Kodiak Island

I have several rules of engagement regarding airline bump awards:
#1) It must be a point on the map that never goes on sale
#2) It is a location as far-flung as possible
Kodiak Island looked like it fit all of our requirements but would it prove to be an adventure?

Flying into Anchorage airport is a cultural treat. It is best to not be on a schedule of any kind and to prepare yourself to just be relaxed. Understand that you will get to your destination someday….sometime.

After waiting two hours due to the common weather delay, the counter lady announced “We have a small window of opportunity for flight #36 for Kodiak. Let’s see how fast we can get this plane boarded and ‘outta here!”
Oh… Just because you take off from Anchorage doesn’t mean that you will be landing in Kodiak. Sometimes the weather becomes worse and you have to circle back.

But good things do take time, so keep that thought in your head. The petite stewardess kept us in good humor with her stories of “How I got the moose I shot home” followed by “The bear that tried to eat my fish.”

That is how I got to Kodiak the first time but I have been back to visit because there is something hauntingly beautiful about the island that gets under your skin.

We went in May to link it with the CRAB FESTIVAL (http://www.kodiak.org/crabfest.html) figuring we could gorge ourselves when we weren’t out fishing.

Oh.Just because you book a fishing trip doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to get out on the water. (Have you ever seen the series “Deadliest Catch”?) Be sure to allow enough time on the island, so if you can’t get out one day you have a chance for another.

The first time we went out with Runamuck charters and caught 200lbs of fillets in one day. Have you ever caught Halibut before? It’s like lifting a barn door.. flat.. up from 200 ft. under the ocean.One day of that was enough for me! The airlines currently let you bring two-50lb coolers of fish without penalty per person, although when we checked the rates for shipping fish we found that it was cheaper to pay the airline penalty at that time for extra boxes.

• HINT: Bring two coolers per person (there are size restrictions, check the airline) and only bring a carry-on for your clothes!*
  The second trip we took to Kodiak harvested 280 lbs of fillets and if you add up all the fees, we filled the freezer for less than what the fish alone would have cost at our local store and had one ‘hellofa party for the neighborhood.

Does this mean you are dead in the water if you don’t fish? NEIT, Comrades! Kodiak is a delightful mix of Native American and Russian culture with a smattering of true Alaskan foolery.
The Russian church is beautiful with the bright blue onion domes and the Alutiiq Native Museum is just down the street. Be sure to catch a performance of the Kodiak Island Drummers where even the seven year olds have serious rhythm.

We found World War 11 Fort Abercrombie to be a little like entering the twilight zone as the fog rolled in the day we visited. The gun ramparts and bunkers are situated along the cliffs and a nice walking path. Did you know that these Islands were CAPTURED and occupied by the Japanese? I must have been sleeping in history class, because I don’t remember that detail at all. It’s important to remember, because one of the deadliest American battles was fought here with many young men dying. I was sure they were still there, coming in with the fog.

The tidalpools are teeming with life and a treasure to explore but my favorite place is the fossil cliff at the end of Passaqshak road, just past the rocket launch site.It’s a great place to explore.

The best places to eat? The Powerhouse Restaurant has great suishi and Hibachi dinners and Henry’s has a large menu of American favorites. Tony’s bar used to be the local whore house but it’s more tame today…unless you visit during the frog racing competitions.