Wolf Call

Yesterday was a very cold day.  The high never got above -20.  Everyone was bundled and cars were having a hard time starting.  Eveyone pretty much stayed indoors.  The cold air turned all the trees and bushes and shrubs white with a very thick frost.  Buildings crackled in the cold.  I tried to walk down by the river today to get some pictures of the river but I turned around when my cheeks got too cold and my dog was trying to float in the air instead of walk on the cold road.  It was tator tot Friday so a few of us went over to Eddies for lunch.  It was pretty quiet there too.  I thought my whole day was going to be pretty boring but the last thing I did before going to bed was take my dog out one last time.  As she was sniffing the ground I heard a very strange noise.  At first I did not know what it was.  Then I realized a wolf as howling in the distance.  A few seconds later the howl was answered and then I heard numerous calls and yips.  Somewhere out in the tundra a pack of wolves were playing in the cold.  I listened until I could no longer stand the cold and the sound faded.  It was a great way to end the day.

Testing the River

I had an interesting talk with our pilot yesterday.  I went to see him to ask if he could land the plane at Brooks Camp yet so I could go do a Christmas Day Bird Count out there.  To get to Brooks Camp in the summer you land on floats in the water.  To land in the winter the river and lake need to be frozen and then the plane lands on large, fat tundra tires.  But the river has to be frozen.  Before I left to go to MN the river was still open.  But since I have been gone the temperature has been below zero and not been above it.  So I was hoping the river was frozen by now.

I was told that the pilot would test the river on Tuesday morning and if it is frozen he would come back for me and take me out there.  I started wondering how he was going to check the river so I asked.  He said it was very scientific.  First he gets three 25 pound rocks and loads them into the plane.  Next he flies over the river, opens the door and tosses out the rocks.  If the rocks bounce on the ice he can land the plane.  If they go through the ice we can't count birds at Brooks Camp.  Very scientific indeed.  Lets hope the rocks bounce.

I did go to Lake Camp yesterday and there was a small patch of open water with 11 common mergansers floating in the water.  Die hard waterfowl refusing to go south.  I love it.

I'm Back

Hello dedicated followers.  I am sorry that you have not seen a post for a few days.  I had a family emergency and was back in the lower 48.  I am back in Alaska.  While down in MN it was unusually warm for December.  Recorded highs were being broken and every one was talking about global warming.  Those that like the warmer weather were enjoying it being warm and the grass turning green.  Those, like me who like the cold and the snow thought everything was depressing.  But I am back in beautiful Alaska where things are covered in snow and frost and the temperature is -21.  It is good to be home.

I have been greeted at work with some animal sightings which I love.  Out at Lake Camp four river otters were seen playing on the ice.  And of course the Law Enforcement people who are flying around the park to prevent poaching of moose had to tell me about the moose they are seeing.  They are so sweet.  I am told that there is a mother and two calves hanging out on Pike Ridge which is a hiking trail about six miles from here.  If the weather was above zero I might be inclined to go for a long hike to see if I could find the little family but a long hike in below zero weather seems a bit much.  I am not sure I want to see a moose that bad. 

So it is back to working on grant proposals and paperwork.  The office is very quiet with a lot of people taking the week off to be with families.  The quiet is good.  It lets me concentrate harder to write better and hopefully get more money to do ore fun stuff.

Unexpected Trip Home

Hello, I am sorry about missing a couple of days.  I have had to rush home for a family emergency.  So I was home four days and flew back to Anchorage then home to Minnesota.  Flights around Alaska are never dull as we had strong winds the day I flew out.  The flight was so rough that even the flight attendant said the this is a rough one and immediately sat down and buckled herself in.  That was not comforting to say the least.  I wasn't sure I was going to make it to Anchorage.  When I got off the plane, the gate person went "Mrs. Anderson we just put you on this damn plane".

Four hours in the Anchorage airport than on to Portland.  I arrived in Portland had 20 minutes to get to my next flight.  I made it, no problem.   Arrived in Minnesota but my suitcases did not.  There were not even showing up on their computer scene.   I filed my claim and left the airport.  I had just spent 19 hours in airports and flying.  I was exhausted.  We went to bed early only to be awaken at midnight by the courier who was to deliver my suitcase.  I was informed that they would be delivering my suitcase at 2 am and I needed to be there to sign for them.  Are you kidding me was my response.  I told them to deliver them first thing in the morning.  they arrived at noon the next day, after two very angry phone calls upon which I learned they had arrived at the airport at 5pm the night before.  What horrible service Delta airlines has.  If it had been Alaska air I would have gotten 2000 miles added to my account.  Delta gave me a little bag with a toothbrush that sucked, toothpaste, a comb and a razor.  Merry Christmas!

Air Dropped Fish

So I promised you another mystery story form Katmai and here it is.  In 1956 a fishing guide and bush pilot decided that he would transport 20 arctic char from Lake Idavain to the lake inside Kaguyak crater.  Idavain lake is part of the Naknek drainage.  Kaguyak crater is off the pacific coast.  It is one of two volcanic craters that contain lakes in Katmai.  The other one is Katmai Crater itself.  Off he flew and as he passed over the crater he dropped 20 fish.

In 1963 this pilot told this story to a biologist who went out the next year to see if the arctic char survived.  He did not find arctic char but he did find dolly varden a different char species.  The Kaguyak crater does not have a stream or river flowing out of it and dolly varden are a river fish that like to go and visit the ocean then come back.  Yet this biologist found 9 specimen.  To this date no one else has ever surveyed the lake.  A number of biologist have argued over whether any char species exist in the lake.  The story from the pilot was quoted as a personal communication in 1969 but in 2007 biologist said this is a local myth or native lore.

Which is it?  I don't know, that is why it is a mystery but I am writing a grant proposal to see if I can find out.  I could have a lot of fun this summer if I get all these grants.

A Mystery at Hand

As the wildlife biologist at Katmai National Park, my job is to decide what needs to be studied or monitored based on the knowledge I have.  Which right now that isn't a lot.  But I have discovered two mysteries so I thought I would spend a couple of days and tell you about them.

Back in the middle of the 1850's the Russians started trading furs in Alaska.  They started in the Aleutian Islands then moved to the peninsula and the Kenai peninsula and finally the southeast.  When they had depleted the resources they brought in fox.  By 1910 any island that they could reach by boat they placed arctic fox.  Red foxes were all ready on some near shore islands but arctic foxes did much better in the island habitats.  Also the arctic fox has a recessive gene for blue fur.  It was this bluish fur that made their skins so valuable. 

From 1910 -1940 fox farms were all over and very successful.  But in 1936 biologist realized that the bird populations of these fox farm islands were disappearing and it was the fox that were eating them that were making them disappear, some all most to extinction.  So policy changed.

From 1940 to 2002 foxes were eradicated from the thirty nine islands.  They used poisons to kill the fox.  In 2002, people were upset about the way the foxes were being killed so methods changed.  Today I know of three islands that had fox permits off the Katmai coast that are considered part of the park.  What I don't know is if the fox were eradicated. 

One island Takli, was permitted for fox farming but Alaska Fish and Game thinks that the person who owned the permit used it to hide his illegal trapping.  Two of the islands were successful farms.  I can not find any records of eradication on any of the three islands.  So do we have arctic fox that should not belong on our islands?  It is a mystery.  One I would like to solve.  Tomorrow I will tell you an interesting fish story.

The Chinook is Here

We are going through our second chinook of the month.  What they are is strong warm air winds.  The temperature is 38 degrees right now but the winds are blowing at 50 mph with gust up to 75 to 100 mph.  They blow warm air.  I know 38 doesn't sound warm but it is for here.  These winds blow so that doors rattle and the wind hitting the side of the house sounds like a train just crashed into it. 

If the weather continues like the last one that kept me in Anchorage for 4 extra days, today will be very windy.  Then it will rain turning everything into a large ice rink, then the temp will drop and the rain will turn into snow.  Very wet heavy snow and with the wind still blow and  it will become a blizzard.  When everything quiets down we will have a large amount of snow on the ground above a layer of ice.  Makes walking so nice.

Day in the Office

Yesterday was my first day back after being in Anchorage for 10 days.  I walked to work in the beautiful dark sky filled with all kinds of stars.  I actually saw two falling stars.  I got to work and noticed a pile of papers on my desk and a large box.  What could it be.  I opened the box first, new uniforms had arrived. Moose survey paperwork lay on my desk.  I looked them over.  Only one attempt at surveys in all the time I have been gone.  Well at least I may get to do one. 

Next up emails.  There were 106 emails awaiting my return.  First I deleted all the ones that meant nothing.  Had one spam that I had to forward to regional office.  Then I started answering the others.  An hour later I finished and then it was off to a meeting with the boss.  We talked about Anchorage, talked projects and made a few decisions about projects.  Another hour and half gone.  I then went to work on my grant proposals that are due in tomorrow.  I realized that I had a lot of work in front of me.   One of the grant proposal are with other parks so we had a conference call to talk about the project.  Which was completely changed by the time the phone call was over.  Back to the start for that one and I had that one finished.  Oh well.

Time to get back to writing only the boss called a department meeting.  Yeah team.  That took the rest of the day.  I hardly wrote two words and I have four proposals due by Friday.  Not good.  I was told though that the best proposals are done just under the bell.  I hope that is so. 

Back Home

After four days of trying I am back home.  It feels good.  They got a lot of snow here to so I looks wonderful.  I took a long walk last night and it felt so good and it was great to get away from all the people and the traffic of Anchorage.  Now it is back to my two legs and fresh air.  Ten days in Anchorage and no moose.  I am beginning to think those creatures don't exist.

