Exploring the Tidal Pools...

Exploring the Tidal Pools

While the Tide is Out We Get to Go Play and Discover!

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=viewing.tidepooling

 

 

 

Tom and I listen to NPR on the local radio station 100.1 KMXT Kodiak, FM. It's not like the station I'm used to back in Kansas where everything is surrounded by classical music, Celtic music, or blue grass. Here in Kodiak, the music on this station revolves around the NPR news, local events, radio talk shows, some classical, but the rest ranges from rock to alternative to funk to just down-right kookie. It's an interesting station to say the least.

http://www.kmxt.org/

One day, while listening to the upcoming events going on in Kodiak, I heard about Beach Combing while the tide was out. It was going to be Saturday morning at 10:00am at the Visitor's Center. I talked Tom in to it and away we went. When we got to the Kodiak visitor center no one else was around. We knew very quickly that we were at the wrong place. After talking to the lady inside the Kodiak visitor center, we realized that we were supposed to meet at the Ft. Abercrombie Visitor Center. I was about to give up, figuring we would never make it in time (it is half way across town), when the kind woman suggested that we would not miss it and that if we left now we would probably catch them before they left. "It's well worth the effort," she encouraged.

So, off we went. And, sure enough...the group was ready to leave for the beach just as we got there...we made it in time!

After hiking through the woods and past the fresh water lake, we made it to the beach.

Debbie, the Park Ranger there to teach us, handed out buckets, gloves, identification sheets on the marine life, and net scoopers to go get some fun items to look at.

Tom and I each got a bucket of our own, while I got to hang the identification sheet around my neck (I felt like I was back in grade school, but I didn't care. It was fun!).

 

 

Before we knew it, Tom and I had collected little creatures and placed them in to our bucket for further analysis. There were six-legged star fish, crabs, and so much more.

At times, were even able to find rocks that we could turn over and see all of the star fish, etc, clinging to the bottom side. Everyone would run to come looking. There were several young girls there and they would especially want to see what everything there was to see. Girls after my own heart!

If we didn't know what something was, Debbie (the Park Ranger) would explain all about it. She had been in Kodiak only for a short while. Before that, she had been to Yellowstone National Park for a season. She was full of stories about her adventures and it was a delight to hear about all the wildlife she had been exposed to!

The sun was out, the tide was out, and the sea creatures were abundant. We also saw eagles flying over head, and Puffins flapping their little wings (looking like bats from the distance). Through binoculars I could just barely see the white and red colors of their beaks. Everyone was smiling and happy, exploring and having fun. I loved every minute of it!!!

Guess we can check this one off our list of things we most want to do on the island!

Kodiak Wild Flowers

Kodiak Wild Flowers

Color that splashes across the scene and brings new life after a long winter!

http://kodiakwildflowers.com/ 

On the many hikes Tom and I have now taken, nothing stands out more and catches my attention so fully as the wildflowers of Kodiak.

It was a long winter, with record-breaking snow fall this past winter here in Kodiak. So, when the brown, dead grasses turned in to green, lively forliage everyone was excited to see the flowers come out this spring!

The Nootka Lupine is just about every where you go for hiking on Kodiak.

The Chocolate Lilly is a rich combination of chocolate brown and burgundy.

I think this is the Bog Cranberry, but I'm still guessing at this point.

There are other flowers that I am still attempting to find out what their names are...

While Tom and I were exploring we found a beach that had such fine sand if it weren't for the color (grey) I would think we were in Hawaii!

We, ofcourse, went down to explore the beach and before I knew it Tom was on his knees in the and writing something...

After he finished writing it, I realized how special it really was...

Awww! I Love You Too, Sweetie!!!

That same beach had several shells that had been polished by the surf pounding and rolling them over and over against the other rocks and sand until the shells were smooth and pearl-like. I couldn't resist and had to collect a whole hand-full.

It was a day that we had actually gone out to explore the island, hoping to find some good camping spots (to go fishing for salmon), and along the way found memories and other treasures to enjoy.

Such a beautiful day!!!

The Town of Kodiak

The Town of Kodiak 

Small town atmosphere with a big heart!

http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/Home/Pages/home2.aspx

The Layout of Kodiak
When coming in to Kodiak I quickly realized that there was no "downtown". There are two main streets (Rezanof and Mill Bay Road) that branch off from the "Y" when you enter city limits, just pass the marina.

The marina is probably the hub of the town. From the Marina, most of the rest of the city of Kodiak developed. Starting at the marina all the other service buildings are located: The Library, the banks, Town Hall, the Visitor Center, etc.

http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/harbor/Pages/default.aspx

To drive to our home you have to choose to do down either Rezanof or Mill Bay Road. They both run the length of the town. The town is located on the North-Eastern part of Kodiak Island, on the South side.

Most of the island is uninhabited. The roads only go for a short distance (total of approximately 100 miles of road). To get anywhere else on the island, you have to either fly there or take a boat.

Kodiak, the island, is located just off of the South coast of Alaska.

Some History of Kodiak

It is in the Pacific Ocean, but it is also referred to as the Gulf of Alaska. Being and island, and being so exposed to a large body of water, Kodiak had been through a tsunami back in 1946.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tcX4oCwqPk

http://www.kadiak.org/tsunami/tsunami.html

The town was devistated, several buildings leveled. 114 people died in Alaska as a result of this event. They rebuilt, however, and now there are several homes right on the water, and throughout the City of Kodiak that are very beautiful.

This time though, there are evacuation routes marked, sirens that are in place to go off, and the Coast Guard is ready to move in to action when/if necessary.  There's no way to predict when/if there will be another earthquake or tsunami, but Kodiak has done everything it can to be ready should this occur once again.

