when I had no running water.  I went out and filled pots and pans with the snow.  I can rough it but why bother when you have snow that you can melt to flush your toilet.  Water was only out for a day thank goodness! 

Proof of the 16 inches of snow.  The thing about Kodiak is that snow doesn't hang out long.  It generally rains after it snows and that leads to.....ICE.  Ugh.. Up here people drive with studded tires and ice cleats for your feet are a MUST!


At any rate, the snow isn't horribly inconvenient.  When it snows here you drive. You go to work.  There is no such thing as a snow day in Kodiak! 

October Weather

RAIN! RAIN! RAIN!  Welcome to Kodiak.  Good thing I like rain but even I was getting a bit starved for some sunshine!  We've had a couple of glorious days here..I should have hiked and grabbed some pictures while at it but alas, I've been a bit under the weather so into my new bed I must go:)

I did manage to get a pretty good sunset shot at the fairgrounds and there is something about the full moon that just draws me so I have several of that too.  Pinks and blues and hazy purples make it seem so calm and dreamlike..Perhaps that's why I am a night person.. it's calm and dreamlike and no one is around to bug you! lol!  Check out the pics below!

Moon shining Bright!

Sunset.  You can just see the Termination dust on the mt.

Moon in the hazy sky

Love the pink sky

So Peaceful!

Fall Color! 

Man on the moon

View from my condo!

Airport Dedication

Well I'm about a week late in posting this.  But during our last visit to Akhiok, they dedicated the airstrip to two beloved Kodiak pilots who were tragically killed in plane crashes.  The community had a big pot luck where everyone brought a dish.  Let me just tell you that people in Akhiok know how to cook!  It was yummers!  Several pilots from Kodiak flew in for the dedication.  Good thing the weather cooperated!

Anyhow to start the ceremony off the local priest, who I just call Father as I don't really know his name(oops!), performed a blessing and the eating was on!

After several memorial speeches and comments, the kids came in with a plane outline, made of metal, that they had welded with Robin and Jim's initials.  Then a troop of dancers performed.  It was so neat.  After that everyone pitched in and helped clean the gym. The pilots left and as they left they buzzed the school which is a piloty way of paying tribute to their fallen comrades.  Eddie (one of the pilots I frequently fly with) stole the show by pulling straight up into the sky.  We all stood on the porch and waved...I ran in to get the camera and COMPLETELY missed his maneuver.

I put some photos and a few snippets of video below so you can get a feel for it.  Was truly blessed to be able to spend time down there.  What a great community!

Bringing in the plane

Flying the plane lol

Waving to planes

Back in Akhiok!

Well back in Akhiok for some more training:)  Staying until Wednesday morning.  Pretty exciting visit really.  Woke up this morning to a beautiful sunrise...Akhiok is one place where I don't think you'll find a dull one.  Limited tree cover allows for clear views to the mountains in the East as the sun tiptoes over them.  The pictures below were taken in 15 to 30 minute increments.  My favorite is the church silhouetted by the salmon colored sky.

                                                                               Upon first waking and getting dressed to start our   day...I took a moment to step out the back door     (being careful to smell and look for bears...) The sun was just starting to ascend the mountain tops...

The church in all it's glory,
surrounded appropriately enough by
ahem...a salmon colored sky..
Sorry couldn't resist...

 Perhaps 20 minutes later the clouds took fire!

And finally, the sun showed itself..What a beautiful day.

We worked all morning, (couldn't really tell you how - all I wanted to do was look out the window and marvel at my good fortune:).  Towards the afternoon the students here take a VTC class called Natural Resources.  They were a little ahead of the class in town and decided a hike was necessary! 

Margaret and Laurie, who came down on this trip with me, were on the porch rarin or should I say roaring to go...

The think about hiking in Akhiok is that you typically don't go far without a firearm. In this environment the high school students were the teachers and we were the willing students.  

 

Hiking Akhiok Style

Off we went to climb a mountain.  Now as many of you know.... I'm not in the best shape, nor am I known for wanting to do hours of physical activity at a time, but hiking...now there's something that interests me.  What's over that next mountain?  Never a boring moment.  Off we went...and the disparity between 17 year olds and 40 year olds becomes most obvious.  Notice the similarities in how the following pictures were taken... Bet you can guess where I was the whole time!  Ha ha!

View from platform of new Tsunami Shelter

Passing the Water Towers

 

View facing away from the water towers.

I stand by my belief that down is  better than up but when in Rome or rather Akhiok it's necessary to go up or swim when wants to go anywhere.

Brandon (one of the kiddos) took a break while waiting for us lollygaggers to get in gear. I'm amazed they were patient enough to answer all our questions.  By the way he's sitting on the old Tsunami shelter which is about half way up the mountain.






Continuing on our next stopping landmark was the Tsunami equipment, which I have no idea what it is, why it's there or what information it collects..Took a picture of where we going..Again up...

