Kayaking on Lake Clark

Yesterday Ranger Chris and I decided to head out on a kayaking adventure.  His days are numbered in the park (leaving us all on thursday) so we had to pack in some fun before he goes!  I'm amazed with the weather here.  It was 70 degrees (and climbing) and sunny!  From what I've heard, this weather is rare, so we really have to enjoy it while we can.  Usually it's raining and dreary, but on those sunny days, you're crazy not to get out and play for a bit.

The original plan was to kayak a couple miles and go berry picking.  But just like the weather, plans here change pretty quickly.  After reaching the beach, we realized that my kayak oars didn't connect properly, so Chris had to run back and get me another.  So for the first half hour of our excursion, I sat on a log by the water and took pictures.  Not a too terrible way to spend my time I'd say. 

 Finally, Chris returned with the oar, and we could set out.  I was pretty reluctant to put on a life-vest, but once we were on the water, I stuck my hand in, and quickly realized why we wear them.  That water was COLD!  I believe it was 50 degrees (and that's warm for this water).  I was pretty worried then about tipping over.  I've kayaked before, but never in water as cold as this.   

 While we were out, I pulled my camera out of my bag.  Let me tell you....that was quite the balancing act!  It was in front of me, and I had to make sure I didn't lose my oar.  Unlike places I've been kayaking before, if you lose your oar here, you're out of luck.  At points the lake is over 800 ft deep.  And you can never tell how deep it is because of all the glacial silt in the water.  But, I succeeded in getting the camera, and was able to snap a few pictures. 

 The waves started getting pretty big at one point, and we had to turn around.  We only went a half mile out, but it sure felt like more!  We rode the waves back a bit, and went out further in the opposite direction, then turned right round again.  Kept passing the same places, but it was fine by me.  I'll never grow tired of the view.  Due to the waves though, we had to abort our berry-picking plans. There's no way we'd make it back after the wind picked up. 

 Don't I look like a pro?  At the end of our trip I finally learned how to use the rudder.  I've never heard of such a thing on a kayak!  When you get out into the waves, it really does help you out.  For the first part of the trip I was pretty stubborn about putting it in the water, but on the way back, it became necessary. 

Overall, it was a great way to spend a Monday evening.  After being in the V.C. for days, it was amazing to get out and actually do something!  Hopefully my next adventure will be just as awesome!

CB get your gun!

Adventures are abound!  Last week I learned how to shoot!  Ranger Chris took me out to our "shooting range" which is just a path in the woods.  We pinned up a couple targets (unfortunately they were of people...although the other option was a bear print, and I don't think I'd like that either).  He brought a couple guns to try, a glock, and a rifle.  I opted for the glock, because well, quite honestly I was pretty afraid to shoot a rifle.  Everyone has told me that the kickback on a rifle would leave a bruise on my shoulder, and I wasn't quite up to that. 

After a run through about safety, and what to expect, Chris shot off a couple rounds into his target, then gave me the gun!  I was very intimidated by it.  Not quite what I expected.  Honestly that was the first gun I've ever held.  Mom wouldn't even let us have squirt-guns in the backyard (remember that Mama?).

But once I got situated with the gun, I gave it a try.  My first shot scared the hell out of me!  It was so loud, and so powerful!  But as it turns out, I'm a good shot!  I shot 14 rounds, and as you can see from the picture, they all went on the target, and near the center.  I'm told that's the goal.

Overall, it was a great day!  I never thought that I'd learn how to shoot a gun, and here I am, in Alaska doing target practice.  I don't think shooting will become a hobby, but it was a good experience.  And I'm glad to say that I've acquired a new skill!

Silk screens and Wolfy things

Goodness, I'm behind!  Let me take you back to 2 weeks ago...Every Wednesday we have a children's program in the afternoon, and a guest presentation in the evening for adults.  The past events we've had have had pretty good attendance.  But the last program day we had?  Woah, holy ton of people!

