Fifty Day Re-cap

We stepped off the Kennicott ferry and on to this unique & remote island - which will be our home for the next three years - on June 29, 2013.  So about now (somewhere around the 50-ish day mark), I'm doing a little mental round-up of what I know so far.



1.  Kodiak is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

Anton Larsen Bay and Fort Abercrombie

Mossy tree in Rotary Park, view from 
Base Kodiak, & misty Mill Bay Beach

 

View from the top of Pillar Mountain

2.  I've had to redefine my idea of what "good weather" means.  Basically, if it's not raining, it's good weather.

More often than not, this is the weather norm - Misty!

3.  There are no fleas or ticks on Kodiak, so we don't have to worry about prescriptions for flea/tick control for Cheety.  Nice!


 4.  Living on a military base is not what I expected.  So far, it's been downright pleasant.

Apparently, I'm surrounded by experts

5.  I order a ton of stuff online.  Way more than I ever did in Key West.  I'm keeping Amazon, UPS, and FedEx on their toes with the number of deliveries that come our way these days.


6.  The hiking here is fantastic.  It's one of my favorite things to do & I can't can't say enough about it.  

Lake Gertrude

7.  I predict I'll have as many different types of fleece jackets & winter hats here as I did flip flops in Key West.


8.  The Kodiak Daily Mirror is the world's tiniest newspaper.  They don't even have a weekend edition.


9.  There are more varieties of salmon than I ever realized, & one of these days I'm going to catch one, cook it in a delicious way and EAT it.


10.  I've rediscovered my love of taking bubble baths.  Probably has something to do with the fact that it's not God-awful hot outside.  


11.  If I had to choose a non-negotiable day-to-day item for living here, it would be rubber boots.  Glad I already had a pair of Wellies from the rainy seasons in Key West.  I've worn them A LOT since we got here.

Hey, if it'll help counteract the winter
 blues, sign me up - I'm all on board

12.  I'm a little concerned  about what the reality of winter will be here.  We'll know first hand in a few short months.  But, we're nothing if not prepared.  The word on the street is that light boxes & a vitamin D supplement are the way to go during the gray & dark winter.  Done.  →


13.  The people who live here are (not shockingly) called Kodiakans, and they're one hardy bunch of people, I tell ya.  We've seen kids running around in shorts and t-shirts, & adults out and about around town with about the same amount of clothes on in 52 degree temperatures.  I guess it's possible that after a few years, I may just morph into a sturdy Kodiakan, too.  The jury's still out on that one!


14.  I've been in bird identification nirvana with all the new species I get to see.  From the ubiquitous Black-billed Magpie to the illustrious Bald Eagle, I've been geeking out all over the place whenever I see some of the new and distinct types that live up here.  Black Oystercatchers!  Puffins!  (which I'm still waiting to catch a glimpse of)  I've come a long way from the Pelicans and Egrets of Florida's shores.

Black-billed Magpie, Black Oystercatcher and a Bald Eagle
(Photo Credit:  "Mike" Michael L. Baird)

15.  I'm not the only one who's been in nirvana.  Cheety's been in doggie heaven with everything from the cooler temperatures, all the space he has to roam around on walks, the big mountain hikes he loves so much, and the pièce de résistance, his very own dog park right behind his house. (translation:  his first ever fenced in backyard in his 3 short years of life)  Someone is one happy pooch:

Kashevaroff Mountain - What pup wouldn't be in paradise with all
that space & freedom?  The hills were alive with the sound of Cheety!

View of Kodiak from the top of Kashevaroff Mountain

Fifty days in and all I can say is, not too shabby.  Not too shabby at all.  

Ta-Ta for now.