2020 Elk Hunt Complete

 

Thursday evening we got back to Kodiak from a successful Afognak elk hunt.  We had 2 cow tags and the 6 of us traipsed over mountains, battled the brush and glided through the forest until we had filled both tags.  We actually saw a lot of elk and at one point had 3 different herds in sight - 2 of them on far away mountains.

Since we got back it has been a rush of activity.  Putting away gear, catching up on life - etc And today we are cutting up all the meat.  So the rush is not over yet.  But I have an idle moment and so I thought I'd do a quick 'picture' post - more to come!  Patrick

If you look closely there are elk to be seen in this landscape

Walks in the Rain

 

Due to the rain we have not been climbing mountains or mountain biking as much as I would like.  This is the time of year when I start getting in shape for ski season, but this year it has been hard.  Still, every day we do get outside.  Except it is usually a short walk in the rain with the dogs.

Favorite hikes have been to Abercrombie, Near island, and Jewel Beach.  Hikes where there are trees to offer protection from the rain and wind. 

Earlier in the week it was amazing when the sun came out, and I'm sure we'll get some stretches of good weather before ski season.  I really can't wait for winter!

Patrick

Goat and Deer hunt video

 

I made a video of our recent goat and deer hunt.  Here is a the link (click here).  Or go to the following web address:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdVStmfPMKM&t

Considering the weather we actually did pretty well to come home with 2 deer and a goat!

Patrick

October Sunshine

 

These Community Archive pictures are all from Tuesday.  We had 2 sunny days in a row before it started to rain again yesterday. It is pouring outside right now. It was an extremely dry summer, but lately it has been an extremely warm and wet fall.  This is the same pattern as last year - could it be the new normal?

In any case, these days I certainly appreciate the sunny days!  And I was very happy for an excuse to get out and about Tuesday morning to take pictures.  Patrick

Swampy Acres

 

Monday afternoon Nora and I went for a mountain bike ride out in Swampy Acres.  Nora wanted to 'ride in the colors' like we did Saturday with the cousins.  And the colors certainly did not disappoint!

It was a beautiful fall day.  Nora and I both agreed that we adore the fall smell of mouldering cottonwood tree leaves, but that the sharp smell of rotting salmon carcasses is nasty.  We got a lot of both on our ride.  Near the river we would smell the rotting fish and everywhere else it was just glorious mouldering leaves.

Patrick

More Community Archive

Yesterday was a spectacular Fall day so the kids and I drove around town and took pictures for the Alutiiq Museum's Community Archive Project.  (Click here, here and here for other Community Archive posts). We figured we'd document town mantled in fall colors.  Quite amazing how pretty Kodiak looks in the Fall when the sun comes out!  If only it would stay out.  Patrick

 

Mountain biking and Fall Light

 

Yesterday was our sun day.  It poured all day today and most of Friday.  But on Saturday (yesterday) the sun shined and we took advantage of it.  In the early afternoon the kids and I went for a mountain bike ride with the cousins, and then later in the afternoon Nora and I took the doggies on a walk to the park.  

Such a beautiful Fall day.  On the bike ride all the cottonwood trees were orange and willows yellow.  No red maples in this neck of the country!  The temperature was perfect and everything smelled like fall compost.  An earthy smell - nothing rotten about it.  One of my favorite times of the year.  

And in the park the low slanting fall light shone through the spruce trees.  Raking light that lit up the understory.  Patrick