Alaska Adventures

Hatcher Pass Snowshoe

2009-11-15T21:29:00.003-09:00

Hi all. Well I finally got out and took my new snowshoes for a good test drive. It was wicked awesome snowshoeing around Hatcher Pass. Not to mention it was a good workout. I'm super glad I bought new active Winter clothes at REI a couple of days before hand, it was -8 F in Hatcher Pass the morning we went for our hike.

Here is the group I went with, the shadow is mine.

Not a bad place to live, up in the mountains of Hatcher Pass, but can you imagine the commute?

Did I mention it was cold that day? By the time I got home it had warmed up.

First Snow Fall

2009-11-08T12:53:00.003-09:00

Friday night as I went to bed it looked like it was trying to snow. Well it had some success over the night, because Saturday morning I woke up to see maybe a 1/4 inch of snow on the ground outside. As I hadn't been out to take some photographs in a while, mind you I have been taking a lot of pictures, just not photographs, I loaded up my camera bag and took the "long" drive down the road, maybe 10 minutes to the Eagle River Nature Center, and hit the trails looking for some subjects to photograph. I didn't have to look very hard or long before I came upon my first subject. Below are a few of the photos taken yesterday afternoon.

Eagle River Nature Center

2009-11-01T21:18:00.005-09:00

I woke up in the morning to find it was white outside, not with snow but a very heavy frost. I used the opportunity to drive all the way to the Eagle River Nature Center, all of about 4 miles from where I live, to go for a walk.

I was warned before I started my walk there was a trail closed due to bear encounters, but I didn't realize it was that bad, check out the sign below.

Too funny!

Back to the Lower 48 - For a Visit Only

2009-10-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

In late September to early October I traveled back to the lower 48 to visit family and friends. I spent time in California as well as Bellingham, WA. Here are some of my pictures from the trip. I loved shooting the fog in Pacific Grove as well as the old buildings in Bellingham, WA.

Monterey Bay Aquarium:

Pacific Grove - Point Lobos:

Bellingham and Seattle, WA:

The Alaska Ferry was in port in Bellingham.

A human sun dial.

Another view of the Alaska Ferry

My Life is Complete (Moose a Loose)

2009-10-11T20:12:00.013-08:00

So one of the goals of moving to Alaska was to get outside, explore and see new things. Well I did just that I saw a bull moose today! I heard, from a local, about a spot where Moose like to hang out in the Fall, and early Winter. So I headed over that way today, and to my delight I saw a bull moose.

So here it is, my first picture of a bull moose. Now given the size of this animal, and the rugged terrain the Moose was hanging out in I thought it would be best not to get any closer. The black dot in the middle of the picture is the moose!

Yah, and if you believe that even for a second you don't know me very well. :-) There was a trail that led me down to the valley below where the moose was, so you got it, I went that way. I'm glad I did because I got these pictures, not bad for an over cast day and my first bull moose.

Hatcher Pass Hike - Summer

2009-08-22T20:17:00.007-08:00

I know I haven't been too good about keeping this blog upto date, but rest assured I haven't been sitting on the couch at home doing nothing, I've been out and about, leaving me little time for posting pictures. But now that Winter is here, I have a LITTLE more time on my hands, but I still get out and about in the Winter.

Anyway, here are some photos from my trip to Hatcher Pass this Summer.

Departing Kodiak

2009-08-14T18:54:00.000-08:00

Well I have left Kodiak again, this time with everything. I had a wonderful time. I'll be posting a much longer post very soon.

Back In Kodiak

2009-08-10T13:04:00.001-08:00

Well I've been back in Kodiak since Friday night. I went fishing on Saturday, had a relaxing day on Sunday,

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To All My Theater Friends in Kodiak

2009-07-19T21:10:00.002-08:00

I saw this great video done by CollegeHummor and immediately thought back to the days of talking about Facebook, blogs, Twitter and the like while putting theater shows together. I think this video was specifically made for Veronica, what do you think? But as she doesn't use Facebook, I will have to rely on the antiquated technology of e-mail to share this video clip with her. By the way, I'll be back in town and available to hang out from Aug. 10th through the 13th, while I pack up the rest of my things, so lets get together and share some fish tales.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Moose Report

2009-07-17T08:03:00.001-08:00

At 7:50 am Friday morning, three moose were seen crossing Tudor Rd. near Bragaw St.; two calves and a momma moose. There are no pictures to report.