Winter Travel In Bristol Bay

I was suppose to leave Anchorage last Saturday at 4:30 pm.  At 4:30 we were told they had to wait for a flight crew before we could board.  5:00 waiting for a flight crew.  6:30 waiting for flight crew.  6:40 flight crew arrives.  6:50  flight canceled due to bad weather in King Salmon.  Next available seat is Monday 4:30 pm but I was on stand by with 35 other people.  Sunday morning no room.  Sunday night flight canceled due to weather in Anchorage.  Monday morning we are in a blizzard in Anchorage.  Monday afternoon storm clears out I go back to the airport again.  4:30  no news.  5:00 I get to board the plane to King Salmon.  One hour 20 minutes later we are making our decent into King Salmon when the plane makes a right turn and heads out over Bristol Bay.  The navigation system in King Salmon has failed and the plane cannot land.  We are diverted to Dillingham.  We spend 1 and 1/2 hours in Dillingham then board the plane.  Another 20 minutes to de-ice the plane.  15 minutes later we fly over King Salmon again but can not land as the fog is now too thick to land.  Where am I?  Back in Anchorage.  I am not sure if I saw a moose right now it would make me happy.

Becoming a Snowman

Not much happened in Anchorage today.  I spent the day reading and writing a grant proposal to study arctic foxes that were an  introduced species on the islands off the Katmai shore.  Then at about 1:30 pm I decided that I would walk over to get lunch.  It was lightly snowing until I walked out the door.  Then the wind picked up and the snow fell heavily.  By the time I got to the restaurant  I was covered in white flakes.  I grabbed a quick lunch and headed back to my room and this time I looked like a walking snowman.  My blue jacket was white.  My brown hair was covered in a pile of snow.   As I walked down the hall to my room snow fell off me in clumps.  I knew that I would be spending another night in Anchorage.  I was right all flights were either cancelled or delayed the rest of the day.

I saw nothing but cars.  I am not sure where all the people have come from.  Alaska doesn't have that big of population but the road was bumper to bumper traffic.  Maybe it is just the holidays that is bringing the people out.  But I thought I left all that noise and mess back in the 48.  I miss King Salmon.  The ravens were out flying around trying to find scraps of food in the restaurant parking lot.  They squawked at me looking for handouts.  Other than that not much else went on.  I am hoping to go home tomorrow.

A Day at the Airport

What a long day.  I checked out of my hotel at noon and went to the airport.  Got there about noon my flight didn't leave until 4:30.  Anchorage airport may be a fun place to hang out if you are flying to the lower 48 but it isn't so exciting if you are flying to the bush.  I went to check in and was told I could not do that until 12:30 but they let me weigh my suitcase and tote box.  My tote box weighed 56 pounds and my suitcase weighed 47 pounds.  So I had to rearrange things.  Inside my tote I had 8 pounds of butter to take home.  This was an easy fix I took six pounds of butter.  I put three pounds in my suitcase and three pounds in my back pack.  Problem solved then I waited until 12:30 to check in.  When I checked in my tote box weighed 52.5 pounds and my suitcase weighed 48 pounds.  Not sure what happened to the scales in that 20 minutes but they need to get that fixed.

I sat and read a book for four hours with a quick dash to the snack shop for supper.  At 4:30 we were told that we would be delayed for 30 minutes as they had to wait for a flight crew.  There 13 of us flying to King Salmon and a full plane of people on another flight heading to Dillingham.  Five minutes later they canceled the Dillingham flight.  5:00 came and they announced they were still looking for a flight crew.  5:30 our crew has arrived as soon as they are on the plane we will get you all aboard so that you can go home.  Ahuh.  Yep, ten minutes late our flight was canceled because of weather.  Great!  We were told that we could fly standby tomorrow with 30 other people from three canceled flights earlier in the day.  Or we could book the next available seat.  Monday night.

I called my boss to see what I should do.  I was told to book the next available seat but try to get on a flight sooner if possible.  So that is what I did.  I booked the flight for Monday night and I said I would fly standby if possible.  I also asked if they were putting us up in a hotel for night.  I was told that the answer was no.  Reason being the flight was canceled because of weather.  But I retorted that we were delayed an hour because of your lack of a flight crew.  If you had a flight crew we may have been able to get home. But Now an hour and half later we have no flight.  So the ladies at the counter agreed and called their boss and explained the situation, that person agreed but could not make the decision so she would call her supervisor. Whom we learned was at the Pen Air Christmas Party. An hour later we were finally told that no Pen Air would not be putting us up for the night as we were cancelled for weather and that is not their responsibility.

So I called the hotel I left earlier in the day and got a room for the next two nights.  Sucks!  I was ready to go home,  Well, maybe the moose planned it and they will make an appearance before I leave.  I would like that.
















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Last Minutes in Anchorage

I spent yesterday in meetings and running errands for the office.  I was all over Anchorage.  I drove by parks, through downtown, and in all the running around, I can't say that I saw any wildlife.  I had lunch with an Anchorage resident from work and was told that there was no one place that you could go and see moose they just showed up.  She did tell me that even brown bears will eventually turn up in the alleys of town looking for food.  So I kept watch last night thinking how cool it would be to tell everyone that I did not see a moose but a brown bear walked by.  But I can't even tell you I saw anything that cool.

When I studied Alaska before moving up here I was told that Anchorage was 20 minutes from Alaska.  I thought it was funny but in reality it is true.  Here in Anchorage you can eat a large variety of foods, buy what ever you need, not that it can shipped to King Salmon but you can still buy it.  Prices are much lower than King Salmon but still expensive when compared to the lower 48.  There are four lane highways to get you from one side of town to the other.  People are everywhere.  But when you think of Alaska as the last pure wilderness of the United States don't think Anchorage.  I am looking forward to going back to King Salmon and the quiet and peace and getting out of this city.

So I am packing up the groceries and clothes and getting ready to head back.  I did not see a moose.  I did not see an eagle.  The most enjoyable time I had in my spare time was the trip to the native gift shop.  Which if you are traveling to Anchorage you should go to.  I still have about 8 hours left so maybe the moose will feel generous and make an appearance.

What a Day!!

I hate to be boring but I went for a walk today.  I walked around this little lake that is surrounded by pine and birch forest.  It had mountains in the background that were covered in snow.  I spent my lunch hour walking around the lake.  My eyes peeled for something.  I saw a raven fly over head.  He called as flew by.  A lonely, single cry.   I met other walkers with their dogs.  I saw a few trees that had been beaver chewed.  What I did not see was a moose.  How sad is that.

The rest of my day was spent learning about the fact that shorebirds are disappearing.  11 to 29 species are disappearing in the Midwest, 22 to 30 species are disappearing in the north Atlantic.  In Alaska we have 20% of the worlds shorebirds.  Yet even we are seeing declining numbers.  One of the problems is that we don't have enough information about the birds that fly thousand of miles just to build nest, lay eggs and raise chicks then fly back south. I did learn that Alaska biologists and Russian biologist are doing great work at trying to figure out what we don't know.  I am hoping I can do that too at Katmai.  But first I have to figure out what shorebirds we have and since they won't be around till May I will have to keep trying to find that elusive moose.

Moose and Native Traditions

The moose report for today is brief.  No moose.  Applebees parking lot has been empty.  To be fair to the moose I have not have the time to actually look for them.  Today I had a meeting with the biologists who study land birds in Alaska.  Very interesting day, better than statistics.

I did get a moose report from Katmai.  My partners are trying to get the moose surveys done for me while I am gone.  Today I got a report from the office.  On Monday the pilot and my partners went up and with in two hours into the survey team ran into ice fog.  A fog so thick they had to turn back.   Tuesday they were set to go and the pilot got called into jury duty.  Today, bad weather.  But in the two hours they were in the air on Monday they saw 25 moose and two of the bulls only had one antler.  Things are not looking good for moose work.  They did see two groups of caribou.  Yeah!  Not sure I really have enthusiasm behind that yeah.  I want to see the moose and the caribou.

At lunch today my friend took me to the Native Hospital to visit their gift shop.  If you are ever in Anchorage don't miss this shop.  It is small but everything in it is made by the native tribes.  Everything in the shop is absolutely beautiful.  There are ivory carvings, handmade jewelry, wall hangings and moccasins and mittens made from a variety of animal furs.  There were three small trees that were covered with homemade ornaments made with fur.  I could have spent a fortune.  I bought a wonderful seal fur ornament in the shape of an angel.

I looked at other things and fell in love with a hand carved jewelry  box.  The only problem with this little shop is that they only take cash or checks and I had $25 in cash and no check book.  Be sure if you visit and I wouldn't miss it if I were you, take lots of cash.  While I was paying for my purchase I was talking to the clerk and I found out that items made of fur are going to be rare items in the future as not many of the natives are tanning hides any more and the children don' t seem to be interested in the art form.  It is so sad as this has been a way of life for the tribal community for centuries.  We should be worried about these lost cultures because once they are gone, we can't get them back.  I know there are people out there who think this is horrible that we kill animals for clothes or art work but we could learn so much on how to live in harmony with nature from tribal cultures.  They honor the creatures of world, not exploit them or worse ignore them.  By the way, there were lots of things made of moose hides there.

What is Your Moose Story

Nope, no moose sighting for me today.  Day two of statistics class which if I could figure out how to write the code I have to admit is going to make my job easier.  But I went to class when it was dark and I got done when it was dark and I hardly glanced at a window.  The only thing I saw was my computer screen.

