Sunday Funday at Anton Larsen Bay

So....I had big plans today to get Andy to tackle the drainage of the yard.  He instead convinced us to go on an Adventure with him.  With so few sunny days left, how could I say no. There will be many rainy, icy days ahead so things like hanging the paper towel holder can wait, along with pictures etc... It was time to explore.

Once you get onto Anton Larsen Bay road there is a warning regarding the road.  In the summer its not bad, but I can imagine in the winter it's un-passable.  Pretty quickly the road turns from  paved to gravel and its windy through the mountains.  Today the mountains were a bright emerald green with peeks of waterfalls.  I felt as though a bear would jump out at us, but fortunately they are very shy animals.  I also felt as though I could be anywhere in the Maine backwoods.

Andy started casting at the roads end on Anton Larsen right away.  The fish were jumping!  Within about 30 minutes I am chasing Amelia and Andy is hooting and hollering about a fish on.  I am thinking, oh great another Pink.  He keeps exclaiming how big the fish is he has on the line.  Of course, the girls and I miss the spectacular show but saw him land it!  I can't even being to tell you how excited Andy is about this fish...or if you know Andy; you can imagine it!  Coho Salmon are the last to run up river and they generally average about 7lbs, therefore; a 12 pounder is impressive.  These fish are also really good eating!

After our fishing excitement we headed to Buskin Lake.  Here there is a weir. A weir I learned today is: A weir /ˈwɪər/ is a barrier across a river designed to alter its flow characteristics.  In this case, it lets the fish up to spawn in the lake but they can't get back.  It was packed and the fish/game does a count.  We also saw the cycle of life, I thought the Pink Salmon had a disease, but after the fish spawn they start to decompose.  Its pretty nasty.

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs, did a show of a dead salmon count in Northern California. I wish I could find the episode.  Maybe one of my followers can find it :

We hope to get a few friends and family up to visit next summer to partake in the Salmon Run. Enjoy the pictures!

Buskin lake and the ocean

Waterfall

Start of Anton Larson

Emerald Isle

The Weir

Loads of Fish

Tired fisherman

On the Ocean...playing, sleeping and fishing.

One Week

Its been a great week.  The girls and I were on our own as Andy has some work travel.  We were busy and tried to find a nice routine to our lives.  We still had a bunch of unpacking to do, but we also got out and explored.

This was our last week of Swim for Molly and she did great.  She has FINALLY gained the confidence to swim on her own and has done so well. We are now working on her confidence to back float and front float.  As soon as we can master these two floats she will be moved up to the next level.  Amelia on the other hand would LOVE to take swim lessons, but the two places in Kodiak only start at Age 4.  When speaking to the Rec department I mentioned that A had been in swim since before turning 1.  Their response was that they find it easier to work with Age 4 and up.  They also only offer swim lessons during school breaks.  There are not enough kids or instructors on the Island to keep it going all year.  So,  it looks like I will be teaching A how to swim and M will join us at open swim times.

We got to tour M's Elementary school this week and register for Kindergarten.  I am  not going to post too much about her school, as this is public forum.  It went really well.  On Monday we will find out her teacher.  Its such a small town and school that is sort of like having a casting call. After 4pm on the given day, your child's name is posted on the front the school.  You drive and up and check. After, this we will have a parent conference with the teacher.  As I mentioned the school is small, with two teachers per grade (K-5th).  M will ride the bus.

Its going to be an early morning as the bus arrives before 7:30!  We went to the Bus Safety event on Saturday.  A great event and I am so glad we went. The kids got to simulate being picked up from the bus stop and then a quick bus ride going over procedures.  Each kid is actually assigned a person to sit with and seat!  Wow.

The girls and I went to the little touch tank/aquarium facility on the Island. Its run by the Alaska fish and game association.  Its lovely. Small, but lovely.  We saw a variety of crabs, sea stars, halibut, flounder, rock fish and of course Salmon.  Molly got to hold a sea cucumber!  The hermit crabs were much bigger and a little more shy than we were used to.

Lastly,  it was  great week for sunshine!  We met some new friends in town at the 10.00 Beer/Burger night. Delicious. I love Burgers and this was one of the best, plus you can't beat the price. The only funny side was that the Beer wasn't delivered so slim pickings :)

My goal for the next week is to find my adventurous side and get out on a hike.  The girls and I have yet to do this on our own and I've heard its easy and fun! The trepidation comes from the possible bear sightings but since we make a lot noise, probably not likely.

Enjoy the few pictures...

A Summer Day In Kodiak

We have officially been in Kodiak about two weeks.  Today was a picture perfect day on the Island.  It was a balmy 70 degrees outside with bright sunshine and blue skies.  It was a great day to go exploring and have some fun. 

We left about 10am and went to Monaska. A local beach, river area and the drive is lovely. The kids and I are sure to spend time out here with a picnic and tide pooling.

Monaska Bay

A giant jellyfish

Next stop, the Kiwanis Kids Pink Salmon Fishing Derby.  Ages 15 and Under along the Buskin River.  An easy and local spot to fish.  Entry is only 1.00 and includes lunch, a hat, safety glasses and free lure :O!  It was awesome.  We ate lunch first and then hit the river.  Unfortunately, after an hour we hadn't caught a fish.  I imagine its because the fish had way too many choices on dining options. When we the left the largest fish was 5.7lbs.

