Aug 9, 2012 - Back to civilization!

Thursday, August 9 We got up about 7, dressed and finished packing. We wanted to vacate our cabin before breakfast, so Brigid could clean it before the next guests arrived on the plane that picked us up. Breakfast was pancakes. We sat around and talked until the plane arrived about 10:30 am. The next group of guests were 3 French men and a French-speaking Swiss couple. (Brigid speaks French.) We had a good flight back. The pilot took us over more of the island than we saw on the way down. (The ceiling was higher today.) He made a perfect...

Aug 5, 2012 - Start of the Trek

Sunday, August 5 We had pared our "stuff" down to a frame backpack and a day pack. We were picked up by Andrews Air van at Henry's Restaurant. Our fellow guests--Steve, Michelle, and Mikayla (age 14) Bergman were already in the van. When we boarded the plane, Larry got to fly shotgun. Because of the low cloud ceiling, we flew north around the end of the island, then down the west coast for most of the way. We saw a few whales and a few deer from the air. When we landed at Aleut Island in Uyak Bay (pronounced Yuyak), Harry and Brigid came...

Aug 5, 2012 - return to Kodiak

Last night we sailed through the rain to Kuliak Bay. Each bay we have visited has had a totally different look and feel. Kuliak seemed like the Garden of Eden. At low tide golden beaches bordered by thick grass and bushes reminded us of the Caribbean. (Never mind the temperature; we were still wearing multiple layers of clothing in the cold rain.) A little river took lead us to a grotto where a gurgling waterfall was surrounded by thick greenery and scattered flowers in bloom. The salmon have arrived after spending the last few years of...

Aug 4, 2012 - Kodiak, Alaska

Saturday, August 4 Rainy day today. We got up late, and Jan, our hostess, fixed us a huge breakfast of fruit, eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Then we went back to our room for Larry to take care of some business at the college by email. Jan told us the local garden club was sponsoring a tour of local gardens and got us a map, so we visited a few. Most of them were small yards, but really bursting with flowers and some vegetables. Very creative use of space and also of containers. Stands with pots overflowing with flowers with small plants...

Aug 3, 2012 - Anchorage to Kodiak

Friday, August 3 This AM we flew from Anchorage to Kodiak. The flight was one of those "Alaska Airlines operated by ERA Airlines" deals, so we went to the Alaska Airlines desk. They sent us to the ERA desk, at the opposite end of the terminal (toting a frame backpack, a duffel bag and another bag holding our camera and electronic equipment). Once we got checked in (and checked bags for free), we were surprised that we went straight to the gate, without going through security! (So my worries about liquids, pocket knives, my new hip, etc.,...

Jul 29, 2012 - ferry

When you live in a motor home, you can bring everything you need and lots that you don’t along. Yesterday we packed two duffel bags in no time, wondering if we were bringing the right things for the next adventure. We are headed to Katmai National Park to go animal viewing, bears fishing for salmon in particular. There is no reliable way to check the weather reports and this area has many nooks and crannies between the mountains that could vary a bit. We will be on a boat with no set itinerary that will take us to where the bears are....

Jul 8, 2012 - Kodiak

We took a 9 hour Alaska ferry ride to Kodiak Island where we are going to stay for 6 nights. It is interesting how they chain down the vehicles on the ferry, just a hint that the ride may not be so smooth, and it was not. We did see whales and puffins on the trip over to Kodiak and back. The first night, we camped in the truck along the Pasagshak River where it enters the ocean. There were salmon entering the river so there were fisherman but we saw no bears. We had breakfast on the beach at Surfer's Beach and there were surfers in the cold...

Jul 3, 2009 - Halibut Fishing

John and Mike were off for an early morning start to a half day of fishing. They were very fortunate to be the only fishermen on the boat. Great fishing was found just a half mile out of the harbor. They were able to reel in halibut, king, red, and silver salmon and black cod. While they were fishing Lisa & Dianne toured several of the local museums to see the native culture and the early Russian influence. We toured a Russian homestead built in the 1790’s and an old Russian church. Late in the afternoon, we all flew back to Anchorage in...

Jul 2, 2009 - Bear Viewing

Early the next morning we met our float plane pilot for a flight to Frazer Lake. We were in for a fascinating day of bear viewing. The area looked much like Kaua'i, except much colder. After a smooth landing on the lake we hiked to the viewing area through a trail of wild flowers. We sat above a fish weir and ladder where the bears gathered to feed on the salmon. Two sets of Mamas with two cubs each were the main attraction. The bears wadded into the river easily caught a salmon or two, climbed back on the bank, nursed the cubs, took a...

Jul 1, 2009 - Kodiak

Lisa, Mike and the two of us flew from Anchorage to Kodiak early Wed. morning. Wendy, our guide met us at the Kodiak airport at 8 AM for a full day of sea kayaking. We drove to Anton Larsen Bay to begin the adventure. We slipped the double kayaks into the calm fog lined bay. The banks of the bay were lined with lush green woods. The sea kayaks are very easy to maneuver. We quietly glided through the water. Huge eagles sat in the tall pine trees. As we ate lunch on a sand bar we watched the fog lift at the mouth of the bay. Several large...

Sep 16, 2007 - Kodiak, Alaska

The only thing I knew about Kodiak before we came here, was that those delicious King Crab legs come from this area. I couldn't even find Kodiak on the map. I was looking in the chain of islands that form the comet's tail from Alaska to Russia through the Bering Sea, but it actually is a blob all alone south of the main body of the state. Although the island is noted for cold, murky weather, we arrived on one of the three great days of the year. The bright blue sky illuminated the sea, showing the coastline and its deep fjords to their best...

Apr 30, 2006 - Kodiak Island

ive arrived on kodiak - home of the largest land carnivore on the planet, the kodiak brown bear. this is the launch pad for our summer season in the more remote location that is chignik river, southwest of here. we'll be in the island for about ten days preparing for the summer season. then we get on the Fish and Game research vessel, the Resolution, and steam through the north pacific to chignik bay. it feels nice to get back to work. this season brings new and different challenges than last season, along with some of the more familiar...