However, I did hear a lot of moose stories today.  It started with a woman who missed yesterdays class and had come straight from the airport.  She said that she checked out her rental car and was exiting the airport when a huge bull moose appeared at the side of the road and followed right next to her car.  She was afraid that it was going to attack the car.  From that story came the one about the women staying at a hotel across the street who said that she had seen one last year in the hotel parking lot.  From there I was told about the moose that frequent the marine trail.  Well, I walked that trail last month and didn't see any sign of moose.

After I got back to the hotel, I reached for the paper and stretched out to check out the news.  On page A-10 was a picture of a moose seen Monday grazing in the cemetery.  At the end of the caption was this web site adn.com/moose where people have posted their moose stories.  Not all are pleasant.  Seems the area moose are not friendly to the neighbors.  Then on the last page of the paper in big letters it asked me "HAVE YOU GOT YOUR MOOSE CALENDAR YET?"

Seems everyone but me has a moose story.

Got Moose

I would love to tell you that yesterday was great but I can't.  I spent the day studying statistics and I hate math.  And for the report you all have been waiting for.

I saw a moose head on the wall in the hotel.
I saw pretty blue lighted moose for Christmas on the BP lawn.
I saw a moose crossing the next three miles sign
I heard on the radio that there were no accidents or slowdowns this morning but be sure to watch out for that occasional moose!
My meeting is at the Alaska Pacific University which is a gorgeous campus, surrounded by birch and pine trees,  and has a lake.  It is beautiful but no moose.  Did see 35 dogs running around the lake.
Went by the Applebees parking lot - twice- NO MOOSE!
I sat in my hotel room glancing outside often and no moose.

So far all I can tell you is it is a pain to drive or walk in Anchorage in the winter.  Not a thrilling report.  Good thing DQ is down the street and the candy cane bliss blizzards are divine.

Come Out, Come Out, Where Ever You Are?

Yesterday I spent most of the day trying to get to Anchorage and my hotel.  My flight to Anchorage from King Salmon was suppose to leave at 8:55 am.  But we had lots of rain that turned into wet heavy snow during the night and they were trying to get the runways cleared when I checked in.  Anchorage was having very high winds with gust of 100 mph.  I was told to come back by 10:00 am.  I was there at 10 but no plane.  It arrived at 10:50.  There were only four of us flying into Anchorage so all formality went out the window and we laughed as we got on the plane.

The runway was far from smooth and I thought for a second that we would slide off the runway as the plane slid as we gathered speed for takeoff.  Once in the air we rocked and rolled until we got high enough for the winds not to be a factor.  We got on a full airplane as most of the passengers were flying to Dillingham from Anchorage so we had a stop to make.  I had never been to Dillingham so I was excited to see some new Alaska territory.  It wasn't that great.  Dillingham was covered with ice and lots of it.  It looked like that was all it was-ice.  We landed and everyone got out and no one got on.  We (the four of us from King Salmon) were asked to move to the last two rows of the plane to keep the weight of the plane stable.  Another first for me.

The flight to Anchorage was problem free until we started to descend and of course got into the wind.  This is my second flight into Anchorage and both times I felt like I was on a roller coaster that may never quit.  Finally on the ground we walked to the gate.  You have to fly Pen Air  to get to King Salmon in the winter and Pen Air has no inside jetways to get you from the plane to the terminal so we had to venture across the tarmac to building walking head first into the wind.

I managed to get my luggage and my shuttle to the hotel with no problems and I was excited as Applebees is about a half a block from my hotel.  I searched the parking lot for the moose that were suppose to be there as we drove by but no sign of any.  I checked in and my room overlooks a park full of birch trees.  I am assuming these are woods that the moose of Applebees come from.  I have a perfect spot to catch them.  So all I can say now is come out , come out where ever you are moose.

Where Did the Ice Go?

Yesterday we had 50 mph winds blowing all day long.  It rained on and off all day.  In the morning the rain made the ice slippery than heck and with the wind you basically sailed down the road.  By the afternoon all the ice was gone and the streets were just a muddy mess.  Since yesterday was my last day with a vehicle I decided that Craig and I should drive to Bristol Bay Beach and see if we could find any walruses. 

About a month ago we had a strong storm that caused a huge storm surge.  A couple of the neighbors and I went to go and see the beach and it was impressive.  12 foot waves crashed onto the shore.  With high tide, the water had risen over 38 feet.  It was unbelievable.  The following week we had temperature below zero all week long.  So Craig and I went to see what the beach looked like.  Everything was frozen.  You could hardly see any open water in the Naknek River or Bristol Bay.  I was shocked that it froze so quickly.  These last four days we have had temperatures above freezing and the last two days lots of rain.  So I wasn't sure what to expect when we got to the beach.

The mouth of Naknek River was wide open.  The bay itself was all open water with icebergs floating in it.  The beach had huge, I mean huge, boulders of ice lying around.  They were over six feet tall and six to eight feet across.  The tide was low so there was about a quarter mile of mud flat before you reached water.  I wanted to walk out to one of the beached icebergs but with all the rain you really would  have sunk in the mud and I have heard stories about people who get so stuck they have to fly in helicopters to pull them out and some people drown because the rescuers don't get there before high tide and the people drown standing in the mud.  I didn't take the chance but it was quite the site.  Every where you looked were stranded icebergs.

We didn't see any wildlife, except a couple of ravens but the icebergs were impressive enough.  It was something to see.  Now I am off to Anchorage.

Moose Plans

For those of you who are regular followers you know that I have been trying to see a moose anywhere in Alaska.  I am suppose to be flying moose surveys right now looking for them in the air but the weather hasn't cooperated in the least.  So it is time to make a plan.  I am going to Anchorage tomorrow.  I have been told by many people that Anchorage is the place to see moose, though I was there for a week a month ago and didn't see any. The place to see them is the Applebees parking lot, so I have been told.  Tomorrow I go for another week.  I have two days of statistics training, 2 days of attending the Boreal Partners in Flight yearly meetings and then a day of working in the regional office.

The plan is to rondevu at Applebees every night until a moose is spotted.  I will be keeping a close eye everywhere for  the elusive creatures.  I am going to hike trails and scour parking lots.  I am not coming home with out seeing a moose.  Do you hear that moose I will find you!

Unpredictable Weather!

So no moose survey yesterday.  It was windy in the morning than it got windier.  Than the snow fell.  Great big, wet, heavy snow.  It was so beautiful.  30 minutes later that snow had turned to rain.  Huge raindrops falling at huge amounts.  Now with our ground frozen the rain had no place to go so it just pooled up.  Then of course to be nice mother nature dropped the temps back below freezing so by the time I walked home from work it was a sheer ice rink all the way home.  As the night went on it was  little sleet, little rain and a little snow.  It was enough to drive you crazy. 

NOAA the supposedly experts of weather said we would have an accumulation of and inch or two on the ground this morning but no go.  It looks like it might be misting outside I will have to wait and see when I open the door.  It is below freezing so it is a good thing I bought the ice grippers for my boots otherwise I would be falling all over the place.  It is my guess that the moose have their hoofs on the weather dial and are laughing it up turning it right and left.

The Weather is Not Cooperating

Today our park pilot gets back.  Yeah!!!! That means the fun gets to start up again.  First on the agenda moose surveys.  I am suppose to be out looking for moose right now while they are gathered together and the bulls have not lost their racks yet.  At the beginning of the week we had wonderfully perfect weather to go look for moose.  There was lots of fresh snow fall that makes viewing for moose in the air so much easier.  The skies were clear and there was no wind.  Perfect flying conditions except for one thing, our pilot has been gone for the entire month and gets back tomorrow. 

Yesterday of course, it warmed up to 40 degrees, melting all our beautiful snow.  There were strong winds all day with gusts up to 50 mph.  So awful conditions for moose surveys and for flying.  I did get a report that the Alaska Fish and game had surveyed two of my transects and counted 93 moose on one and 114 on another.  I wanted to verify those numbers.  But today the weather is iffy because there is still rain and freezing rain in the forecast and gust up to 40 miles an hour.  So who knows.

I was so depressed when I got home yesterday because of the weather.  I went upstairs to change out of my work clothes and looked out my window.  I saw large tracks going into the woods behind my house but from the upstairs window I couldn't tell what they were.  I called Craig in and asked him if he had walked into the woods.  Nope was his reply.  He then smiled and said maybe it was a moose.  That did not make me feel better and I had to hurry outside to see just what had made the tracks.  Well, it wasn't a moose.  I can't tell you how upset I would have been if a moose crossed my back yard and I didn't get to see it.  The tracks were from a large dog that has been lurking around the neighborhood.  Not even anything interesting. 

I got an email from the biologist at the Fish and Wildlife office telling me wolves were everywhere and asked if I wanted to meet to plan our trapping them in February.  I of course said yes.  At least it would be more interesting than spending my day in front of my computer.  Do you think the moose have some control in the weather just to keep me from seeing them?

The Competition Thickens

The competition for the best christmas display has gotten tougher.  The bank has placed garland and lights around every window.  I haven't been inside but I thought I glanced a tree inside as I walked by.  The AC and Eddies haven't gotten into the spirit yet but the post office is really kicking it up a notch.  Yesterday when I went to get the mail, lights had been hung around the outside of the building and leaning on the outside wall was a lighted train and in the corner a lighted mailbox.  Inside the table used to hold priority boxes was cleared off and a green table cloth was spread over it.  A container of candy canes sat on the counter.  I wonder if they are trying to bribe the customers. 

