A long bumpy kind of day.

This week Alaska is having strong winds that usually are more into springtime but as we have had crazy weather all winter it seems the ‘big blow’ has come early.  Monday had winds over 75 mph and one house in the valley had the whole roof ripped off and as it broke up it scattered pieces over a two block area.  In Palmer several airplanes had been blown off their tie downs and tumbled over and over across the airport.

For a coworker and me, we left at 0 dark thirty to catch a plane headed for Kodiak so we could catch another smaller plane to take us across the island to the village of Old Harbor to do a little recon of an upcoming project we are starting soon.  The project on paper had several areas where we have questions on how and what we will be able to do so it was decided to go there and see first hand what will be involved and to take pictures of the area where we will build a new village water storage tank and water treatment plant.

The takeoff out of Anchorage was quite bumpy for the first 20 minutes until we climbed out enough to clear the mountains effect and then it was a smooth ride through the darkness on a cold early morning.  I could see the lights of Kenai and Soldotna below as most people slept as there was little activity that I could see as we flew over.

In a few minutes I could see Homer come into view in all its sleepiness beauty.  The road coming down the mountain into town was empty and I could see the lights of the airport below but no planes were ready to travel at that hour.  The Homer Spit was lit up by the boat harbor and it looked like several boats were being readied for sailing in the tanner crab opener Tuesday morning.

I drank my coffee as I looked below thinking about past times in Homer fishing and hanging out with friends.  We started our decent into Kodiak and again the plane started to bounce and buffet around as were tossed around as we descended towards the runway and a dark landing into this sleepy little town.  We taxied over to the terminal building and walked out onto the cold ramp area as everyone made their way between the plane and the ramp doorway into the building.  We only had our carryon bags so we walked outside over to Servant Air’s operation for our next flight to Old Harbor.

It was still dark and cold as we walked across the tarmac to the other operation.  The wind cut through your clothes and chilled to the bone but that did not matter as it was going to be a long day outside in the elements once we arrive at Old Harbor.  The people at Servant told us we were in a weather hold as it was too windy to make the flight to Old Harbor or anywhere else at that point.  We waited several hours as the wind started to die down as daybreak dawned across sky.  There were several other people waiting to go to several villages so we sat and chatted while drinking coffee or hot chocolate. 

Finally Jason, our pilot came and loaded the plane’s cargo area with our bags or luggage and other items headed for the village.  This flight was on an “islander” type plane which can carry eight people.   Jason loaded up the plane as to everyone’s weight and I ended up in the copilot seat for the forty five minute flight to Old Harbor. 

The light of day had dawned a little earlier and the snow capped mountains around the airport were just starting to see the first glimpses of sunlight.  On one ridgeline just off the airport I could see three wind generators spinning making alternative energy from the ever blowing source on the island, a welcome cheap way to help power Kodiak Alaska.

The takeoff was smooth but almost as soon as we were airborne things were quite bumpy as we climbed up to altitude.  As we rose over the snow covered mountains which were now glistening with the orange/red color of the sun just coming up we turned and headed southeast toward Old Harbor.  I could see the snow blowing off the top of the mountains like wisps of smoke as the strong winds filled every valley and hilltop in the range. 

We crossed several ridges and then turned along a valley that looked like it had been carved out by glaciers over centuries ago as the valley had the distinctive look to it as the ice carves it way along leaving a broad smooth ‘U’ shape to the valley.  As we flew the length and crossed several inlets I could see the bright lights of a fishing boat up ahead.  We slowly started our decent as I realized the ship was anchored in the channel of Old Harbor.

I could see the runway below and the village with its three distinct areas of houses spread around the shoreline.  The pilot flew his downwind leg as we descended after clearing the mountains on our approach.  The plane bounced quite a bit as we turned our base to final leg and I could see that the fishing boat was readying it self to depart for crab season in the morning.  There were several vehicles waiting at the airport for our arrival as Jason brought the plane in for a nice landing.  We turned around on the runway and headed back to the area to deplane.

Brian, my coworker and I waited a few minutes in the wind to see if our contact was going to meet up with us.  After a few minutes we started walking into town from the airport heading to City Hall or the Health Clinic.  It was about a mile walk to the office and luckily there was a lady working upstairs who was able to locate one of our contacts.