These look like solar panels to me ... Don't have any idea of what info they collect though.  Notice the big mountain behind it.  We didn't go up there.  The kids told us the other side had breath taking views, basically because when you got up there you had no breath left!

View of the village from the Tsunami equipment.  Think I can safely say that it's going to have to be a heck of a Tsunami to get up this far.

Friendly village dogs.  They came up with us and by this time I was kinda wishing I could stick my tongue out too.. pant, gasp, pant

Finally we made it!  Made it to the top.  As near as I can figure we were up 13, 500 feet.  Not sure why there is a rock pile or what it stands for but just to make my mark I added one to the pile. 

After collapsing...uh.. I mean resting for a few minutes we continued on to the far end of the rather flat mountain.  In the distance you can see the ocean and I guess if you had really, really, really good eyes (or were Sarah Palin) you could see Russia!







While we were at the top the boys took enough time to let us each try and hit some rocks below by shooting a .270.  Yeah....three feet to the left is where mine ended up...More practice may be needed here.   They were very good teachers as they instructed Nicole (one of their teachers) on the finer points of gun shooting.

After heading back down, again,  down is good I say, we went back to work until 3 when the entire community came up to the school for a airstrip dedication event!  Look for more on that in the next post!

First Akhiok Visit of 2011-2012 School Year.

Went to Akhiok for my first visit today.   Although cloudy the flight down was perfect.  I went with two other wonderful ladies and we were able to charter a flight down. 

Akhiok lies to the west of Kodiak.  It's at the end of Kodiak Island.  It has some amazing views, the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other.  It does not have many trees and what trees it does have are short and stubby.  After working with the new teachers down here, we decided to go for a walk.   One of the local women pointed out that there was indeed a bear traveling around to the west.  We chose to go east:)

 While walking down the road we ran across some sea urchin shells.   Akhiok is one of the only places on the island to get these delicacies. After draining the salt water out,  you break them open and eat the bright orange eggs inside.  They has a sweet, yeasty flavor and are quite good.  I've included a picture from an earlier trip so you can see the yummy parts.  We could tell from the amount of shells that someone had obviously had a feast!

We went down the road towards the Russian Church and took pictures of the Church and graveyard.

As overrun as the graveyard was, it has a quiet beauty.  A sense of serenity.  The fireweed and pushki add to the sense of endless time.  The church itself stands on a small hill a little above the town proper.  Built in the Russian design, it provides the villagers with comfort and joy during celebrations and funerals alike.

On one side of the church is a sod house.  Students built this in remembrance of what was once the housing norm.

As we continued walking down the road which circled back to the road leading to the school, I must admit we grew a bit nervous.  Knowing that I was  in the general vicinity of where a bear could be (even though it is the main street of the village and we were surrounded by houses on all sides) made me keep my eyes peeled.  We were about halfway down the street when we heard a sudden continuous growl.   I jumped to the side of the road as did one of my walking companions (seems I'm not the only nervous one!) .  Turns out that when you are not expecting it....an air compressor starting up can sound like a bear growling at first(I am assuming here as I have never heard a bear growl and hope to never be in the vicinity when one decides to start up!) .  Laughing at our nervousness we continued to chat and to talk when in the distance I spotted a head rising above the fireweed..  "Bear" I said quietly.  Where my companions asked.   I pointed and they were a bit surprised I had seen him as he was a distance away and blended in with the dark green and browns of the dying vegetation.  "Snakes and bears I said....I can spot them way before they are going to spot me! "  Fear, it appears, sharpens my eyesight significantly.  My photos of the bear were only magnified 12 percent - I need a better camera.  My friend Mary's are much better so I'll include them here.  They are magnified and make it look as if we were closer than we were .  Trust me I'm not getting close without a car nearby!

After a brief discussion, two of us decided to continue on as the bear was out of the way.  We walked maybe 10 feet -and then decided that perhaps that was not the smartest thing to do as he was far away and we couldn't tell which direction he was going.  We walked back to the school .  We could see the bear from the front porch of the school while watching the children play on the playground.  Bears are a way of life here and as long as they don't bother the people and aren't close -- the people leave them alone.  

We went inside for about an hour and were working when we received a phone call from one of the villagers telling us not to go outside as a bear was heading TOWARDS the school.   We did what any sensible visitor would do ---grabbed our cameras and ran for the front door.  Standing on the porch with one foot in and one foot out we searched but couldn't see the bear.  We did however see people mobilizing in trucks keeping an eye on the bear.  Soon they were headed our way and so was the bear!  Once we saw the men in the trucks with guns we decided that a close up really wasn't worth it and that we would go inside.  We received two more phone calls and a visit from the VPSO (Village Public Safety Officer) who informed us the bear was just passing through and was on the other side of the school heading to wherever bears head.  We asked if it was the little one we had seen earlier - it wasn't. 

We are safely inside the school, bedding down for the night.  What an adventure we have had on this trip!  I am truly blessed to be able to have these experiences.   Good Night all!