Money, Money, Money

So as the wildlife biologist for Katmai I have a lot of things I would like to study.  I would love to fly around in a helicopter looking for trumpeter swans that may be wintering in the park.  I would love to take a boat ride up our coast and look for raptors.  I would love to spend about a week at Novarupta and see what animals have returned to the area because last summer I got reports that there were hares there and that is the first recording of hares since the eruption in 1912.  I would love to go to Aniakchak and start studying the caribou or the moose or the bear population since they have not been done since 1984 and then only in the caldera.  But to do that takes money and lots of it. 

This week is budget week.  Each national park gets a base amount of money and then each department gets a junk of that then projects get decided.  I have some projects that have to be done for instance the camera project that takes pictures of bear and people density on the lower falls platform.  This number is used to decide where the bridge goes and how many seasonal staff may be required to get people across.  I also have to do annual moose surveys as they help keep track of how many can be hunted. 

Nationally all the park biologist compete for additional funding to do their projects.  Proposals for that are due the end of the Dec.  I am currently working on four for that.  A swan survey, as trumpeters have been seen in Katmai and that is an extension of their range and I would like to see if it is just a rare occurrence or a major shift.  I want to study wolverines so I am writing a proposal to do that, my boss wants me to look into doing a project to study the invasive animal species that may exist in the park.  For instance in the early 1900's fox farms were found all along our coast on the islands.  He wants to know if we have farmed fox relatives in our fox population.  And last but not least I want to get a citizen science app for peoples IPhone and Ipads so that when they visit the park they can record animal sightings with the app and help me collect more data.  Wouldn't that be awesome!!!  I could make all of you part of my biological team.  Of course that takes money.  Keep your fingers crossed that we get some of pot.  Or that I find a rare money tree growing in the tundra.

Looking for Wildlife

Yesterday Craig and I went on a drive.  We have our neighbors car for another week so we thought we would take advantage of it.  We drove down to Lake Camp which is ten miles away.  We watched for moose, caribou and wolves as we drove.  We were just about there when I spotted a large bald eagle in a tree next to the road.  We stopped got out and took some pictures.  It was a good find as he was a beautiful eagle.

Lake camp was pretty desolate.  No animals, no boats, and no people.  Just ice and snow and hare tracks.  We took a little walk hoping to see something but we were all by ourselves.  We decided that maybe we should go to dock and check out the river.  Again, not much going on in the way of wildlife.  There was a man out ice fishing on the river and he caught a very small fish while we were watching but not anything spectacular.  On the way back to the car we saw a red fox lying in a box in the back of a pick up.  It is trapping season here so we figure someone was checking their lines and the fox was the catch of the day.  It was a beautiful creature.  Now it will be someones hat or mittens to keep them warm in the below freezing temps. 

Not much was seen but it was nice to get out of the house as it was the first time in weeks we have been above zero.

Timely Mail Delivery

Back in September my granddaughter was selling magazines so I ordered a couple of them to support her school.  One of the magazines was just a typical woman's magazine that I love to read around the holidays for new ideas.  I got my first issue yesterday.  I was so excited until I opened it and the main title said "How to put fun in your Halloween".   Yep, I got my Oct. 17th issue.  So I guess I can expect my Christmas issue around Valentines Day. 

So I got to thinking how late is everyone elses mail?  I have been picking up the neighbors mail for her while she is gone and she got 2 magazines and the New York Times.  One magazine was The Weekly which was dated Nov. 20th so that is only a week late.  Her other one was dated for the 25th.  Yeah post office almost to the date.  Her New York Times dated the 20th.  Maybe my subscriptions will eventually get to me in the right month at least.  Another lesson learned in the bush, news does not travel fast.

Let the Competition Begin!

 Now that Thanksgiving is over it is time for the King Salmon annual Christmas decorating contest.  There is a business division and a residential division.  Last years winner in the business division was the post office.  This is serious business.  I went to get the mail yesterday and both people who run the office were busy as beavers hanging wreaths in all the windows.  There are glittering snowflakes hanging from the ceiling.  Lots of them.  There was a huge Santa in the corner.   They had hung twinkling stars around the poles outside.  This was all done by eleven am.  I am sure they are not finished yet.

Today I am going to a Christmas card making party.  I hear this is an annual event that is huge with all the women in town.  I even got an email on how it all works as you had to sign up for this ahead of time. I have not seen other decorations going up yet but I am interested in seeing what evolves.  I haven't seen anyone with Christmas trees for sale like you would see everywhere in the lower 48 but then again we are surrounded by spruce trees.  I, myself, just don't feel right about cutting down a spruce tree as the growing season is so short and it takes forever for the trees to grow. 

I have hung some lights around my window and I have a small artificial tree in the corner.  I usually go all out for Christmas that I could, maybe, be in the running for residential leader but all of my decorations are in the lower 48 with my husband.  So I guess I will be just an observer this year.   But next year.....

Black Friday in the Bush

All over the country people are rushing to stores for bargains for the holidays.  I just read 20 people were injured Walmart with  pepper spray during the opening this morning.  It is a madhouse trying to get to the items you want.  My sister in MN said she lasted 10 minutes than gave up.  Here in the bush things are quite the opposite.  It's 8am and by this time of day I have at least seen lights on in the neighbors houses not to mention a car or two.  But this morning it is still as can be out there.  I took the dog out and no one seems to be up yet.  I think they are all trying to digest all the food they ate from yesterday, like me.

Food may be expensive here but there was no lack of it yesterday.  We had a huge buffet to choose from and I just took small spoonfuls of everything but there was still so many choices that I stuffed myself.  It just made me sleepy so except for the fact that I missed my family, it was a wonderful day.  We will be eating left overs for a while.  Not sure what is going on around town as it is still totally dark.  Sunrise is after 10 am.  But I don't think I will read about anyone being peppered sprayed today.

Happy Thanksgiving Alaska Style

Today is Thanksgiving!  I usually make a huge feast for my large family but it is only Craig and I this year.  Not that I am not cooking just not as much.  I bought my groceries for our meal while in Anchorage and that I am thankful for that.  My turkey cost 78 cents a pound, here it would have cost me $2.78 a pound.  My potatoes were $3 for ten pounds here about triple.  My pumpkin was $1 for one small can here almost 4.  One pound of butter for my baking was $2 in Anchorage here $4.50.  Cooking a huge feast here could add up quick. It would not give me much money left to spend on black Friday (the largest shopping day in the US).  Wait I can only shop at the AC.  I can buy a body pillow for $99 or maybe a $5 dollar bag of holiday candy for $17.  Ahhhh life in the bush.

What do King Salmon residents do on Thanksgiving?  Not really sure but at ten this morning there is a turkey trot walk/run of six miles.  Not sure I want to participate in -19 degree temps but we will see.  We are heading to the neighbors for dinner at 2.  I was asked to go to my bosses house also where they are having moose and turkey for dinner.  We won't be watching any football as pregame starts here at 8 in the morning.  Maybe after dinner we will go look for wildlife.  Who knows I just plan on relaxing and enjoying friends and family for the day.  May your day be filled with things that bring you Joy.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Cold Day to Become an Alaskan

Today the temperature with the wind chill was - 60 degrees.  Wind were blowing 50 mph all day.  You could not be outside long without something freezing.  So what do you do on such a day?  You go get your driver license. 

When I moved from Minnesota to Louisiana and I went to get my new license all I had to do was turn over the Minnesota one and pay $21 and smile and I had a Louisiana License.  Not that simple in Alaska.  First there is a questionnaire you must fill out.  Next a test is printed out for you to take.  It contains 20 questions and you need to get 16 right to pass.  I got 18.  Not sure what questions I got wrong but my test was full of penalty questions about what happens to you when you don't follow the laws and I really didn't study that but the laws themselves.  Silly me.  But I am glad I passed.

Next in the process is you have to show your birth certificate.  You would think that would be enough.  Nope, next you have to show your social security card.  Not done yet, next you have to show proof of residency by showing them a utility bill with your name and address on it.  Then you pay your $20 and smile and get your new license.  I am assuming all the security is because starting Jan 2013 I will be able to get the oil money that is given to all Alaskan residents but it is a lot of security for a plastic card that I carry around and don't need except to fly as I don't have a car.

Have You Seen the Wolves?

Have you seen the wolf pack that is in running around town?  That is the question everyone is asking.  For me the answer is no.  The postmaster saw one behind the building.  She just saw one.  Someone hit a wolf on the King Salmon bridge.  The King Salmon bridge is an old wood bridge that is need of repairs that crosses King Salmon Creek and it is just wide enough for two cars to pass.  So there isn't much manoeuvrability to avoid an obstacle.  Just a side note, if the King Salmon bridge were to be closed we would have no way to the post office except to cross the creek or to get to Naknek.  People are hoping it will fall apart so that the state will fix it.  But that would mean the kids here would have to be flown to Naknek for school.  Only in Alaska!

Back to the wolves.  One of the people who live on the other side of the airport said she saw 5 wolves in her front yard.  I would love to see the wolves but so far they haven't made it here.  We have been seeing a few foxes.  We had one in the back yard.  Craig went hiking and had one come up behind him then follow him on the trail for a while.  We had another sitting outside the office all day yesterday.  Then last night you could here one yip but we couldn't see it. Funny my dog barked at the snowplow but slept through the fox making noise.  Hopefully the wolf pack will visit our neighborhood soon.

The Beauty of Winter

Yesterday the snow had stopped falling and we had six more inches of fluffy white stuff on the ground.  It looked like we were in a Christmas Card.  Everything was sparkling.  Then I went outside to shovel.  Low and behold one of the neighbors were all ready out cleaning off her driveway.  I was shocked.  It was the first time I had seen someone else out doing that besides me.  She was however the only one I saw get out and shovel.  I did see a couple of four wheelers pull out of driveways and head off but just the two of us removed the snow.

