Kodiak Alaska Aug. 2010

Kodiak was a lot like Hawaii but colder.  I haven't been to Hawaii yet but Lloyd said it was comparable.  Kodiak was by far my favorite place in Alaska.  The locals said that the temperature stayed from the 40's to the 60's year round.  They never got snow.  It was so green and full.  We had to ride a fairy to get there.  People had to put there cars on the fairy as well.  It took all night to make the trip.  We spent time putting puzzles together.  Lloyd and Josh were really good at it.  They put 1000 piece puzzle together.  Lloyd got us a room to sleep in on the way over.  It was a little closet, but a lot nicer than what I slept on on the train to Urumchi China... 

We went for a drive with Dani and Collin Brinkerhoff and this was one of the views from the top.

Lloyd and I

We were driving with Dani and Collin still, all of a sudden Dani said Deer... Collin turned around and pulled over so we could look at it.  the deer were really small there.  Their coloring was red.  It was right in front of us.   It took me a minute to see it because it was so small and camouflage.  After about 5 mins Lloyd still hadn't seen it.  We spent forever pointing it out to him.  He finally saw it after I swear 10 mins.      

These are just some pretty pictures I took at the beach.  We loved going to the beach.  The ocean is my favorite!  I could sit and watch the waves all day!  This was a black sand beach.  The water was a little to cold to swim in though.  I did get in to take some pregnant pictures.  Everyone thought I was crazy.  I pretty much am :)

Lloyd and I went on a hike with my brother in law's sister Katherine.  She showed us some pretty places.  She teaches school there in Kodiak.  She said we are the first family to visit her there.  

We found wild berries on our hike.  They were called salmon berries.  They tasted like raspberries but not as sweet.  A lot of the locals go out picking them for jam and other things.  

some of the views on our hike.

Katherine and I

We went bear watching again in Kodiak.  Each night they would come out around dusk.  We would stay out watching them until midnight sometimes.  In Aug. the sun started to go down earlier.  We saw the bears fishing and jumping around the banks of the river.  I never got a good picture of them though :( 

Makenzie was the only other wife out there with me.  Other wives came and went but we stayed out the whole summer.  while we were bear watching the mosquitos were really bad.  They kept getting her so she covered pretty much ever inch of her body. :)

The Boys all lined up alone the road trying to see the bears.

My first Laundromat experience was in Alaska.  I have used one in the MTC but it is not the same as out in the real world.  I was afraid I was going to get mugged or something.... All the hotels we stayed at had Laundry facilities, but the last one.  I am not a fan of doing laundry in a Laundromat.  I couldn't even figure out how to work the machines at first.  FYI not all washing machines are the same.  I finally dumped soap in every hole hoping that I chose the right setting and the right opening to get my clothes clean... 

The wildlife Museum in Kodiak.  This was a whale skeleton.  It had washed onto shore. The locals buried it and then years later they dug it up.  Now you can see the remains.  It was huge! 

A cute little tug boat that I liked.  It was tiny compared to the other boats.  We even saw some of the ships from the deadliest catch. (I never actually watched a full episode until we were in Alaska)  There are some crazy fisherman out there! We talked to some guys that said they were asked to be on the show, but turned it down because they wouldn't take dumb risk just to create drama for the show...  they said it wasn't worth it.  I don't blame them! 

In front of one of the ports in Kodiak.  This was one of the views we saw from our hotel. 

I loved the people in Kodiak!  They were all so friendly.  Lloyd knocked on the door of the RS president the first day.  She made sure that I was invited to come to their activity while we were there.  The ward was very welcoming.  I went to it and had a good time.  They taught me how to cook salmon.  

One of the brothers taught us how to filet a fish.  I took good notes.  :)

We went to the beach every chance we got.  In Kodiak it was usually overcast, but on sunny days it was spectacular! 

Lloyd and Emery (Collin and Dani's daughter)  She was soooo cute.  Lloyd is so excited to be a dad.  he is going to be such a good one!  

Lloyd skipping rocks.  He could skip it more than 6 times.  I was lucky if I got 2.  ha ha

Josh and some bizarre thing he found on the shore.  

sick! I am not even sure what it was. 

Makenzie and Josh Combe they are on the favorite list :)

On this beach we would go jewel hunting.  People would go target shooting with glass.  The glass would then be polished over time by the waves creating little jewels.  We all came home with pockets full of them.  

Dani Collin and Emery.  They were so much fun!  We mis them already!

My first Black sand beach.  So dramatic and pretty!

Katherine took us hiking twice.  This was the second time.  It was not a sunny day, but we still went.  We found lilly pads.  These were the blossoms from them.  They felt spongy and waxy...

She took us to Fort Abercrombie.  Our military men would hide out there waiting for the Japanese to come.  They never came.  Back then there was nothing on the island so you can imagine how bored they got.  No internet....TV??? Pretty place though. 

Lloyd hiding out inside one of the forts.