Life on the Rock

It's April on the 'Rock'. The 'Rock' is what locals affectionately call their island home. I think it might be a tongue in cheek reference to Alcatraz, and the fact that sometimes flights in and out of Kodiak are grounded for days at a time. Or it might refer to our position as a large island in the Gulf of Alaska far out in the North Pacific Ocean.

I see it as a plus that it is often difficult to get in and out of Kodiak. That's why we live on an Island. The sense of isolation creates community comradery - a feeling that we are all in this together. A feeling of community self-sufficiency.

There is nothing like sitting in front of the fire at home while a mighty winter storm sweeps in from the North Pacific. A storm that would make headline news if it occurred in the lower 48, but is a ho hum event here on the Rock. No flights out of Kodiak for days at a time, and the airport seems like a scene from the American Embassy in Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. Then again it is stressful when traveling home with kids and you get stuck in Anchorage. .. .. Still, nothing like a little adversity to create character.

Kodiak has a lot of character and characters.

Patrick