I went inside when I had finished and all of the sudden my dog started barking.  I went to the window to see what had her riled up and I saw a strange creature going down the road.  It was large and powerful.  I had not seen one yet here or in Anchorage.  It was a snowplow.  Did I have you going for a few minutes?  Yes a snowplow actually went down the street.  Not once but four times.  I am shocked as I thought they didn't exist in Alaska.  I guess you have to have 6 inches of snow or more before they come out. 
One thing I am surprised by is that there are no snowmobiles out.  In MN and ND they would be out in this amount of snow.  Yet I haven't seen one.   I know they exist as I have seen them stored.  Wonder how much snow we need to have before they come out.  I am also wondering if we have enough snow for the snowshoes to come out because I would love to get out on the tundra for a hike.

What a Difference A Week Makes

Last weekend we had a strong storm go through.  Wind speeds were over 50 mph and rain, sleet and snow fell.  Then during the week the temperatures stayed below freezing.  Last week after the rain stopped we went to look at Bristol Bay as the tide was to be 8 feet over normal high tide levels.  Waves were 12 feet high.  It was amazing. 

Yesterday, Craig and I went to see what the bay looked like after our week of cold temps.  There were no 12 foot high waves as a matter of fact there were no waves at all.  The water was frozen.  You could see open water off in the distance but in our view was mostly ice.  Close to shore huge sheets of ice balanced on top of one another.  We saw a black object on the ice but far enough away that we could not make it out.  We wondered if it was a seal or walrus.  Then the snow started.  Huge flakes whirled around and you could see an ice fog forming where the ice met the open water.  It was time to go.  By the time we got home the snow was really coming down and it came down all day.  So today's plan is to shovel out.

You Have to be Tough to Live in Alaska!

Yesterday it was 3 degrees outside when I went to work.  My neighbor is in Belize until the 4th of Dec and has lent me her car to use.  Being it was chilly outside I wimped out and took her car.  I got to the office and opened the car door to be bowled over by a horrible smell.  The smell of sewage backing up somewhere.  Up the stairs and in the office and the smell followed.  I checked the bathroom and it wasn't from our office.  I wasn't sure who to call so I waited for someone else to handle the problem and I tried to ignore the smell. 

Eventually, the land lord was called and the bathrooms in the shops below had backed up.  His solution to our smell problems was to go around the building and open all the windows.  Now if you have been following me the last few days, you know that the building has been cold all week.  Now with a temperature of 3 degrees we have to work with all the windows opened.  I sat at my desk with my furry hat on my head and my down jacket on with cold feet and legs as I didn't bring snowpants as I drove to work.  I would have had my mittens on but I can't type and wear mittens so my fingers were freezing.  I tried to not stop typing so that the movement would keep them warm.  But still it has hard to concentrate between the smell and the cold.

11:30 came around and we rushed next door to Eddie's for Tator Tot Friday and warmed up in the heat of the restaraunt.  After lunch I decided that since I had worked late two nights this week I would go home early.  It was nice to be in my warm house without all my outdoor clothing on.  I love winter but there are limits to what one can stand.  I hope everything is fixed by Monday but to be safe I will take ALL of my winter gear.

Helping Me Find the Moose

Yesterday I arranged to go to Anchorage the first week in December.  I am taking a two day statistics course,  Not very excited about that but necessary.  Then I have two days of meetings with the Boreal Partners in Flight group. Should be fun as it is birding information.  Then I was asked to spend a day running errands for the office while I am in town.  Not a problem there.

The meetings are taking place on the university campus so I will need to stay in the mid-town area instead of the downtown area like last time.  So I was asking people the best places to stay and everyone said the same hotel.  Then, knowing I am constantly looking for moose, everyone was telling me where to go to make sure I see one.  Now picture the place you think you would find moose in Anchorage?  Got that picture in your mind?  Was it the Applebees parking lot?  Three different people told me to go to Applebees for dinner as there are always moose in the parking lot.  I was also told that I could find moose in the car dealship on the edge of town. 

I am a biologist.  Moose are suppose to be in the woods.  But I am desparate to see a moose.  So I am going to visit Applebees in December and see if I can see a moose.  What is the world coming to that I have to visit a restaraunt to see wildlife.

Cold Weather Outside and Freezing Inside

It has been another cold day with the wind blowing at 25 mph or more all day and the high is at 14.  But when you can't get warm in your office it is getting bad.  Our office is in a run down old building with windows that don't shut all the way, another window is covered with wood and air leaks around all the window.  We have people wearing winter coats and snowpants to keep warm.  I am lucky in the fact that my office is a cubicle in the center of the building.  I have no windows that the wind blows through.  But today I spent the entire day plus and extra hour an a half in our conference room which has the boarded up window.  Plus I was running stats with my boss all day on bear management reports. We have statistically proven that in the past 20 years the number of bears at Brooks Camp has gone up and the reports of bears being aggressive to the staff have also gone up.   Then I got even colder when I walked outside.  Not exactly the kind of Alaskan adventure I was looking for and winter is just beginning.  No wonder every one goes some place warm for vacation during the winter. I think I am going to have a hot cup of cocoa on not think of any thing dealing with numbers. 

Only in Alaska

Only in Alaska does the sun come out and the temperature drop.  Yesterday the temperature was 13 degrees when I went to work.  The wind was blowing and luckily behind my back.  I made it to work in record time.  I wonder why?  Maybe because I was trying not to get cold so I did not stop and study tracks or watch for birds or enjoy the view and the quiet.  As much as I enjoy the sound of the wind through the trees I do appreciate warmth a little bit better.

At ten am the sun arose.  Yes I said ten am.  I am losing more light everyday.  I was thinking about this on Sunday.  There is a Moose hunting season in Dec.  By that time the amount of Daylight is going to be very short.  Hunters must hope that they get their moose in the first hour of daylight or they better have a great headlamp to be slicing and carrying meat out of the woods.  Anyways, the sun cam out and the temperature dropped.  By 2 pm wind chills were -23 and the temperature was 7 degrees.  By 5pm as the sun was setting the temperature was still 7 degrees but the winds had died down some.  Wind chills were at -15.  I accepted a ride home as I would have had to walk into the wind all the way home. Over night temperatures have warmed up.  Thats right while it was dark the air warmed up.  Can you explain that to me?

Doesn't Anyone Shovel Here?

Yesterday morning I awoke to find the ground all covered in white.  I love fresh snowfalls, the way they make everything shine.  So I did what I have been doing all my life after a snowfall, I went out shoveled the driveway.  I not only shoveled my side of the driveway but my neighbors side also.  The whole time I was outside I never saw anyone else with a shovel.  I saw a couple of cars pass by but no one shoveled.  I never heard a plow go by. I got the driveway clear and went inside to get ready for work.

On my wonderful walk to work, I hardly saw a car.  I think two passed by me as I was walking.  After the storm this weekend the road had these wonderfully large patches of ice and now they were covered in snow.  Still no plow.  I did see a plow on the runway at the airport.  Thanks goodness.  I am not use to such a lack of road care.  Since a major crash here may mean months before you get your car back as pieces have to be shipped in I would think that keeping the roads clear would be important.

At lunch I took the office mail to the post office.  Still the roads had not been plowed but they had sanded the roads.  I guess that is something.  This morning the road outside is still snow covered on top of the layer of ice.  I am not sure what I am missing?  Don't they shovel snow here?  It was the same way in Anchorage.  After each snowfall you never saw a plow.  This could be a very interesting winter. 

Winter Ecology

I would like to tell you that I had an exciting day yesterday but unfortunately even in Alaska there are boring days.  I did however read a very good book called "Winter an ecological handbook" by James halfpenny and Roy Ozanne.   It was about how plants and animal and humans change and exist in winter climates.  It was quite interesting and I thought I would share some of things I learned in it with you.

the most important thing to worry about in surviving winter is food.  Throw the three meals a day plan out the window.  According to the book you should eat something every hour.  If you are going to be outside for a short time the food should be high energy.  If you are going to be outside for an extended period it should be high fat.  Another reason to love winter, you get to eat every hour.

Never stay outdoors if you are in poor health or your energy levels are low as it puts your body in a need state before exerting yourself.  

Next thing to worry about is your water balance.  We lose large amounts of water to cold dry air.  Just by breathing in cold air, warming it up in our lungs and exhaling the warm air with our moisture in it, we can lose 1 to 2 quarts of water in a day depending how active we are.  A dehydrated body is more susceptible to exposure injuries.  Who knew huh?   We should be drinking a gallon of water a day to prevent winter dehydration. 

Here is a fact I did not know when your body gets cold the digestive system shuts down.  So if you start to show signs of hypothermia you should eat chocolate as it gives the body a quick fix of sugars which can be turned into energy quickly for the body.  Tea with honey or hot chocolate also work.  So always carry a Hershey bar with you when you go outside.  Shivering is the first sign of hypothermia.

Hope these few facts help you survive your winter. 

Field Trip to the Bay

The storm has ended this morning and it is back to being quiet.  Yesterday was something else.  Strong winds blew all day long.  The power went out shortly after 7am and was out for six hours.  Rain, sleet and snow pelted the house the entire time.  The wind howled and circled around the house.  After four hours of no power and the house starting to cool off I crawled in bed and took a nap.  I woke up in time for the power to come back on.

