Mountains and Rivers and Moose oh my!

Alright, apologies are in order for not updating in awhile, I've been pretty busy at work...

Since I last blogged, I have covered a police shooting, a boating death, written a four piece home edition and put out a paper with an average of ten stories per week...

Erin and I did have the great opportunity to climb Petersburg Mountain on a beautiful sunny Sunday.

We also hosted a dinner for some friends (Erin cooked the entire thing, it was DELICIOUS)

I've also had the good fortune of being invited up the Stikine for a camping trip (unfortunately without Erin who was working)

The paper has been pretty hectic recently.

Who would have thought I would be covering a shooting in little old Petersburg, but a few weeks ago I got a call about an officer involved shooting. I jumped on my bike and took off to the scene.

A man wielding a sword was threatening neighbors, and when the cops showed up, he cut off their squad car antenna before swinging at the police. They tazed him twice (didn't work due to meth) and were forced to shoot him when he charged one of the officers. From my research, it sounds like it was a justified shooting, but nevertheless very sad in a small town where everybody knows each other...

When I arrived, all I had was my little point and shoot digital camera (I carry it everywhere) and I was able to get a shot of the scene before they covered it with tarps.



In this picture you can see a pool of blood, the man's shoe, and on the right you can see his braveheart style sword... it was a sad day.

When you live in such a small town, you know everybody involved. I had seen the man before, and I know the police sgt. that shot him. I talked to him a few days following the shooting and he was still visibly upset.

Here is something a little more heartwarming...

Here is a picture from an interesting small town news story. The local fire department helped the sophomore class at the highschool with a car wash. I had to take the Honda through!



On to our adventures!

Petersburg Mountain, which actually sits on Kupreanof Island across the Narrows from Petersburg doesn't look like too daunting of a hill right? ... WRONG

The path climbs over 3,000 feet in just over a mile. IT IS A TOUGH CLIMB

To show you how tough it is...



Look what it did to me!!!

Actually, as I was climbing, practically on all fours, I walked into a sharp branch; heads bleed profusely.

Here Erin and I are still happy starting the hike..





At the top of the mountain there is a cable to use to pull yourself up sections. Here we are at the snow level.



The hike was totally worth it, the views were AMAZING. We spent some time at the summit eating lunch and enjoying the sun before heading down.



This shot was actually used as a cover shot in the paper today. Looking over Petersburg, which was miniscule from the top.



Looking West.



Full shot of the town.



Stikine trip!
At the last minute, I was invited up the Stikine with friends Orin, Dave and Dana.

I tried to make a google map video of our trip, but it was taking too long so I just took a picture with large points from the trip.



We started at Blackaree point at the south end of Mitkof Island, headed east to camp on the shore next to 15 mile island.



With me and my stuff we were pretty weighed down, but we made it to our camp site.

We saw these two rainbows directly over the mouth of the river on our way up.



The next day we found Alpine Creek, this clear blue tributary with sandy white beaches with little specks of fools gold in the sand... I felt like I was in the tropics (until I felt the water temperature)



We spent some time just drifting and fishing... no bites but you can't complain on a beautiful day!



On Sunday morning, we headed home and on the way out saw a moose and her baby.



When I got back home, Erin and I decided to reorganize the living room from our old couple two recliner set up to a couch and more open feel. Here is an attempt at a photo from my laptop.



Oh, quick note, I also just finished the Petersburg Home and Garden insert for the paper today, here is a sneak peek.



I grabbed a few extra copies to send out, so if you want one drop me a line!





Until next time!

I'm on a boat!

So... I bought a boat...




YEAH!!!

When I applied for the job at the Pilot, my boss told me the last reporter, Tozzo, sold his car and bought a boat... I thought to myself... 'huh... maybe I'll need one too' well sure enough you need a boat when you live on an island! I am really excited about exploring and getting to the various forest service cabins around the Tongass National Forest. Crabbing and fishing will also be a positive...

It is a 16 foot Lund Aluminum "skiff"

It has an 88 HP Johnson with an 8 HP kicker, came with the trailer and all sorts of goodies...

After doing research and talking to EVERYBODY about their preference for boats, I came to the conclusion that a canvas top is essential in Southeast, seeing as how we do live in the largest temperate rainforest in the world, rain squalls are common...

The boat actually belonged to Ed Sarff, the Petersburg City Councilman who passed away that I wrote an obituary about.

Ed took good care of the boat, the body doesn't have a single ding, he was the original owner and kept good care of the engine. It has power tilt and trim and came with extra fishing gear and a downrigger. It also has a livewell, walkthrough windshield, open bow and separate controls for the main motor and kicker.

I am pretty excited about it to say the least.

Erin and I took it out for a spin last Thursday, packed along our barbecue and had a nice relaxing meal in the Wrangell Narrows.



The next day I did some preventative maintenance, oiled it, greased it, changed spark plugs, and it PURRRRSSS!

Unfortunately that thing called work got in the way this week, so Friday or Saturday will be the next chance to take it out for a spin.

