Alaska Six: On Island

The Sons of Norway Hall in Petersburg, paying homage and preserving this town's proud Norwegian heritage.

 In some ways Petersburg, which is the main town on Mitkof Island, couldn't be more different from Saipan.  But somehow, so much about it felt so familiar, so right.  I think I'm just meant for island life--and even in Alaska, with it's much colder weather, different foliage and wildlife  and different people and culture, I have this sense that this is where I belong.

Yesterday, was our day "on-island" as we used to say in Saipan.  We had a leisurely morning and then in the afternoon Chris and Carissa took me on a tour of some the local sites. Everywhere we went was really beautiful, and it was nice to spend time chatting and catching up.  If the goal of this trip was to renew and strengthen treasured friendships, this journey has been an unqualified success. I am so happy about that.

Below: Our first stop, Crane Lake.

Chris, in front followed by the kids and then Carissa, as we get ready to head up the The Three Lakes Loop Trail to Crane Lake

Picking berries along the trail

Aidan rowing out to the middle of Crane Lake.

Chris, Me, and Carissa hanging out at Crane Lake

Alaskan wildlife: A grouse, above, and a porcupine, below. No bears though they are quite common in this area. Chris brought the gun and made sure to shout "Hey Bear!" from time to time. It's good to make noise on the trails so the bears know you are coming. It's not wise to surprise a bear.

Next stop was  Blind Slough and Crystal Lake:

This is a popular swimming spot and as you can see below, Aidan decided to take a quick dip

That's the Crystal Lake Hatchery in the distance

Last stop, the Blind River Rapids. As it turned out the river was too high for there to be any rapids that day:

After touring the island in the afternoon, we dropped the kids back at Carissa's place and headed over to the Beachcomber, a popular waterfront restaurant on-island that reminded me so much of Saipan's Oleai Bar and Grill. As I did so many times there, we  sat out on the patio, watching the sun set over the water. They even had tacos just like I would have gotten at Oleai.  Because Petersburg is a small town of about 3000, and because Chris is the director of public works and Carissa teaches at the high school, they seem to know practically everyone. There was a steady stream of friendly folk who stopped by our table to say hi and meet the "high school friend from Florida."  It was an absolutely perfect evening.

Chris and I at the Beachcomber

The view from our table at the Beachcomber

After the Beachcomber, we hung out at Chris's for awhile talking and reminiscing on old times.  After Carissa headed home, Chris and I ended up staying up until well past 2:00 AM.  Who has time for sleep when you're reconnecting with an old friend you don't get to see as often as you'd like?

This morning, Chris slept in and Carissa came by and picked me up for a coffee run.  We grabbed a couple of photo ops around town, and then we got Chris and had a delicious breakfast at the Salty Pantry, the same charming place Chris brought me for lunch when I arrived last Friday. After breakfast, it was time to head for airport.

Some pics from our morning drive around town before my flight left:

Note the triple peaks at the center of the photo. The central one is called the Devil's Thumb. It's been hidden by clouds the entire I've been here, but today was the first clear day we've had where it was visible.  Below is a photo Carissa took of me with the Devil's Thumb in the background.

Had to get in a selfie with Carissa!

The Sons of Norway Hall

Kito's Kave is a famous (some might say infamous) bar in Petersburg. Big names like John Wayne have visited this watering hole.

The islands may be thousands of miles apart but the farewell from the plane window feels oh so familiar.

It was a good way to wrap up my time in Petersburg.  It was good to be on-island.