Though we had power in the afternoon and the snow and sleet had ended the wind kept blowing.  It turned all the moisture on the ground into shear ice.  Instead of ice grippers I may need ice skates to get to work.  I live on a dirt road but with all the ice on it, it now shines like glass.  I decided that it wasn't a good day to be out so I started to bake cookies.  I had the dough made and was filling the pans with drops of delicious batter.  Trying some out of course. (bad weather does not help eat a healthy diet) when I got a call from a friend asking if I was interested in going to the bay to see the waves before the sunset.  The cookie dough was left there on the counter and I rushed to put on my gear. 

The road to the bay was sort of clear of ice.  We were the only ones on the road so we drove around the icy spots as best we could.  The wind was trying to blow our little car off the road but my friend did a great job of driving.  We got to the bay and parked the car.  I opened my door and was met with a blast of icy cold air.  We estimated that the wind was blowing about 45 mph.  You could feel the salt spray as it hit your face in icy pelts.  We had to walk against the wind down to the beach.  Walking carefully so as not to trip on the ice, I had to lean into the wind to walk.  It felt like my face was about to be wiped clean off.  I held my hat to my head and bent lower and continued walking to the beach.

Once we finally reached the beach I had to turn my back to the wind so that I could warm up my face but not for too long as the sight was to amazing.  Twelve foot waves smashed upon the beach.  With each roll you could see the land erode away.  The water was higher than I had ever seen it.  It was right at high tide.  The tide here can rise 15 to 30 feet on a normal tide but NOAA said that high tide would be eight feet higher with the storm surge.  Normally there is a nice drop to the beach as most of the shoreline is sandy cliffs but yesterday the water was over half way up the side of them.  I tried to take picture but my bare hands were freezing in the wind and water.  I put my camera away and we walked back to the car with the wind basically pushing us all the way. 

We made one more stop before we headed back to the comfort of our houses.  We stopped at the city dock to see how the river was doing.  Naknek river was definitely flowing backwards.  Water was high and part of the road had been washed away from the storm surge.  A tug boat was tied up to the dock and it was rolling up in down in the waves so much that I was getting seasick just watching.  We had quite a storm and the land around us was taking quite a lot of abuse.  Then in minutes I was back home eating hot cookies from the oven trying to warm up from our field trip.  The storm was better observed from my window then out in it but it was an adventure.

The Storm is Here!

I am sitting at my computer trying to write and the wind is howling outside.  Rain is beating against the window and freezing at the same time.  The power has blinked on and off twice in the last half hour.  The house is creaking and shuttering against the storm.  If I was still in Louisiana they would be calling this a hurricane but here it is just a storm.

It started yesterday morning with a beautiful snow fall.  Then the snow got heavy with water as the the temperatures began to rise.  Huge wet snowflakes gently fell.  Then it turned to rain.  Heavy rain and the wind picked up blowing the rain almost horizontal.  On and off the rain fell last night.  This morning the wind isn't just blowing it is demanding attention.  I may end up in Oz if this keeps up. 

There are high tide warning for the beach and there is some demented part of me that is wondering what the beach in Naknek is looking like.  I was also thinking that going to the beach after a storm like this might me interesting to visit.  Did the storm wash away enough of the cliff side to expose a dino bone?  Did the high tides wash in Tsunami debris from Japan?  What does the bay look like and how high are the waves.  I am also wondering if 284 and Tundra are safe within their newly dug dens and fast asleep as the storm rages.  I have time to think about all these things as I am not about to venture outside in the storm today!

Prepared for the Storm

When I was in Anchorage, I spent a lot of money on food to fill my shelves for the winter season.  I had two totes that I filled to the 70 pound max and a smaller 20 pound box of food that I mailed to myself before I left.  Then when I came home I had a tote box full of meat, one full of dairy and produce and another filled with new warm clothes and more food.  Yesterday the mailed items arrived along with two boxes of food I had ordered from Amazon a month ago.  Good thing it was my turn to get the mail for the office so I could use the work truck to bring it all home.  I spent the night reorganizing cupboards to get it all on shelves.  The shelves are now are bulging and I should be good for a while I hope. 

Today we are suppose to get a very big storm.  It is suppose to be snow and freezing rain and lots of wind.  25 -30 mph in the morning with expected gusts up to 50 mph and by evening wind speeds will be 35 -50 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.  This will be my first real storm in Alaska.  Good thing the food arrived.  Who knows how long it will take to before planes fly again.  And I have the next three days off so I am just going to snuggle up with my wildlife reports, enjoy my Anchorage treats, and watch the wind blow.

Just a side note:  Happy Veterans Day to all those who give up their time to protect ours!  Thank You!

Tator Tot Thursday

Are you celebrating?   Here in the office it has been declared tater tot Thursday.   During the winter everyone from the office has lunch together on Fridays and has cheeseburgers and tator tots at Eddies.  But tomorrow is a holiday so we are celebrating it today.  This is the first week of this yearly tradition.  I have been told it is one of the ways to beat the winter blues.  I haven't felt blue about winter because one I love winter and two we hardly have snow on the ground.  Everyone was complaining about how awful the weather was yesterday but I thought it was great. 

Walking to work the ground was icy but there is wonder in the stillness of the dark.  I did wear my ice grippers yesterday but I don't think I really needed them.  I had a traveling companion for a little while, a small fox quietly exited the trail ahead of me, stopped and stared then continued on in the same traveling direction as me.  He was no more concerned about me as I was of him.  Just two beings enjoying a walk in the quiet of the morning.

It is amazing how you don't realize how long it stays dark,  Every day we lose about four minutes of daylight but I hadn't really been paying attention until yesterday.  The sky was dark until about 9:30 and by 5:30 we were back in the dark.  We still have 41 days of increasing darkness and the thing about so much nighttime is that you want to go to bed a lot earlier than normal.  I guess that makes up for wanting to stay awake past normal bedtimes in the summer months. 

What is in the Woods!

Yesterday after work I took Camille (my dog) down to see what the King Salmon river was doing.  It was cold and below freezing all day so I wanted to see if the river was freezing over.  The shoreline of the river was covered in ice and large pieces of ice filled the flowing water heading down stream.  It was so quiet you could hear the echo of the water under the ice.  I took a few pictures then Camille and I headed home when she stopped and stared into the woods.

I did not see anything but Camille did not want to move.  I stared into the alders trying to see what she was seeing then I heard the snapping of a twig.  I got excited my heart started pumping.  Could this be the moose I have been waiting to see.  Another twig snapped.  Maybe it is a wolf or a bear.  I continued to watch with Camille who suddenly let out a bark.  Still I could not see anything.  Camille's tail was up and the fur on her back stood straight up.  More rustles came from the brush.  I began to get a little nervous as I still could not see what had Camille so worked up.

Then I heard the jingling of metal.  My first thought was okay Santa's reindeer are in the woods but no it was just the neighbor dog Cody running loose and carefree.  Disappointed I petted Cody and Camille and I headed home.  Another all most adventure in Alaska.

The Ice Grippers Have Come Out

When I left Anchorage two days ago it was snowing and everything had three inches of snow on top of it.  It was beautiful and added to the scenery.  When I got home I didn't pay much attention to the landscape as it was dark.  But yesterday in the light of day I noticed we have no snow.  We do however have a nice layer of ice on the ground.  When I got to work I noticed that people had their ice grippers with them.  I not sure I am ready for ice grippers yet but I am thinking about it.

Two of my favorite sounds are the wind through the trees and ice crunching under your feet.  My walk home last night I crunched a lot of ice.  I had a wonderful time.  I decided that I would go to the river and see how it was doing since the roads were freezing.  King Salmon Creek was awesome.  The banks were covered in hills of white ice and chunks of ice were flowing with the current.  The river was moving ever so slowly,the floating ice tinkled as it passed by.  So maybe we don't have a blanket of white yet, but there is beauty still to behold.

Home from Anchorage!

I am back in the bush.  King Salmon's snow has all melted which is sad since Anchorage got 3 inches before we left.  Pen Air was up to full form.  Our flight back was cancelled and we were bumped to another flight which left a half hour after we were suppose to leave which wasn't bad but then there were mechanical problems and we didn't leave until an hour or more after we thought we were going to leave.  The flight was okay but when I got to King Salmon I realized that our suitcase did not arrive with us.  Hopefully today we will be reunited. 

At the airport last night we were laughing at how everyone in Alaska travels with tote boxes.  We had three and a suitcase.  Each tote box filled with food for the bush.  We however traveled light.  I guess I have a lot to learn about power shopping for the bush.  Most people had 3 suitcases and at least five or more totes.  Alaskans must make Rubbermaid very happy.  I did have two totes shipped over so I am trying to be Alaskan. 

It is good to be back in King Salmon.  Though we had 20 mile an hour winds when we got home.  But I like the wildness and the quiet of King Salmon where Anchorage was a loud and noisy city, with a couple of lovely walking trails.  Though I did enjoy the ice cream very much.  Today I go to work writing reports and grant proposals for next years projects.  What should I study?

No Moose Anywhere

Okay!  I am upset.  I was told that if I wanted to see a moose I needed to come to Anchorage.  I was told they were everywhere.  Lies all lies.  I hiked four hours in the largest trail in the city.  It was beautiful.  Snow covered the branches of the spruce trees and birch trees shined.  We saw other hikers out in the weather enjoying a walk.  We saw bikers with their large, fat tires made to ride on snow and ice.  We saw a raven and magpies.  We even went off the trail to walk towards a wetland and nothing.  Just the noise of the cars off in the distance and the planes overhead.  No large mammal of any kind lurked in the park.  I don't care what the Anchorage visitor guide say about moose being all over town.  We saw no moose.  We saw a sign warning us to watch out for dog sleds.  We did see one lone husky chasing after its master while he ran down around the trail.  We hiked over a bridge that covered a small half frozen stream.  We hiked until we began to get cold and the skies turned dark.  On the way home we saw a moose crossing sign along the highway.  WE SAW NO MOOSE!!!!!!