On Friday afternoon we went out to a friends cabin halfway down Mitkof Island. He bought the property four years ago, bought a small saw mill and built his own cabin!!! I was awestruck, it was a beautiful cabin of red cedar, he cut all the lumber at true dimensions, including the cedar siding. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture, next time.

Getting to his cabin is half the adventure, as he lives about a half mile off the road via a narrow path strewn with scrap lumber. Getting home was a little tricky, luckily we had a flashlight... for three of us to navigate the path... we made it back to the car unscathed after only a few wrong turns.

The fact that Alaskan residents can subsistence hunt and fish is pretty awesome. Add to that you can also cut down a certain amount of board feet of lumber each year.

Here is a picture of some of our new friends playing some tunes, Chris is an AMAZING mandolin player...



On Sunday, while Erin worked at Java Hus, I went with some friends up the Stikine River about 30 miles to some hot tubs fed by hot springs, it was an awesome day. We had some fun trying to navigate up there, hit the tubs for a few hours and headed back to a beach to grill up some brats...

Heading up the river


This is part of the slough to the hot tubs.


it got to 3 or 4 inches at times...

Dana, Rossi and I in the tubs


We had some Brats on the way out




On the way out we got a little stuck...



Made it home a little wet but safe and all in all had a great time, although in the morning rush I did forget to call mom to wish her a happy mothers day... whoops... Love you mom!

I have had a pretty hectic few days researching a story involving the city of Angoon and some hydropower projects, I pissed off their mayor and found some juicy morsels for the story, we'll see how it pans out.

Tonight Erin and I were invited to a crab boil at Sandy Beach Park, about a half mile from our apartment. Orin and I bought three dozen oysters, I had a few raw...



pretty good with some hot sauce and garlic oil!

Tomorrow we have practice for the softball team we are playing for in the Mayfest tournament. We have our first game Friday at 1:30. We have had a few practices so far, and MAN WAS I RUSTY!!!

I haven't been on a baseball diamond since 5th or 6th grade, but it is a pretty good time and after batting practice I am feeling pretty comfortable.

On Thursday Mayfest starts. Mayfest is the biggest festival in Petersburg and hundreds of visitors are streaming in every day. Festivities begin Thursday at the viking feast, complete with turkey legs and all the food you can eat with only your hands! should be fun.

Until next time...

Two months and counting!

We have been in Petersburg for two months! Two months and four days to be exact.

Oh how time flies when you are having fun!

I have found that work at the paper is quite rewarding. I have had a few letters and calls from people who liked my stories. My most rewarding compliment came from the widow of a man I wrote an obituary about. I spent a significant amount of time trying to showcase his contributions to this community, and the compliment was greatly appreciated.

I have dealt with a few politicians lately, including the lone Alaska U.S. representative Don Young and local state representative Peggy Wilson, as well as gubernatorial candidates Bob Poe and Hollis French. Gotta love election season.

The hottest topic so far has been the local city employees union that has clashed with the city manager over contract talks. A mediator has been called, and the whole situation has been heavily debated...

I also covered a story of a house that burnt down... quick newsbite right?

Wrong... I got a phone call a week after the house burned down from a couple who had arranged a public auction that raised $16,000 for the couple with the destroyed house... amazing. The recipient couple said they would never want to live anywhere else...



I was blown away by the strong sense of community and how much they cared, mobilizing in such a short time and even in a time of economic strife they were able to band together. The couple said they have had hundreds of visitors, even people they didn't know came knocking...

I had the chance to do a follow up article on the group of pro-skiers that were in town, it included an amazing photo from one of the photographers here (unfortunately I can not post it here due to copyright issues).

I also completed my first video project for the Petersburg Pilot, about the salmon hatchery located out the road on the south end of Mitkof Island.

Crystal Lake Hatchery moves smolt from Pilot Publishing on Vimeo.

April 20 marked the centennial celebration of the inception of the city of Petersburg, the day was celebrated with a town photo at the ball fields, with about 1500 residents showing up.



I took some photos of the event. That night there was a fireworks show, I had some fun with the newspaper camera.




Since day one in Petersburg I have had an itch to buy a boat, and as of last week buying a boat has become a top priority. Today I found a boat I am extremely interested in, right size, equipment and price range. And Erin is interested in it too — bonus!

Erin is quite the busy bee, working at the semi-weekly produce stand, coffee shop and as a substitute teacher. My favorite job of hers is at the produce stand, gotta love the fresh fruit. I was even forced to buy a bag of potting soil for some herbs she picked up! Chives and Oregano, hopefully more to come.

Tina's, the mexican/korean restaurant in town opened two weeks ago, we have been busy taste-testing their food (somebody's gotta do it!) So far the halibut cheek tacos are my favorite, with the korean beef a close runner up.

And as a treat we had pizza for dinner tonight, $25 for a large pepperoni and sausage!!!!! man was I spoiled in college with the $6 hot-n-ready deal.

I went crabbing with some friends last weekend, kept 5 dungeness crabs and one tanner crab, we had quite the feast that night...

don't worry we didn't eat it all that night!

Erin and I were invited to be on a softball team for the upcoming Mayfest celebration. I have not stepped onto a baseball field since sixth grade, so it was quite interesting... I did get some batting practice in and feel WAY better about helping the team in a few weeks.

