Well, I got to go to Katmai National Park on Saturday. Scott, one of the fishermen, flew over with me. It was so gorgeous there! I got to go on a really amazing day too because it was almost 70 and sunny. We had to sit through a bear etiquette class before getting to hike. The class was interesting and we learned that the bears can come within 50 meters of you before you need to back pedal. That seems a little close for my comfort level. We ran into quite a few bears that were within that distance of us too. Scary, but we survived!
I hiked up to a place called Brooks Falls and saw upwards of 15 bears in one small concentrated area. It was so crazy to see all of them that close together. We probably got within 100 feet of a few of them. It was a little scary because they would just walk out of trails at you and be totally unfazed. The whole park was beautiful and I got some great pictures. I will try to upload them sometime. The only bad part was that I got eaten alive by White Socks (crazy mosquitoes on steroids). So I have around 30 bites which swell up to the size of a quarter or half dollar. I will be covered in anti-itch cream for the next week probably. (Update: I ended up getting an infection from all of those bites! With no doctor to treat me here my doctor from home sent me some medicine)
I ended up getting to take the whole day off and got back from Katmai at 5pm. I went on a bar tour of King Salmon/Naknek with some of the crew. It was pretty entertaining. I watched a man throw a drink at himself and another man slow dance with a mop. Possibly the funniest bar experience imaginable. The best pick-up line I heard all night was from a seriously intoxicated man who told me, "I may not be able to see straight but you are pretty good looking." So as you can imagine, it was a story-making adventure.
Well, I miss you all very much. I am starting to get a little homesick. August 1st will be a nice time to come home and see everyone :)
Monday, July 19, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
First Fishing Trip
Hello All,
Well it is another Sunday in Bristol Bay and thankfully it has been a little slow today...I actually may have gotten 5 hours of sleep! A new record! Today has consisted mostly of cooking and cleaning. I managed to make a small feast today: split pea soup, salmon patties, brownies, meatloaf, and biscuits. The peak of fishing season is finally starting to hit here, which is good because it means more fish for us. Although, it also means work hours are increasing quite a bit. 16 hour days are quite the norm.
I got to take a (for fun) fishing trip for the fist time since I have been here two nights ago. Went out trolling with a couple of the sport fisherman in the area. We didn't catch much, just a Jack King Salmon (smaller version of the real King Salmons). But, it was lots of fun! I got to tour the Bay from the water which was awesome. Also, we snuck up on a mama bear who was carrying her 3 cubs across the water on her back. She wasn't too happy once we got close to her. She growled at us and took off running, I got some great pictures though. I will have to post them sometime soon. Also, I posted my first round of pictures on Facebook so check them out :)
Well, I must go bake some more. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Well it is another Sunday in Bristol Bay and thankfully it has been a little slow today...I actually may have gotten 5 hours of sleep! A new record! Today has consisted mostly of cooking and cleaning. I managed to make a small feast today: split pea soup, salmon patties, brownies, meatloaf, and biscuits. The peak of fishing season is finally starting to hit here, which is good because it means more fish for us. Although, it also means work hours are increasing quite a bit. 16 hour days are quite the norm.
I got to take a (for fun) fishing trip for the fist time since I have been here two nights ago. Went out trolling with a couple of the sport fisherman in the area. We didn't catch much, just a Jack King Salmon (smaller version of the real King Salmons). But, it was lots of fun! I got to tour the Bay from the water which was awesome. Also, we snuck up on a mama bear who was carrying her 3 cubs across the water on her back. She wasn't too happy once we got close to her. She growled at us and took off running, I got some great pictures though. I will have to post them sometime soon. Also, I posted my first round of pictures on Facebook so check them out :)
Well, I must go bake some more. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Smelly Fish
All is well up here in the great, white north. Although thanks to it being in the 60's and sunny there is more green than white around. There was another bear sighting, but I missed it (AGAIN). There was a bear in our driveway this morning and another one that tore a bunch of garbage out of the back of one of our trucks! Pretty crazy how many bears there are here...although I have yet to see an adult bear. I see the same two cubs pretty regularly by the processing plant.
Work is going well. I find myself constantly covered in dirt and/or fish guts but I suppose that comes with the job. I spent Monday night processing again, which included scraping the scales off the meat side of the fish, removing blood clots, packing, and vacuum sealing all of the product. We have been bringing in about 10,000 lbs per tide and there are two tides a day that we fish. I think we all must smell pretty fishy all the time but I am immune to the smell at this point. We picked up a hitch-hiker (everyone hitch hikes here-it is totally safe and how we get into town once in awhile) and he got in the car and told us right away, "man, you guys smell like fish!" haha. I feel bad for whoever gets stuck next to any of us on the long plane ride home!