Wow. A lot of kids!

parents could help cast but kids had to play and land the fish

Geared up and ready

We went on our adventure to the American River.  I wanted to drive around the Island. Its about 1.5 hours to Chiniak and Pasagshak.   The American River is a fresh water and perfect for Pink Salmon this time of year.  It was crystal clear and a beautiful day to be waterside.  Andy perfected his technique and choice of lure, while Molly had the thrill of catching a big one!  Amelia found herself busy with rocks either building towers, throwing in the river or skipping.  I had fun soaking in the sun and handing out fishing tips (I forgot my license at home :/).

American River

fish on

clear water. these fish are home free, as they are above the bridge

My favorite picture. Molly with a fish on!

We finished the drive to Surfer's Beach. It was spectacular, and completely unexpected.  The pacific ocean side of the Island.  A few surfers and several seals playing in the water.

Large, tubular looking Kelp. Very strange stuff.

A seal

canning salmon.

A long day but with happy kids and parents.  Our doorbell rang at just about 9pm from the local kids looking to play with Molly. Already asleep. I also learned not too be fooled by sunny days, as I left my windows open in the car last night and it rained.

Learning Alaskian Living

We have been on Island for just about a week and half.  Two weeks will be this Friday. We have learned so much about Island living during this time frame, that my hope is that we will be locals in no time!

Everything costs more here on the Island.
Groceries cost more here on the Island. I paid 8.00 for a head of cauliflower and 3 Russet Potatoes cost me 5.50.  This is just an example.
The Sun does not come out often and when it does, like right now at 8:15pm.  You really want your kids to stay up late to soak up the brightness and smile at it.  I will appreciate the sun on a much greater level now that we have lived without it for 1.5 weeks.
We are getting learning a new routine:  rain jacket, rain boots, enter and exit thru garage so as not to tramp wet, stuff through the house.
Preschools are hard to find. There is very little child care and/or preschool options on the Island.
Swim Lessons are only offered during the summer and over christmas break. No kidding. Why? kids are in school most of the time and they don't teach swim lessons in the evenings, as there isn't enough involvement.


Island residents and the alike are so friendly and super helpful. Everyone wants you to feel the allure of Kodiak Island and make you love it as much as they do.  I am still working on finding the love. Andy on the other hand is loving the freedom.  People just get up and go and do what they want to, whether its hiking, fishing, biking, driving etc...

Its easy to get around the Island but hard to find what you are looking for...still haven't found the local playgrounds and new community track but keep taking the given roads.  Today we did find our first small community playground. Pure Love.

Honestly, there are so many great qualities of the Island life. We are excited to get to know all of them and have met some very friendly people.  Looking forward to more exploring this weekend. 

A few pictures of the Move In...Get Settled

Don't be fooled by the pictures below....today it rains.  Its going to rain now for the next 7 days.  Everyone on the Island is loving the rain, due to the fact that its been too warm and sunny.  The salmon aren't in the streams/rivers as the water level is too low.  The Island has been too dry this summer. Can you believe it?

We have made a ton of progress even since I took some of these yesterday.  We also went and did our first big grocery shopping, checked out the library and Rec department. Kids are settling in well.

View from downtown

Unloading Crates

TV Playroom

Dining Room and living room

Pink Salmon

Salmon Fishing is a BIG deal in Kodiak.  Some people make their life's living by being a commercial fisherman and others just fish for fun and food.  There are so many regulations that a booklet is needed for every new fisherman.  AND, any fisherman under the age of 16 has a record log.  Like I said its a BIG deal.

If you've ever been fishing for Mackerel in the ocean on a good day when any lure, bait you throw in you catch a fish; then you'll understand salmon fishing in Kodiak.  This time of year the Pink's are in and in the next week or two the Silver's will be running up stream.

All of the salmon start in the ocean and then travel upstream to spawn and then they die. I think Mike Rowe, on Diry Jobs, did a show where he had to count dead fish up stream.  Its a way to see how many fish are in the river etc...

Andy checked out the fishing on Saturday. He went alone and had a great time. He caught two nice fish and then got stuck behind a local  man who lost his brakes on the rough terrain.  Two hours in the woods waiting for a tow truck and he was able to join us again.  On the bright side the local was a commercial fisherman and we got some amazing Sockeye Salmon Filets!

Today it was family fishing day.  You can imagine our gear, pole for everyone, boots, lures, etc.. We went to a very local spot and I noticed that many people take advantage of all the fish and forget the fun of fishing. The amount of Salmon carcasses and used fishing line was a bit much.  BUT, there were salmon running up stream and people fishing.

Its exciting and fun!  Amelia and I provided the entertainment when I got my lure stuck on a rock, but still caught a fish. I caught a tree branch, got a puncture wound when I stuck myself, filled my boots with water while trying to catch a fish, and Amelia fell in the river.  Andy and Molly on the other hand caught fish after fish.  We also learned that you can only keep fish that take the lure in their mouths.  Yes, there are so many fish that you can catch them by the tail!

So, we had Pink Salmon last night for dinner and it reminds me of eating fresh water lake salmon. Its light, fluffy, and full of bones. It was delicious.

Check out the pictures!

Playing with Mom's Phone after she fell in...

Catching a fish