The mayfest celebration has quite a few locals excited, and I am intrigued to see some of the traditions... something about a viking feast and a jail. From the pictures it should be interesting, Petersburg is slowly waking up and becoming more lively as summer approaches...

There was a costume party at a friends house a week ago...

I was a ghost, Erin was straight from the 80's

Last week the Pilot published 8000 copies of the Wrangell visitor guide. I was recruited to staple and cut the copies down to their usable size. Only one mishap so far as I came millimeters away from chopping off my index finger with the stapler. Lets just say it isn't your run of the mill red swingline stapler...

After stapling the guides they are moved through a "three blade cutting device" that is one of the craziest machines I've seen. Upon stacking your bundle of guides, you push start and stand back as it shoots the guides through a maze of razor sharp blades before shooting them out the other side clean and ready for distribution.

Before I finish this post I want to mention how thankful I am that both my dad and grandpa's recent surgeries were successful, I wish them both healthy and speedy recoveries. They are both extremely strong individuals and two of the most influential people in my life, I love you both.

Grandpa and I at my graduation last May...


I couldn't resist this one of dad... dead sexy


I also wanted to throw out a thank you... because of a generous gift from Auntie Anne, I bought a bicycle and Erin and I have really enjoyed being able to bike to and from work. (I've only had to call a few times requesting pickups in the car due to rain!) (more on this subject to come in the next blog entry)

Tomorrow I am taking the prospective new boat for a test ride, followed by a few hours of cutting... until next time

Six Weeks!

After arriving to Petersburg on a rainy dismal Sunday night and having doubts about this situation, Petersburg is growing on me.


Petersburg seen from our boat trip on Saturday

Erin and I have begun to adapt to this strange new land, and after three beautiful sunny days in a row, along with an amazing apartment on the water we have really begun to enjoy this adventure.

It has been a few weeks since I updated the blog, and I have become much more familiar with my job. I spent last week talking to both sides of a heated city employment contract negotiation, including a union rep and the city manager.

The story I wrote about the pro skiers in Petersburg was picked up by the AP, and published in Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Ketchikan, I was pretty proud of that accomplishment, especially since I've only been here a few weeks...

I also shot some footage for my first video for the Pilot last week! I'll post it when I'm done...

Erin and I were also housesitting for a friend, Zieak, who happened to have some available laundry facilities along with a tanning bed!



We really appreciated being able to help him out to say the least.

We have continued our experimental cooking, this is Erin showing off a chicken pot pie. We will be bringing this recipe to family gatherings soon...



We moved from our old apartment in town to a newer apartment on the north end of Mitkof Island on Sandy Beach Road. It is a one bedroom apartment with some great views of the ocean and includes internet, cable and utilities, and is much more to our liking.

Here is the view from our front door.



Kitchen



Living room



Bedroom


(Notice the new duvet cover, Erin is very happy)

What do you get this girl?



I figured a girl who decides to come to Alaska with me deserves some flowers once in awhile...



THE BOAT TRIP

Erin, Orin and I took a boat trip on Saturday with the intention of seeing the Le Conte Glacier and fishing... We got WAY more out of the trip than we expected...


First Erin and I got some rain bibs. Orin approves

On the way to the glacier we came upon a Sealion "haulout" the noise of them grunting and roaring was spectacular.


It sounded like a the best burping/belching contest ever...

As we continued on our way to the glacier (which we could not reach due to large icebergs) we came across some beautiful icebergs 4 times the size of our boat! Navigation to the glacier got pretty interesting so we decided to wait until later to make an attempt at the glacier.



On the way back we had a brilliant idea to stop at a small island to make a fire to grill hotdogs, luckily we consulted our tidebooks before getting too into the idea and realized we would be stranded due to a receding tide, so that idea went out the window, and we enjoyed cold hotdogs for lunch (actually not too bad)



While we snacked on our hotdogs in the bay, we saw far out in the distance what looked to be a small plume of smoke. We soon found that we had come across at least two humback whales!!!!!


If you look closely you can see the black dot on the surface... we didn't have great zooming capabilities

We were ecstatic and motored a little closer for a look. We saw them dive, and throw their flukes into the air as they sank below the surface, it was amazing.


Erin driving the boat



We headed back to Petersburg for some much needed warm coffee and a short rest before heading a short ways down the Wrangell Narrows to a halibut fishing spot we had heard about.

In short time Orin and I had managed to get our hooks caught below the boat in a "little rascals" moment where we both thought we had a nibble...

Frustrated fishermen

We then began our odd fishing session that began with reeling up these peculiar sea cucumberesque creatures that ate our bait in a matter of minutes!




Orin even managed to reel up a Tanner Crab


(below the legal limit unfortunately)

He also caught a Halibut (our fishing target) and after some debate we decided to keep it. It turned out to be a legal catch, but did not yield a significant amount of flesh... oh well it was something.



All in all it was a spectacular day filled with great memories. I was extremely happy that Erin could experience some of the truly Alaskan experiences.

Today we finished unpacking our stuff in the new apartment and Erin made a fantastic spaghetti feast.

Can't beat the scenery.