Small boat harbor
Russian Orthodox Seminary (replica of building built in 1792)
Russian musicians
Lauren and Cooper
(left to right) Cliff and Leslyn Ashdown, Jerry and Jan, Barbara and Rich Eddy (standing), Glenn and Judy Weirick (seated), John and Mary Lou ShoemakerNeither of us had been to Kodiak before, so we were anxious to visit this remote northern Alaskan island with over 15,000 inhabitants. Lucky for us the day, although cloudy most of the time, did not shed one drop of rain on us. We met our 25-passenger touring bus and driver just before 11:00 am and were off to explore the city. Our bus stopped many times, the first being at Kodiak’s “small” boat harbor, home to the city’s fleet of fishing and crab boats. We also stopped at the “large” boat harbor, which housed tour boats, larger fishing boats, and a variety of commercial vessels including the boat from “The Deadliest Catch” whose name I forgot and the Saga boat (for those of you, like our office staff, who watch that series). The movie, “The Guardian,” was also filmed here.
Our next stop was at St. Herman Russian Orthodox Seminary and the Russian Orthodox Church, both with a long history in Kodiak. Russians settled Kodiak in 1792…and have left a lengthy legacy of Russian influence on the city. The Father spoke to us for about 15 minutes and it was very informative. The Seminary primarily trains natives to deal with their congregations both spiritually and physically through alcohol and drug abuse programs. One fascinating item we learned was that the “onion domes” on top of the Russian churches actually represent flames which symbolize prayers being offered up.
We enjoyed a short stop at the Northern Exposure Art Gallery (the only gallery on the island), where we purchased some scented hand soap and an Alaskan magnet. Everything else for sale in the store (paintings, frames, native baskets, etc.) was too large to fit into our already stuffed suitcases.
Lunch was the highlight of the day’s shore excursion. We were treated to Russian citrus tea, borscht, Russian tea cakes and piroshkies. Each was a delight. And, as we enjoyed our meal, we were entertained by the Balalaika Players, a local band performing traditional Russian music. They were appropriately dressed in traditional Russian costumes. The group is made up of people in a wide range of careers…from Coast Guard personnel to doctors to retired librarians. And, they were great!
While we were in the small hotel enjoying lunch, Lauren Meier and her 2 year old son, Cooper, friends from our church in Kirkland, WA visited with Jan. Lauren’s husband, Scott, is in Kodiak on assignment with the Coast Guard. Kodiak’s CG base is the largest in all the United States with 3,000 people attached. Coincidentally, after our tour left the hotel, we were driven past the Coast Guard facility and out to our final stop of the day, a site where a river crosses under the highway and normally contains thousands of salmon making their way upstream to spawn. Unfortunately, this year the salmon run is the smallest our guide has seen in her 30+ years leading tours. As fate would have it, we learned that a Kodiak bear had been in this very spot just minutes before we arrived. Everyone poured out of our bus, anticipating a glimpse of the bear…but, none was seen.
That night was our ship’s first formal night, and we were invited to Judy Weirick’s birthday party. We arrived at their suite for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 pm, which was followed by dinner for ten in the Compass Rose dining room. Glenn had selected a special menu for the evening; Jan had Dover sole, while Jerry enjoyed the Chateaubriand complete with specially selected French wines. It was a very enjoyable evening. Now we are definitely ready for four consecutive sea days!
Special notes about Kodiak: Catching Dungeness crabs is a major vocation of many who reside here…fully equipped, crab traps alone cost around $1000 apiece…Kodiak suffered the loss of its downtown area during the 1964 Anchorage earthquake (now considered to have been 9.2 on the Richter scale) which lasted a full 5 minutes here…Kodiak is home to the largest fish cannery in Alaska processing 1.8 million pounds in 2007…Kodiak bears are not really dangerous to humans (only one fatality is on record)…the city’s population is 20% Filipino, 15% Hispanic, and 10% Native American....Kodiak has 9 foot tides. Next stop: Petrapavlosk, Siberia, Russia.
Our next stop was at St. Herman Russian Orthodox Seminary and the Russian Orthodox Church, both with a long history in Kodiak. Russians settled Kodiak in 1792…and have left a lengthy legacy of Russian influence on the city. The Father spoke to us for about 15 minutes and it was very informative. The Seminary primarily trains natives to deal with their congregations both spiritually and physically through alcohol and drug abuse programs. One fascinating item we learned was that the “onion domes” on top of the Russian churches actually represent flames which symbolize prayers being offered up.
We enjoyed a short stop at the Northern Exposure Art Gallery (the only gallery on the island), where we purchased some scented hand soap and an Alaskan magnet. Everything else for sale in the store (paintings, frames, native baskets, etc.) was too large to fit into our already stuffed suitcases.
Lunch was the highlight of the day’s shore excursion. We were treated to Russian citrus tea, borscht, Russian tea cakes and piroshkies. Each was a delight. And, as we enjoyed our meal, we were entertained by the Balalaika Players, a local band performing traditional Russian music. They were appropriately dressed in traditional Russian costumes. The group is made up of people in a wide range of careers…from Coast Guard personnel to doctors to retired librarians. And, they were great!
While we were in the small hotel enjoying lunch, Lauren Meier and her 2 year old son, Cooper, friends from our church in Kirkland, WA visited with Jan. Lauren’s husband, Scott, is in Kodiak on assignment with the Coast Guard. Kodiak’s CG base is the largest in all the United States with 3,000 people attached. Coincidentally, after our tour left the hotel, we were driven past the Coast Guard facility and out to our final stop of the day, a site where a river crosses under the highway and normally contains thousands of salmon making their way upstream to spawn. Unfortunately, this year the salmon run is the smallest our guide has seen in her 30+ years leading tours. As fate would have it, we learned that a Kodiak bear had been in this very spot just minutes before we arrived. Everyone poured out of our bus, anticipating a glimpse of the bear…but, none was seen.
That night was our ship’s first formal night, and we were invited to Judy Weirick’s birthday party. We arrived at their suite for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 pm, which was followed by dinner for ten in the Compass Rose dining room. Glenn had selected a special menu for the evening; Jan had Dover sole, while Jerry enjoyed the Chateaubriand complete with specially selected French wines. It was a very enjoyable evening. Now we are definitely ready for four consecutive sea days!
Special notes about Kodiak: Catching Dungeness crabs is a major vocation of many who reside here…fully equipped, crab traps alone cost around $1000 apiece…Kodiak suffered the loss of its downtown area during the 1964 Anchorage earthquake (now considered to have been 9.2 on the Richter scale) which lasted a full 5 minutes here…Kodiak is home to the largest fish cannery in Alaska processing 1.8 million pounds in 2007…Kodiak bears are not really dangerous to humans (only one fatality is on record)…the city’s population is 20% Filipino, 15% Hispanic, and 10% Native American....Kodiak has 9 foot tides. Next stop: Petrapavlosk, Siberia, Russia.
2 comments:
Called to catch up, but Greg said you were on a cruise and to check out this site. Great towns and interesting stories! Next time, see if you can take a cruise down the St. Lawrence Seaway to Lake Erie and come visit us. Miss you guys. Love, Angela
Tell Glenn and Judy that I am following your exploits from your postings and love to read about what you all are doing. Glenn always seems to be at a table, is he able to walk? My invitation to Judy's party must have been lost in the mail. President Putin just called to say that your not being able to land was a miscommunication and to come back and he will personally show you the town. Keep having fun, but do not read US business papers or the fun will end. Alden
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