Monday, July 6, 2009

Kodiak Island

Kodiak Island is Alaska's version of the Emerald Island. It's a well deserved nickname for the island a couple hundred miles south of Anchorage in the Gulf of Alaska. My trip there landed me at a doctor's home who rented out a downstairs bedroom and bath. The location is a little off the beaten track and not a location the average person would find.


The yellow SUV is my vehicle when I'm working at remote airports. Aircraft radio, flashing lights, and lots of power to get in and around in muddy places.


Paths are scattered through the forest around the bed and breakfast, giving you beautiful places to enjoy the wilderness. Two things you have to watch for are bears and moose. The Kodiak Brown Bear is a big bear and is very common. You carry noise makers and pepper spray as you walk.

Because our summers are short with very long days, everything that is going to grow does so quickly. Mosses on trees and trails are thick and green. Mosses make great pads for tents pitched in the woods. Of course they are also full of all sorts of bugs, ants, spiders, etc. No snakes or worms though. Don't have them here.


If you're very quiet as you walk a hawk just might sit still long enough for you to snap a photo.

The Buskin River spills into the Gulf of Alaska. All types of salmon, trout and other fish call this river home and fishermen love it. Subject to large tidal inflows the river is fast and cold. It is also home to bear fishing for their dinner. So if you're fishing you might end up sharing your fishing hole with a four footed fisherman.


The Buskin River also borders the Kodiak Airport Runway. Trying to protect the river and its habitat and still keep the airport safe for aircraft is a full time job that presents lots of headaches in the summer.
Low tide and tide pools. At low tide razor sharp shale and tide pools are exposed. Walking through the pools requires a lot of balance and planning to keep from slipping on the seaweed and ending up soaking wet and cold.


Lakes are numerous, with their own float planes, docks, and good fishing. A large sand bar and rock wall separates this lake from the ocean.

1 comment:

Alaskan Dave Down Under said...

Nice rig! How often do you get to use the spinners?

Kodiak looks very pretty.