Hoping to go over to Katmai National Park soon. It's about $250 to charter a flight and I hear that it is totally worth it. If I do go I will let everyone know because aside from being gorgeous there is some really great bear watching there that I am hoping to get pictures of.
Miss you and love you all!
Work is going well. I find myself constantly covered in dirt and/or fish guts but I suppose that comes with the job. I spent Monday night processing again, which included scraping the scales off the meat side of the fish, removing blood clots, packing, and vacuum sealing all of the product. We have been bringing in about 10,000 lbs per tide and there are two tides a day that we fish. I think we all must smell pretty fishy all the time but I am immune to the smell at this point. We picked up a hitch-hiker (everyone hitch hikes here-it is totally safe and how we get into town once in awhile) and he got in the car and told us right away, "man, you guys smell like fish!" haha. I feel bad for whoever gets stuck next to any of us on the long plane ride home!
Hoping to go over to Katmai National Park soon. It's about $250 to charter a flight and I hear that it is totally worth it. If I do go I will let everyone know because aside from being gorgeous there is some really great bear watching there that I am hoping to get pictures of.
Miss you and love you all!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Naknek Fun Facts
Hey everyone, thought I would post some funny things about the town I spend my time in. For all of us that thought Watseka (hometown) was a weird small town...well, this place takes the cake for remote, small-town, craziness.
1.) Naknek Grime- This is a condition of complete dirtiness. Every person, animal, and object will become covered in this grime approximately 15 minutes after arrival (especially in the fishing industry). There is not any way to ever become clean again after exposure, except perhaps with a lengthy steam...
2.) Going For A "Steam"- A ton of people here have wood burning saunas behind their processors or homes. I was lucky enough to be invited to "go for a steam" with a local woman. Imagine my surprise when I showed up and everyone was naked! After the initial shock I loved it. I highly suggest everyone invest in steam house because they are incredible.
3.) Alaska Natives- The natives here own all the land, the businesses, and the only hospital (remember that AK hasn't been a state for that long). It has been a weird adjustment to be the minority in a place. I am really enjoying the culture though!
4.) Cars- They do not exist here. No one has a car and instead everyone has trucks or four-wheelers from 1985 or earlier. Also, every truck either has a cracked windshield or must be jumped in order to leave the driveway each morning.
5.) The Red Dog- this is one of the many local bars. However, it is the site of many stabbings and has been voted one of the roughest bars in America. I went there once and I do not think I will be going back...
6.)Church- Lots of religion overall in the area. We went to a Pentecostal yard sale and the woman selling stuff to be covered in full body tattoos. Loved it!
7.) Home Visits- No one calls before showing up...one minute I am cooking for the regular 20 people that live here and the next minute an extra 5 people are wanting food and beer. It's like a constant house party.
8.) Consumption- Whiskey and chain smoking are a DAILY activity for many in the fishing industry....its noon, everyone is intoxicated. This has been weird for me to experience, but it is the source of much hilarity. I suppose it goes with the job? I like to sit back and enjoy the shenanigans.
I am sure I will have 500 more fun facts by the time I get home but I hope you all enjoyed these for now.
Love :)
1.) Naknek Grime- This is a condition of complete dirtiness. Every person, animal, and object will become covered in this grime approximately 15 minutes after arrival (especially in the fishing industry). There is not any way to ever become clean again after exposure, except perhaps with a lengthy steam...
2.) Going For A "Steam"- A ton of people here have wood burning saunas behind their processors or homes. I was lucky enough to be invited to "go for a steam" with a local woman. Imagine my surprise when I showed up and everyone was naked! After the initial shock I loved it. I highly suggest everyone invest in steam house because they are incredible.
3.) Alaska Natives- The natives here own all the land, the businesses, and the only hospital (remember that AK hasn't been a state for that long). It has been a weird adjustment to be the minority in a place. I am really enjoying the culture though!
4.) Cars- They do not exist here. No one has a car and instead everyone has trucks or four-wheelers from 1985 or earlier. Also, every truck either has a cracked windshield or must be jumped in order to leave the driveway each morning.
5.) The Red Dog- this is one of the many local bars. However, it is the site of many stabbings and has been voted one of the roughest bars in America. I went there once and I do not think I will be going back...
6.)Church- Lots of religion overall in the area. We went to a Pentecostal yard sale and the woman selling stuff to be covered in full body tattoos. Loved it!
7.) Home Visits- No one calls before showing up...one minute I am cooking for the regular 20 people that live here and the next minute an extra 5 people are wanting food and beer. It's like a constant house party.
8.) Consumption- Whiskey and chain smoking are a DAILY activity for many in the fishing industry....its noon, everyone is intoxicated. This has been weird for me to experience, but it is the source of much hilarity. I suppose it goes with the job? I like to sit back and enjoy the shenanigans.
I am sure I will have 500 more fun facts by the time I get home but I hope you all enjoyed these for now.
Love :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)