Kodiak Island

We left King Salmon on the 30th of Dec and spent less than 24 hours in Anchorage before traveling on to Kodiak Island. I must say that's the best way to have a birthday, right in the middle of travels, I got cake and ice cream 3 times! :) Then Julie had a birthday just a few days after mine so there was another party and more yummy cake. Also my mom and siblings sent me about 20 cards (Is that the right number mom? I lost count), it's been 22 days since my birthday and they're still arriving. 

Kodiak has been wonderful, the fellowship is so special and we've had some beautiful days. Well i guess the whole day wasn't beautiful, but there were often little windows in a rainy day, so while everyone was at work  Julie and i would hop in the car and go to the beach or for a hike. Yesterday on our way home from our adventures we discovered the best ice cream shop, good thing we didn't find it until just a few days before we go.

beach bums

 Fort Abercrombie Beach

 These cows just roam free, wandering in the road, across the road, to the river or ocean, wherever they want to go. They aren't right in town so it's not a problem, but you do have to watch for them.

 The city of Kenai.

 Top of Pillar Mountain (the wind was about 45 mph that day)

The Airport. Best not miss the runway!

 We found ourselves a nice little batch with an ocean view! :)

 If you look closely you can see our footprints and an eagle. We were the only ones there that day.

Pillar Mountain again.

Flight to King Salmon

New field car :) there were 3 of us in there and 140 lbs luggage!

It was a beautiful flight! I enjoyed every minute until it got bumpy and then I fell asleep for the rest of the trip. 

King Salmon!

I think I will be very happy here! :)

Bethel

This winter Julie (my coworker for the year) and I get to go out to a few of the remote areas of Alaska. First we spent a few weeks in Bethel. Bethel is a large native village of about 6000. There isn't housing for 6000 so I wondered where everyone lived until one day I was out walking and I saw a truck pull into a driveway and 13 people fell out. Then I heard about a house that our friends visited where there wasn't room to walk because there were people sleeping on every inch of floor space. So that's life in Bethel. Julie and I had quite a bit of time on our hand while our friends were at work so we spent a lot of time exploring the tundra and getting caught up on projects. We also had two Gospel meetings a week and a couple of the neighbors came and listened. We were so thankful for the warm welcome we received from our friends and enjoyed the time we had with them. 

Our little group on Sunday. Missing one