A Sight For Sore Eyes

2009-07-13T20:15:00.001-08:00

Once my car was unpacked, I felt it was time to do some exploring around town, mainly to find some food, and wow was I in for a treat. Maybe it was living in Kodiak for the past year, but I've never seen such a wonderful grocery store. There was fresh vegetables, not wilting, dried up shriveled messes, milk that didn't expire a day after the day of purchase, Bell Peppers that were less than $10 each, and a wonderful selection of bread and cheeses. I was especially surprised to find Sonoma Jack cheese on the shelf. This move to Eagle River is looking better all the time.

Home At Last, For Now

2009-07-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

Well I've made it to my new home in Eagle River, nested between the trees, with views of the mountains. Everything is unpacked, but I still need to put it all away.
Here are some views from right outside my room from the deck.

So Far, So Good

2009-07-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

Well I've been on the road for a few hours now and I am happy to report there have already been 4 moose sightings. (pictures to follow, they were taken with a camera, not my phone). Currently I am at a dog show in Soldotna.

Land Ho!

2009-07-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to see nothing but fog out the window, I thought I left Kodiak. At least I know I am still in Alaska. The scary thing is, there is land out there, as this picture was taken as we were docking in Homer.

Parting Shots

2009-07-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

With a great sence of reluctancy I drove aboard the afectionatly named Rusty Tusty ferry, M/V Tustumena this evening, with the final destination, for now, of Eagle River, AK.
Here are some of my parting shots in my last few hours as a Kodiak resident.

Last Super

2009-07-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

Well I thought I should treat myself to dinner, before heading out on the ferry, as I won't be dinning out in Kodiak much any more; not that I dined out much when I was living here, anyway. I couldn't think of a much better place than the Chowder House, on the channel, watching the boats come and go.

Moving Day

2009-07-11T12:41:00.002-08:00

Well I woke up this morning to find Kodiak outside, and by that I mean fog. It's mostly clear now, at least by my place, but occasionally more fog blows in covering the tops of the trees. I feel fortunate that after more than a week of perfect blue skies, today the weather cools down to make loading up the car a little less painful.

You know you're an Alaskan if ...

2009-07-09T13:22:00.003-08:00

So even if you don't want to hear or see another Michael Jackson Thriller tribute, you have to check this video out. I'm sure my Alaska friends will understand you got to do, what you got to do, to enjoy the outdoors. To all you others, pay attention to what the dancers are wearing, especially on their heads, here's a hint, all those things you see flying around in front of the video camera are the Alaska state bird, the Mosquito.

Full Story

I should have got a bigger cooler

2009-07-08T20:52:00.002-08:00

With only a few days left in Kodiak, I caught myself a nice King Salmon.

Don't let my Mom see this, or tell her about it. I'm not wearing my PFD/lifejacket. Sorry Mom. :-)

Out to catch the big one

2009-07-08T18:56:00.001-08:00

Well I should be home studying, but with only until Saturday in Kodiak, I'm going fishing.

Study Break Research

2009-07-07T18:50:00.005-08:00

So during a study break I began thinking more about the prospects of moving to the largest city in Alaska; especially after having spent the past year in a small rural community. So I thought I would look up some population data for myself. I started with Kodiak where I currently am and then looked at Anchorage, it was a big leap. I next looked at the population for Alaska, it's about 3 times the size of Anchorage, hmm, but when I looked at Santa Clara County, where I grew up, everything was put in perspective and I felt a lot better. Take a look for yourself.

