Exploring Nature by Sheila Newenham
The rising sun casts a warm peach glow across the calm, flat waters of Kukak Bay. We arrived here after dark last night dropping anchor next to Eagle Rock where a pair of oystercatchers is now starting their day. A sea otter is floating, bobbing, … Continue readingKukak Bay Serenity
It’s a rare, sunny, blue-sky, August day on the Katmai Coast. There’s a nice breeze that is keeping the bugs at bay. I can see bears fishing in the river and others walking the beach toward the mouth of the bay. I am eager to … Continue readingTwo Days Full of Bears in Geographic Harbor
After quickly adding layers – long underwear, rain pants, wool socks, thermal undershirt, sweater, coat, hat, and gloves – I grabbed my backpack and hip waders and boarded the skiff for our first trip ashore. We passed what I first thought was a sea otter. … Continue readingOur First Steps in Geographic Harbor
Low tide almost empties the terminal end of the Kamishak Bay in Geographic Harbor leaving a stunning technicolor braided river in its place. The opaque blues of the glacial silt mix with the sand and soil from recent rains. We fly over this majestic landscape … Continue readingKatmai Bears by Boat: A Week on an Old Tugboat
After six days in Lake Clark National park, the morning of our departure arrived. I awoke early to take advantage of one last bear viewing trip before breakfast only to find us socked in with fog. As I’m not so fond of the early rising, … Continue readingBest Flight Delay Ever!
At the lodge in Lake Clark, our assigned guide was at our disposal. Want to go out before breakfast at 6am? Want to go out after lunch? Want to go on a hike? He’ll take you. I’m not sure when he sleeps or showers. Maybe … Continue readingA Rainy Day at the Lodge
One morning while we were staying in Lake Clark, we took the opportunity to go with one other couple to Puffin Island. We departed late morning on a low-tide loading. The boat is moored far off from the high tide line where it can still … Continue readingPuffin Island
I always look for a fishing outing as we plan our trips to Alaska. I am not so much of a fisherman that I look specifically to fish, but if an opportunity is available I’ll take it. I knew there were fishing opportunities at the … Continue readingFishing (a guest post authored by Rob)
Oliver arrived with the boat in the late afternoon, dropping off two people, firewood, water and some supplies. We were a bit sad to leave this quiet, full wilderness but the promise of being able to go to the bears instead of waiting for the … Continue readingBack to the Lodge
Oliver is coming on the boat to pick us up sometime today. Yesterday he told us he’d be by around 1:00, but that’s low tide so we all know he will be late. It’s Alaska Time and the schedule is just sort of a suggestion, … Continue readingA Nine-Bear Day