During the meetings I attended this past week I heard reports of moose throughout the state but I must say I think they are teasing me.  I was asked when I reported on the moose in Katmai, what is the largest group of moose you have seen?  Boy was I am embarrassed to say one.  Then I was asked if it was a large bull.  Nope small year old female.  How sad is that.  I have 24 days left until I start flying around counting moose.  I sure hope that I won't be wasting my time.

Best Place to Study Science

I have just finished a week of trainings and presentations from people doing scientific studies in Alaska.  Wow, what a week.  I got to talk to other national park biologist and will be working on proposals with some of them to get funding for a wolverine study.  I teamed up with a biostatisian and we are going to try a new way to monitor birds in the spring.  I worked with a GIS database operator to create an app to collect moose data, of course one of these days I am actually going to have to find the moose in Katmai. 

I also learned a lot about the volcanoes of the area and where lava is stored in the ground.  I learned about glaciers and their disappearances.  I learned that as we lose glaciers, the ground is rising.  In some areas 6 - 8 cm a year.  I learned about ice events and now know I can expect at least two a month from now until Feb.  I learned about sheep movements, peregrine falcons of Kenai Fjords and harbor seals of Glacier National Park.  I learned about caribou movements and who is eating them.  I learned about volcanic soils and what is starting to grow on them.  I have listened to reports on wind conditions and changing tidal patterns.  My head is full of facts, ideas, and things I now have to work on.  It is so full of science that I need an adventure.  Today I am going to spend the entire day exploring Anchorage. 

30 Second Interview

I would love to tell you about some adventure I have had here in Anchorage but I have not had one.  I have attended meetings all day then by the time I get done and have my it is dark outside which doesn't lend to sightseeing.  But I did have a very good training session today on how to relate science to your audience.  One of the last exercises was to promote yourself in less than 30 seconds.  You need to include who you are, what you do, why it is important and why you love it.  So here is my 30 second promo:

I am Sherri Anderson and I work as a wildlife biologist for Katmai National Park and Preserve.  I get to work with animals and birds and see how they relate to each other, other animals, the land they live on and how they react to the visitors of our great park.  Then I take this knowledge and I compare it with other biologist to see if there are concerns or problems with the animals that we should worry about.  I also get to tell you about the amazing creatures I work with so that you may fall in love with them too and help me protect them and their habitat.

Weather Bullitens and Future Projects

Weather report last night contained blizzard warnings and high tide activities.  It was a wild night in town.  There were gusts of 60 miles and hour and as it howled through the streets of Anchorage and made it hard to walk in a straight line.  The sound of it outside our window was quite loud.   The weather however did not stop the states biologist making plans for the next season.  I have a meeting with the biologists from Kenai Fjords, Lake Clark and Denali today to talk about a joint wolverine project.  The wolverine is one of the least studies species of all predator species and the four of us would like to know about the populations existing in each park.  Tomorrow I meet with the biologists to talk about how we want to study bald eagles in the future.  This training has been a great place to toss around ideas and get feedback from other people who may have studied the same species or trying to decide the best way to do the same thing.  However, I have not been able to be out exploring Anchorage.  My family went to the Natural History Museum and said it was great.  I did however make my first trip to Cosco and bought a tote load of food to send home.  Not quite the adventure in town I was hoping to have.

What Can I Say About Anchorage

What can I say about Anchorage?  I haven't got to see much of it- yet!  I was in meetings all day yesterday and when they ended we were having quite the snow storm.  The snow was beautiful.  We walked down to the marine trail but the tide was out and with the snow and the cloudy skies you could not see much to enjoy the walk.  I have not seen the moose they advertise in the city parks but to be fair the marine trail is all I have been on.

I have seen the seedier side of Anchorage.  I have seen the drunks in the alleys and people lurking behind garbage cans, smoking something other than cigerettes.  I have been approached by a few panhandlers and yelled at by some of the unfriendly natives.  Anchorage is like a lot of the very large cities across the US in a state full of beauty it is hard to believe the same city scape is here as in it is in say Houston.  Just not in the magnitude.  Today's game plan is to go to meetings all day while Ken and Craig hit the museums and then we are going to start shopping tonight.  We did finally find a DQ last night and I savored every bite.  We had lunch ar Arby's yesterday and I have to say that it just didn't have much taste compared to all our home cooked meals.  I felt the same way about McDonalds the day before.  I really don't think they are very good anymore.   Sorry corporate america.

Day One in Anchorage

I flew into Anchorage yesterday on a plane that had mostly government employees heading into town for meetings and trainings.  It was the roughest plane ride I have been on to date.  The descent into town, rocked and rolled and bounced the little plane all over the place.  The guy behind me said when we touched the ground said he needed a beer.  I was just thankful to be on the ground.

I asked Craig what he wanted to do first after renting our car and checking into the hotel.  He chose going to a bookstore.  So off we went to the rental car service.  We are driving a chevy malibou and it sucks.  The roads are snow covered and mostly glare ice, so when I try to stop the car the anti lock brakes kick in and we slide all over the place.  I hate anti lock brakes.  We found our hotel.  We are on the 12th floor with a few of the ocean.  Not a pretty view, we get to see the freight docks, but the town is surrounded by beautiful snow covered mountains. 

We were off to look for a bookstore.  We knew Anchorage had a Barnes and Noble but it took us two hours to find it.  While searching we stopped at a mall where we had salespeople try to stop us and show us their wares.  Both of us looked at each other and said "Don't miss that."  Next we stopped at a Walmart.  We got to the dairy case and milk was a $1.99 a gallone.  We just sat and stared as it is $11.00 in King Salmon.  On through the grocery isles we went amazed at the low prices and then we saw the ice cream all.  A whole isle with nothing but ice cream.  WOW!

Finally we found the store we were looking for.  It was as good as I remembered.  But my first overall impression of Anchorage is "not impressed".  May be today will be different but I have eight hours of meetings to attend before I can do any more exploring.  But I do miss the quiet and peacefulness of my little bush village.

What the Women of King Salmon Do During the Winter.

Yesterday I was invited to a Stamp It Up party.  For those of you that don't know, it is a party where you can buy all the things you will need to make your own greeting cards.  This is a huge thing here.  The women get together eat and make cards.  We all got to make a Christmas card yesterday, ate vegetarian lasagna and cheese cake and did a lot of talking.  I was told about all the fun things that you can do to make your own cards.  There is another party in two weeks and the Saturday after thanksgiving there is a card making bonanza day where for just $15 you can make 10 cards.  This is suppose to be great fun.  So I ordered my first $35 worth of card making supplies and it will arrive at my office within a week.  Would I like to host a party.  Seems like this might get to be an expensive endeavor.

Today I am off to Anchorage.  Not sure I am ready for the big city.  I like being away from the hustle and bustle and the simple life here.  I am however hungry for ice cream and a trip through the stores.  I will also get to see my husband which will be fantastic.  Then I am going to see if the stories are true, is Anchorage where you go to see a moose?  So don't worry I am sure there are adventures in Anchorage besides eating ice cream and looking for a place to park the rental car.

Their Tracks Are Everywhere!

Yesterday we got snow.  Enough snow that it covered the ground, trees and bushes.  On the walk home from work I decided to take the trail through the woods.  I haven't seen a hare anywhere for weeks.  But there in the snow were tracks of a hare.  Then more tracks and more tracks.  They were everywhere.  With each new set of tracks I tried to see if I could find one as they will be turning white for the winter and I would love to see them in the new coats.  But I could not find one but someone did or should I say something.  Next to a set of hare tracks were a set of lynx tracks.  Both tracks looked as if both creatures were running.  They lead into a thick area of alder which I decided not to go into.  That would be a place you just might walk into a sleeping bear.  One of the neighbors had one in her front yard a couple of days ago.  So some of them are still around. 

The snow made the area shine and sparkle.  But like all good things it came to an end.  The temperature warmed up and the rain fell, melting away all the beautiful snow.  It was sad.  But today I am getting ready for my first trip into town.  I am making my shopping list and trying to decide what to take with me to carry food home in.  I am totally excited.

A Walk in the Dark

Yesterday I gathered my gear and headed out the door.  The sky was dark.  It was littered with a thousand of stars.  All the light I had to see to walk by were the stars and my amazing flashlight.  I started down the road.  It was quiet.  There was no breeze whistling through the trees.  I walked on just thinking to myself.  Then I heard it.  A sound coming from the tree tops.  I turned my flashlight towards the tops of the trees but I saw nothing.  I started to walk again when I heard the sound.  I searched again this time more thoroughly but still I saw nothing.  The beam of my flashlight showed only empty branches.  I moved at a slower pace but kept my eyes searching.  Then there it was again only this time it was answered by another.  Again I stopped and searched the trees.  I could hear the calls more frequently now but still I could not find the creature making them.  Their voices echoing through the stillness.  I continued on my way and as I walked more voices cried out into the night, first three called, then four, and then I heard the call of six different creatures.  They were all around me but I could not see a single one.  As I got closer to the creek the calls became more distant.  I heard one last Whoo- hooo-hooo.  The calls came from Great Horned Owls calling as I walked.  Was I walking through the woods?  Nope!  Just on the highway going to work.

Amazing Citizen Scientists

When I arrived at Brooks Camp for my first official week as the biologist I discovered a long lost program where we asked visitors to document bird and animal sightings in the park during their visit.  This isn't just for the visitors.  It is also for the staff members as they travel the park.  With 4.1 million acres I can't be everywhere at once.  I have yet to see over half the park.  This program gives me a chance to see what others are seeing.