Friendly Town, Friendly People
The people in Kodiak are very welcoming. They are extremely thankful for the Coast Guard, and as a result are very open to anyone associated with them. The Coast Guard has saved many a life in the area and just knowing there are "angels in the sky" that can rescue people in trouble has the town feel that much more safe. Tom and I have been invited to go fishing, come over for dinner, and welcomed to the island more times than we can count. It's been a genuine blessing to meet everyone here!

Russian Churches
There are many churches here in Kodiak. Some of the most interesting revolve around the Russian Catholic faith. There are multiple churches that have the famous architecture that reminds me Russia used to own this land, and is still not all that far away (just on the other side of the Aleutian Islands). I couldn't resist taking a few pics of these beautiful churches.

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/questions/yq2/yq345.htm

Views from the Shoreline
There are, ofcourse, lots of views from the shoreline that are breath-taking. Looking in just about any 180 degree direction will get you views of the water, the islands, the wildlife in the water, the boats, etc. It's one of my favorite ways to feel like I'm not "hemmed in" or "trapped" on an island. Seeing the horizon makes me feel free. It's a very rewarding experience to have the sun come out and show where the horizon meets the water line.

Upcoming events Tom and I will be going to...
http://kodiakisland.net/events.html

July 3-4: Independence Day
At midnight on July 3, a large fireworks display over Chiniak Bay marks the beginning of Independence Day celebrations. Island communities celebrate with parades and special observance. In Kodiak the Multi-cultural Committee holds a parade in celebration of the community's diverse mix of races and cultures.

July 14-16: Bear Country Music Festival
An annual musical extravaganza that includes a full-spectrum of bluegrass, country, folk, soft rock and Alaskan music. Over fifty bands and musicians from Alaska are slated to perform.

It's gonna be a fun couple of weeks!

Kodiak Facts (Given by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce):

1)  Inhabited by the Alutiqs (Native Americans) since 8,000 B.C.

http://www.kodiak.org/explore-kodiak/history-a-culture/alutiiq-heritage.html

2)  Settled by Russians in 1792

3)  First capitol of Russian-America

4)  Sixth largest city in Alaska

5)  Temperature range from -20 degrees to 82 degrees F

6)  Average annual precipitation: 74.2 inches

7)  Home of the largest U.S. Coast Guard Base

8)  Home of the Kodiak brown bear - world's largest carnivore

9)  Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge - 2,491 square miles

10)  Second largest island in the Unites States

Harbor Facts:

1)  Largest fishing port in the United States

2)  Two marinas - 650 slips and Vessels up to 150' LOA

3)  Pier 1, Ferry Dock

4)  Pier 2, Fisherman's Terminal

5)  Pier 3, Cargo Terminal

http://www.city.kodiak.ak.us/harbor/Pages/default.aspx 

Abercrombie State Park

Hiking in Abercrombie

State Park

What a gorgeous day to take a hike!

This beautiful state park was once a World War II Fort. Located all over the park is evidence of this fact. There are bunkers where lookouts watched the waters surrounding the area.

http://www.kadiak.org/abercrombie/abercrom.html

There are also multiple turrets where large guns once stood and were used to sink any ships or planes that came too close.

Despite the evidence of war, this park has some of the most beautiful views from the trails it has. Tom and I found multple placed to stop and enjoy the view, look at the wild flowers or the eagles flying, and enjoyed the beach....yes, I said, beach. Although Kodiak's beaches are not white, they are still beautiful. I would not want to get in to that cold, nearly freezing water. But, there are several times that Tom and I have seen surf boards on top of people's cars driving around town. Impressive!

I made my own Zen rock-stand to help bring a sense of peace and harmony. It seemed to help me feel there is hope and new, beautiful life. Balance...to all things.

We couldn't help but stop several times to just take in the beauty of what surrounded us.

I talked Tom in to taking our photo...a shot that seems to have become our staple picture opportunity.

The last view of the another beach on the way back to the car was another beautiful site.

Such a beautiful park, well worth going...multiple times!  Which we have. And, there are more posts to come that will cover those details!

Things to Do In Kodiak

Tom and I have made a list of the things that we want to do while in Kodiak. There are the basics, such as start a garden and go hiking. But, there are also a great many things that sparked our interest that are unique to Kodiak. This is our tentative list:

1)  Go to the Marine Research Center where they have a touch-tank and information about the local area marine life.

2)  Take a float plane to get a more scenic tour of the island.

3)  Go bear watching.

4)  Get trained to take out the boats offered through MWR in the Coast Guard, so we can go fishing for halibut.

5)  Go camping in a "Scamp" (a hard-shell camping trailer needed because we will be camping in bear country).

6)  Go fishing for salmon (we have found out that the red and silver salmon are what humans eat; pink salmon is for the bears; and the chum salmon is for the dogs - who knew?).

7)  Hike up the various mountains in the area (Old Woman, Pillar, etc).

8)  Go Whale Watching!

The only two things we haven't seen on this web-site are the whales and the bears (I keep hoping to see the whales and Tom keeps hoping to see the bears...yikes!)

http://www.kodiakinn.com/local_area.htm 

9) Go Kayaking!!!

There really is soooo much to do here! It's like being on vacation...and, not having to go home!

http://www.kodiak.org/things-to-do.html 

The list, ofcourse, is growing and gets added to daily. This is just a preliminary list.

One of the places that is close to us and full of trails to explore is called Abercrombie State Park (which is going to be in my next post! - Tom is in the picture below, looking at the beautiful coast along the trail we took in Abercrombie State Park.)

http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/kodiak/ftaber.htm