Population Data

Tempting Mother Nature

2009-07-06T23:39:00.001-08:00

Kodiak is teasing me. Now that I have decided to move to Anchorage, the weather here has been remarkable, just like you would see on a postcard. It really has me questioning my decision to leave the Emerald Isle. I have to keep reminding myself that I'll get to see more of Alaska, more easily, once I am in Anchorage.

Empty Cooler

2009-07-04T13:42:00.002-08:00

Well no fish today, we were only out for a couple hours, and got a few bites, but as the story goes, they got away. But here are some more photos, of another wonderful day in Kodiak.

Out Fishing

2009-07-04T13:22:00.002-08:00

All work and no play make Jack, or in this case, Colin, very dull. So even though I should be home, doing homework, I answered the call this morning to go fishing. Nothing caught yet, but it,s my first time out as a licenced fisherman in Alaska.

Leaving Kodiak, But Not Alaska

2009-07-03T14:50:00.004-08:00

Well it's been a year and nearly a month since my first full day in Kodiak, AK. Reluctantly, and with a heavy heart, I decided to leave Kodiak and move to Anchorage to be closer to my new job, and be more central to exploring Alaska.

Even though it has only been a little more than a year that I have been living in Kodiak, I have made new life long friends and the best friends I have are in Kodiak. I've already made sure they all know to expect on any given weekend I could call and tell them to clear off the couch and get me a kayak, I'm coming to Kodiak for the weekend. I certainly hope I'll also be able to set up a trade system, where I send items needed to Kodiak, from Anchorage, and in return my friends send me back fish. You haven't eaten fish, until you've tried the fish from the waters of Kodiak.

Iditarod in Anchorage

2009-03-06T22:00:00.000-09:00

I think ever since I learned about the Iditarod I wanted to see the sled dogs in action. So on March 5th I flew over to Anchorage to see the ceremonial start of the Iditarod the next day. It was bitterly cold in Anchorage but it was awesome to see the sled dogs in action finally.

Iditarod 2009

Winter in Kodiak - 2008 (photos)

2009-01-01T22:00:00.000-09:00

Here are some of the sights I've seen so far during the Winter.

Winter in Kodiak 2008

Summer in Kodiak - 2008 (photos)

2008-10-01T22:00:00.001-08:00

Here are some of the sights I saw during my first Summer in Kodiak Alaska

Summer in Kodiak 2008

More Bears - down the road

2008-09-01T22:00:00.001-08:00

So as you all should know I LOVE bears, one of the many reasons I made the move up to Alaska. Well Kodiak is World famous for its bears. To my delight, in the Summer I can drive 20 minutes down the road, to some of the rivers, and from the road, watch bears fish. I don't recall being able to do that in Cupertino, San Jose, or Mountain View. Here are some of the pictures from my street side bear viewing outings. Oh and for the record, one day I came home for lunch, I live no more than a 5 minute drive from work, there were State Troopers and Kodiak Police all over my street. I asked what was going on, and was told there was a bear wandering around at the end of the road.

Bears Down the Road in Kodiak

Camping on Long Island

2008-08-08T22:00:00.002-08:00

If you've been paying attention you know Kodiak is an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean about 250 air miles south of Anchorage, AK. Well you may not know that Kodiak is surrounded by a number of other smaller islands. One of these islands is called long island and is about a 20 minute boat ride from Kodiak. One weekend some of my co-workers and I went on over to Long Island to spend the weekend camping. It was very cool. There were lots of buildings and bunkers left from World War II that we went and explored.

Camping on Long Island 2008

BEARS!!!

2008-07-31T22:00:00.002-08:00

So for my birthday my friend Peggy organized a trip for us to go see bears at Frasier Lake, on Kodiak island. I have to say this is one of the best ways to spend ones birthday. The most bears we saw at any one point where 9 adults and 3 spring cubs. The moma bear and the cubs walked up to us at one point and got with-in about 20 or 30 feet of us; it was way cool. Anyway, here are some of the pictures from that event.

Bears in Kodiak 2008

Road Trip to Alaska

2008-06-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

Photos of my road trip to Kodiak Alaska from California.

On the Road to Kodiak