Today I spent the day writing the end of season report on the project.  I learned some interesting things.  for instance a lot of our visitors may come to see the bears but they also do some birding as there were 287 sightings of birds.  A few of the birds were rare findings in the park which is fantastic.  One species of duck, Garganey has only been seen in what is marked as accidental.  That means you might see one every fifty years.  We saw four of them in the spring.  Another species, the black-backed woodpecker isn't even on the area species list.  We saw three this year on the falls trail.  Next year I will have to see if their nesting here.  Speaking of nesting, we found out that there is a nest of golden-crowned kinglets in Brooks Camp.  Another first as no one knew their were nesting here.

Reports show wolves located in nine different areas of the park.  How many packs are out there?  In 1912 Novarupta blew leaving hundreds of feet of ash.  Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the eruption.  Needless to say that the wildlife are not numerous out there.  But life is returning and for the first time two different people saw a hare at Novarupta.  We would have never realized that with out our citizen scientist. 

I am hoping to expand the program next year as it was such a success this year.  So if your planning a visit to Katmai National Park in the future.  Stop at the visitors desk and tell them you want to help me out and be a wildlife observationalist.  All you have to do is take your form along with you and fill it out as you visit the park.  If you were one of the very helpful people this year.  You are terrific and thank you very much.

Crazy Weather

Yesterday was one crazy day of weather.  It started out as a heavy rain.  I had bundled all up for the walk to work and was thinking this is one day when I wish I had a car but then my neighbors pulled up and I decided to op for the ride.  Once at work in my cubicle, I don't have a window so the weather isn't much of a thought but at 10 am I went to the kitchen to fill my water bottle and was surprised that it was still dark outside.  A little while later one of my coworkers yelled it snowing.  I jumped right up to see the sight.  There were very large flakes of snow swirling around in circles.  It was beautiful.  I could have watched all day but I had work to do.  Every so often I would think of some reason to find a window.  I love the snow and was beginning to worry that my husband in North Dakota was going to get measurable snow before we did. 

By the afternoon the weather was right on the border of rain and snow.  I was hoping for a snow shower to walk home in but I got rain.  And wind.  The wind was howling through the trees and my cheeks got very cold.  We had gotten a lot of rain as there were large puddles everywhere.  A couple hours after arriving back to my warm house the rain again turned to snow.  I sat on the couch and watched for awhile.  Then it stopped.  In the western part of the sky, the sky was lit bright orange.  It was amazing.  It just glowed.  Then as time went by it turned pink and then faded into night.  It was so totally different than a normal sunset.  It gave everything a golden glow.  It was an amazing day of weather.

Raptor Research

Now that the field season is over it is time to work on data and decide what things to look at in the future.  I have a few ideas that I am studying and going to write proposals for.  One thing I would like to see done is a raptor study on the coastline of Katmai National Park.  The peregrine falcon being one of those raptors.  There has not been too much work done in this field.  In 1993 there was a study that looked at the peregrine falcon.  In 1989 the exxon oil spill occurred and people always here about Prince William Sound being hit hard, what they don't know is that the Katmai Coast got most of the oil.  But being the Katmai coast is hard to get to, it did not get much attention.  Today there are still traces of that oil spill on the coastline.

After the oil spill, raptor studies were performed above and below Katmai but no one looked at our coast.  I would like to get some kind of baseline on our raptors before another big incident happens so that we will know where things stand.  Peregrines, the bird of focus of discussion today, eat sea birds.  The coast line has many seabirds so we should be able to find peregrines on our coast.  In the 1993 study only one peregrine falcon was seen.  Was this from the oil spill?  No one knows but I hope to see what our coastline has now. 

A raptor study of a rocky coast would consist of helicopter surveys, and time on a boat traveling parallel to the coast looking for eyrie, the name given to a raptor nest.  Doing this kind of survey will take money so I have asked the avian person at the US Fish and Wildlife Office to team up with me. She is all excited.  So next step write the proposal.  It may not be exciting now but if we get the funding it will make the next field season pretty exciting.

Preparing To Go To Town

On the 30th I get to go to town for the first time in 6 months.  I am getting quite excited.  Town, for those of you that don't know, is Anchorage.  To get there I have to get on a plane and fly 1 1/2 hours.  It will be the first time in 6 months that I will have been in a grocery store or seen a busy street.  I have a car reserved and I drive a car about once a week here and it is to take the work truck up to the post office for the mail.  Total mileage 1.  I am going to a Natural Resource Training for two days and then presenting some of my work at a science symposium.  Scientists from around the state will be presenting the work they have been doing.  It should be quite interesting.  To make the trip extra special my husband is flying up from North Dakota to be here to support me.  The game plan is to attend the meetings during the day, explore Anchorage until it is too dark to see and then go shopping.

The first place I want to go is Dairy Queen for a pumpkin pie blizzard.  Not all of you may know what that is so I will describe it.  It is ice cream mixed with chopped of pieces of pumpkin pie topped with whip cream and sprinkled with nutmeg.  It is a holiday favorite of mine and since ice cream cost $14.00 a half gallon and I am too cheap to buy it.  I am looking forward to having one and savoring every delicious bite.

I am looking forward to walking through a grocery store especially the fresh produce section.  Seeing a real dairy section with a large selection of cheeses.  I am going to enjoy going to the fabric store, and a book store, and maybe even Best Buy.  I hear Taco Bells calling me and a McDonald's cheese burger sounds great.  All these places I haven't even seen a commercial for. 

Of course I am looking forward to seeing Anchorage.  I here the museums are great.  I want to walk the trails by the ocean and see what I can see.  Moose should be everywhere from what I hear so seeing one would be awesome even if it is not a Katmai moose.  There is a musk ox farm outside of town I might have to check out and I hear the views of Denali are great just outside of town.  All these things wait for me at the end of the week.  I can't wait.  What would you do if you were to go to town with me after six months in the bush?   

Where Are the Salmon?

So Friday I went to Brooks Camp.  After our long boat ride, we went to the falls as the main reason for going was to show the Game and Fish Representative our fish ladder at the falls.  We got to the falls platform and a nice size male was eating fish remains and grass.  We looked into the river and for the first time since the salmon arrived at Brooks Falls back in early July I could not see any salmon in the river.  I had been there all most two weeks ago and there were still a fair amount of fish in the water but no more.

After a few minutes of waiting bear number one was joined by bear number two.  Two males about the same size who with their enormous bellies tried to sense each other out.  They hefted their weight and circled around each other but then decided that neither was worth the energy to fight and both headed in their own direction.  After examining the fish ladder it was down to the riffles to see if there were any fish or bears.  At first neither were there.  Then we managed to count about five salmon and with the five salmon came Backpack.  He chased one of the fish around in the water until finally catching it.  We watched as he devoured his meal then left to search for more.  So far all the bears we had seen were three males. 

There must have been a wind storm at the park since everyone left as there were a couple of down trees across the path.  Otherwise, Brooks Camp was pretty quiet.  We stopped to have lunch in the snack shack which is a little building where staff can have lunch safe from bears.  It is half way between the lower platform and the falls trail.  As we sat and ate our lunch 284 walked by.  I watched and said hi 284.  She stopped and looked at me then continued on through the woods away from the river.  It was the last time I will see her before she dens for the winter.  I am hoping she has a good sleep.

After lunch it was on to the lower platform.  Again we saw no salmon in the water.  Because there are no salmon the bears using the river have dropped tremendously.  Holly and Flo, two of our largest females, were trying to find some fish and another male was up river.  410 was asleep on the beach.  That was it for the bears.  With the bridge gone for the winter I could not cross to see who was sleeping in camp.  I did not see 402 and her cub or Tundra.  Both favorites of mine.  I am assuming that they are munching berries on the way to the denning area.  Finally it was time to leave.  I did not get the big farewell like I received two weeks ago.  We just slipped away virtually unnoticed.  No fish and a few bears.  Sleep tight everyone and see you in the spring.

Rough Ride Across the Lake

Yesterday I took the boat out to Brooks Camp.  Usually the ride out is about an hour.  Yesterday was quite different.  It started out beautiful.  The sun was just about to rise and the sky was full of beautiful colors.  It was a little windy but all in all it looked like a great day for a boat ride.  Off we started across Naknek Lake.
Naknek lake got its name from the earliest Russian explorers.  It is 40 miles long and can be anywhere between three and eight miles wide.  It normally takes just over an hour to cross it to get to Brooks Camp on the other end.  Yesterday our little journey over the water out there took two and half hours. 

Once we got into the main part of the lake the wind began to pick up.  We started to bounce on the waves.  Then it got rough.  We hit the trench of one way very hard and water poured over the bow of the boat.  Up till this time me and two coworkers were sitting on the floor in the bow area.  When the first wave splashed over the top we quickly moved to the back of the boat.  Wave after wave washed over the top of the bow as we bounced and rocked.  Then we hit the bottom of a trough so hard that the engine stopped.  That's when we were not only rocking from front to back but side to side.  I felt like I was on one of those boats you see on TV on the roughest water.  I wasn't scared but the fact that you are 10 times more likely to drown in Alaska did run through my mind. 

We got the boat started again and slowly headed to Brooks Camp.  Bounce after bounce.  Waves of water higher than the boat passed by.  On the average the average the waves were five feet high.  Two hours passed by and finally the shore line of Brooks Camp came into view.  It was good to see the place.  It was quite the ride out and everyone was glad to arrive and get off the boat.  By the end of the day the winds had calmed down and the ride home was not so bad.  Tomorrow I will tell you about my day at camp.