Day 15: July 5, 2009

(Note: After several days with no internet access, we're back in Kodiak.  We posted entries for our time on Shuyak Island and our first day on Camp Island, and we'll post the remaining entries by Thursday.  Check below for descriptions and photos.)

"Ummm, I ordered a vegetarian meal?"  --Mike Pauker

"Is it a little stuffy back there?  I'll put down the window." --Josh, our floatplane pilot

We finished packing early this morning and headed to Trident Pass for our floatplane rides.  We traveled in two separate planes, and the rides were incredible.  We essentially flew down the spine of Kodiak Island to Camp Island, so for most of the journey, we looked out the windows at mountains on either side of the plane.  It was a spectacular way to see the island.  We wore headsets and enjoyed chatting with our pilots, and both Josh and Adam were friendly and willing to answer our questions.  And, as you can see from our Quote of the Day, one benefit of flying at 3500 feet is that we could actually roll down the window (!!) in order to control the temperature of the cabin.  

We landed in Karluk Lake and unloaded on Camp Island, where we went to work making lunch.  The cabins are sparse but functional; the shelves are fully stocked, and we collect and boil lake water in order to cook and clean dishes.  After lunch, we went for our first bear viewing expedition.  We saw one large bear in the Thumb River and another bear on the edge of the lake.  The cabin manager, Alex, said there were relatively few salmon in the river, so the bears may be hard to find this week.  These first two animals, however, were really impressive.  As large as they were, they moved over land and through the water with ease.  

We managed to visit Camp Island on one of the hottest days of the summer, and by the time we returned from the bear viewing, we were all uncomfortably hot and sweaty.  So, even though the lake was frigid (it's fed by the North Pacific), we all wound up in the water for a quick, refreshing dip.  As cold as the water was, this was one of the highlights of the trip so far.  Our morale probably hasn't been higher than during the 30 seconds or so we all whooped and screamed together in the water (mostly out of enjoyment but partially out of a fear of frostbite).  Justin even managed to stay in for a full 20 minutes, and since Mr. Hoek offered him 50 cents per minute, Justin made a quick ten dollars!

Tonight's dinner was grilled chicken, broccoli, and Kraft macaroni and cheese.  Katie and the interns also made an apple dessert and a chocolate chip bar dessert for today's birthday celebration.  Mr. Hoek turned 30, and his family sent a few cards and about two dozen photos from the past 30 years; a few of the interns really enjoyed seeing photos from his "Awkward Years".  

We turned in by about 11:30pm, and we'll start tomorrow with an invasive species removal.  Click below for today's photos.

http://tinyurl.com/ms53gn