Last Moments in Alaska

It seems, in so many ways, like I just got here. I was in Anchorage first, of course, but it really feels like I just arrived in Kodiak. I can still remember the bumpy plane ride in, the bright sunshine hitting my face as I stepped onto the tarmac, and the amazement at landing right under this amazing, lustrous, green mountain. I remember driving in, marveling at the water, (being a little bit more amazing at the greenery), seeing the harbor for the first time, and crossing the bridge onto Near Island for the first time. I remember my first walk through town like it was yesterday, and in so many ways, I feel like I shouldn’t be leaving just yet.

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Bells Flats and Momentary Fame

It’s been a while since I did an update from Kodiak, and it’s definitely overdue. The last time, I mostly talked about the surroundings, and while I always have more to say on that subject, I figured I’d throw in a little bit about my research this time as well. Things have been going well – I’m certainly busy, and I am increasingly feeling like, while there are limitations to this town, I don’t really want to leave. I want to find a cute semi-Victorian and obviously coastal house, settle in with a hoophouse and my dog, and spend time growing veg and knitting. And maybe doing research, because that’s obviously why I’m actually here.

World Peace Cookies

When I got to Kodiak, I had no intention of buying baking supplies. It seems really silly to buy even one bag of flour to be in a place for just a month, but then – I ended up with more time on my hands than I expected, and without any knitting (also a mistake), I got fidgety to start baking. Baking, as I’ve talked about, is very soothing for me. Obviously I like eating the results, but the sheer physicality of mixing the ingredients is just very soothing to me. It appeases some strange animal part of my brain that needs things to do with its hands, and I love it.

Fish, Bears, and Whales, Oh My.

 

For the record, I have seen exactly none of the above. It’s probably with a fair amount of relief that I say I haven’t seen any bears, although it is with quite a bit of disappointment that I say that I haven’t seen any whales. Fish – I can take it or leave it, although if you ask most people on Kodiak about that, they’ll tell you I’m blaspheming.

Colorado to Alaska

I got home to Colorado three weeks ago. I spent ten days at home, helping Sirius transition, unpacking and packing, and (best of all besides my family), got to run the Bolder Boulder. I wasn’t in great shape for it, but it’s one of my favorite things to do at home, and I felt lucky to be able to do it this year, especially considering my schedule for research. The day after the Bolder Boulder, I got up bright and earlier, caught a plane to Seattle, and another plane to Anchorage.