In the afternoon we had Tish B., a local artist, come into the V.C. to show the kids how to make silk screen prints.  What a great craft!  The basic idea is that you cut out a pattern of your choice (I made a snipe...a type of bird) and then use that pattern to create a unique painting.  The process is as follows:

1) Cut out a pattern
2) Place a sheet of white paper on the bottom of the apparatus
3) Place pattern on top of paper
4) Put screen down on top of both
5) Pick your ink color, and spread it across the top of the frame
6) Use a squeegee to pull ink towards you
7) Lift screen
8) Remove painting
9) Voila!  ART! 

It's super easy, but kind of hard to describe online.  I'll just have to do a demonstration when I get home.  Note to you all, I charge $10 an hour for my crafting services.

It was great to see the kids be creative though.  Usually we provide everything for them, but this day they had to make their own patterns.  I was merely there to supervise and make sure ink wasn't thrown all over.  And we had quite the turn-out!  40 people!  I thought the V.C. was going to burst!  I don't think we've had that many people in there at once, so I'd say it was quite the success.

That evening we had our wildlife biologist, Buck, come in and give a lecture on wolves in the park.  I was super excited to hear about them.  Wolves aren't really something you think about in Alaska, what with the bears, eagles, and moose being the biggest draws to attention.  I was particularly interested in the wolves this week because I had just finished a book on wolves (Winter Study by Nevada Barr if you're looking for a good read).  I learned a lot about wolves and their behavior, where they are in the park, how we monitor them, etc.  But the biggest thing I took away from this discussion was the presenter himself.  His role as biologist is to study all the animals in the park, and you could really tell that he loves his job.  He talked so passionately about the wolves.  And just seemed so interested in his work.  It really gives me a sense of hope that I'll end up doing something along the line that I'm really passionate about.  I don't care how long it takes, or how many jobs it takes to get there, that's the end goal.  To find something I'm passionate about, do it, and enjoy it.  That's what we're all looking for though isn't it? 

A walk in the woods

Homesickness hit hard this last month.  Learning to live in a new place, with new people and new experiences has been pretty tough.  But I've realized that in time, no matter where you are, or what situations you find yourself in, you need to have a place to go to that makes you feel better about everything.  For me, that place is the Tanalian Falls Trail.  I've spoken of it already, but I have to tell you all, this is the place to go when you need to quietly reflect.  When you need to get away from it all, and have a moment to yourself.

Every Tuesday I'm supposed to be leading a Falls Trail Hike, going over the botany of the region and fun facts, and well, so far, I've only had 2 participants in the last 3 weeks.  So this week, when nobody showed up, I went alone.  Yes, alone.  Not the smartest thing to do I know, what with the fact that there are bears in the region, and well, I haven't been given bear spray yet (yeah, that's a thing, weird I know).  But I needed to get out of the V.C. and have an adventure.  So I took to the trail.  Walking alone, the best safety measures you can take are to make as much noise as possible, and make yourself known.  I'm not the most vocal person to begin with, so I was happy to play my iPod and sing along.  No bear in its right mind would try to come near me.  I just don't sound very appetizing (at least that's what my hope is).

The trail provided a level of comfort out in this strange environment that I didn't expect.  I found that I really enjoyed the exertion of climbing the trail (it's mostly uphill), and of stopping every now and then to look around and really admire what was around me.  Part of the reason I chose to go into the environmental field was the desire to protect places like this.  Nature makes you feel better.  It's a fact.  Having a bad day, cooped up in an office environment?  Go outside for a spell.  Even if it's raining.  I guarantee you'll feel better after you breath in some fresh air.

 Plus, when you go outside, and really look around, you may surprise yourself with what you find!  I had stopped for a moment on the way up to the falls, and turned around, and there was this red squirrel chilling out in the tree.  Usually they freak out when they see a human.  Nothing like the squirrels back home.  These ones want you to know you aren't wanted.  But this one was different.  He sat there, looked at me for a bit, and decided I wasn't a threat.  He held still for a picture.  And was on his way.  Doing squirrely things I'm sure.

I guess what I'm trying to say with this post is that although I've been feeling down about the whole being away from home thing, moments like these remind me that I'm lucky to be out here.  Walks like these help me to get back on track.  I just needed some air in my lungs, some sun in my face.  I just needed to get outside!  So if you are ever feeling down, take a trip outside.  You'll feel better.  I sure did.