Simon came over to take us over to the existing water treatment plant so we could do our recon and picture taking activities for the new equipment.  The land area was somewhat marshy and the hill leading up the new water storage tank was quite steep.  The roadway we will make up to the new site will have its difficulties and may need to be reworked as there is really no good source of fill gravel and may possibly need to blast and make enough fill rock for this project.  We looked at the two existing rock quarry’s to see if they had been totally mined out and from the looks of things it will not be a source of too much rock so I will need to find another source.

We met up with the Mayor who was leaving the next morning for the crab opener so our timing could not have been better to work out some of the details.  Brian and I headed out and walked back towards the airport and as we walked by I noticed that on one of the light poles there had been a bald eagle sitting on top all day long. 

He was there when we first walked by and was there two other times we drove by as well as now heading back to the airport.  He watched us each time we came by turning his head this way and that as we wandered by.

Other than the wind blowing all day it turned out to be a gorgeous Alaska winters day.  The sun was shining bright and we watched it make its way across the sky heading towards the water to set shortly. 

We waited several hours for our plane and as we waited there was not much to do but watch the happenings in the village from our viewpoint.  There was a pickup truck loaded with several teenagers followed by a four wheel ATV that stopped by the only hanger on the airport property.  There was a small plane parked behind the hanger and while one person fueled the plane the other four kids climbed the rocky hill behind the plane.  One of the kids was female and it was interesting to watch the two boys with her climb the rock wall and run down the ridge to a place where they could slide down to the ground level again.  There were several times they did this with each boy trying to do it faster than the other one.

Also during this time one vehicle after another headed up the road to the airport parking off to one side close to where the plane would turn around and park to unload and load items.  A pickup came, and then an ATV followed by two vans, a couple of cars, and then a couple more ATV’s and over the next hour a few more vehicles of all types.  The airport turned into a big social gathering place where everyone went from vehicle to vehicle to talk with one another and to exchange items.  It was an interesting dynamic to watch unfold before us. 

Our plane was late arriving back to pick us up and when it finally was overhead there must have been about 30 to 40 people waiting on the plane.  Several were fishermen waiting on supplies before leaving in the morning for tanner crab.  As the plane taxied in and stopped there was only the pilot and one other person on the plane but the back was loaded with boxes and other items.  It took another 20 minutes to get the items off loaded and into the waiting vehicles.

Finally we boarded the plane and took off back to Kodiak to catch another flight back to Anchorage.  The sun was setting as we climbed up over the surrounding mountains again with the orange/red glow from the setting sun.  As we made our bumpy way across the island the vibrant colors slowly change to the purples and grays as the darkness set in.  We were hoping to make our connecting flight with Alaska Airlines but running late I was pretty sure it was not to be.  I could see the windmills turning as we approached the airport but as we landed and taxied back to our ramp I could see the ground crew pushing back the stairs to the 737.  So much for making that flight so there was no rush now to finish up with Servant Air as we would have several hours until the next flight.  We paid our bill and walked over to the counter in the main terminal to rebook our flight and check in.  It was only a few minutes before our paperwork was complete and we headed over to the coffee shop across the way.  The barista was closing up but told us the Comfort Inn down the street should be opening for dinner by the time we walked down the street.

I was ready to warm up and drink a cup of coffee or two while we waited and the waitress was nice letting us sit there for a couple hours waiting for the next flight.  We walked back up to the terminal and waited for the plane to land so we could head home agreeing it had been a long day already with it lasting a little bit longer.

We finally boarded the plane and took off heading to Anchorage.  It was bumpy the whole way.  I could see the lights of Soldotna below and knew it was only another thirty minutes until we would land.  I was tired and hungry but also knew I had another busy day on hand for Tuesday with the first day of an OSHA safety and CPR course.

I remote started my rig so it would warm up by the time I was able to walk out of the terminal but when I walked out I did not see my rig.  I hit the door button so the horn would sound and could faintly hear it as I walked to another area of the parking lot.  After several horn blasts I found my rig and drove home.

A long day for sure with its bumps and turns but one that gave new insight into my next project.

Ice