Well, one thing that Adak has is birds. It’s evidently a world renown bird watcher destination- one of the few real tourist attractions that causes people to come to this island is to watch the migration season at Clam Lagoon.

So, I tried my hand and my camera at bird watching this week. I have to say, I could get used to this…. I had some fun.

Here’s three photo sets. This one is of the like 50+ pictures I got of Eagles this week. They are all over the mountain cliffs, streams, and river ways.

This one is of the same American Bald Eagle, but in it’s pre-sexually mature juvenile state where it’s plumage is brown and it’s beak black. Go figure… I even sound like a bird watcher with that sentence.
This one is of the many variety of birds I saw and photographed as I traipsed all over the place with my camera. I have no idea what most of them are- cuz I suck at being a bird watcher. But it can be lots of fun. Be sure to click on it to make them large enough to enjoy.

Here’s my photo collage of our hike and the distance we hiked is from our beater rental suburban to the top of Mt. Moffett, viewed in the far right of the picture.

And here’s my favorite picture of the week.. my Dad standing in view of the rarely seen from Adak- and a sight that very few people on the planet will ever enjoy face to face- the perfect volcanic cone of Kanaga Island.

I have returned to my birthplace and discovered what’s wrong with me… I’m from buttcrack nowhere.

But, believe it or not, they have espresso and free wireless internet here! Go figure! I’m sure starbucks will be here in a year or so 🙂

Anyway, my Dad has been telling stories to me and anyone who will listen since the plane ride. It cracked me up to see my Dad showing the map of the island to the stewardess on Alaska Airlines who has been flying out here for the last 20 years. She was so excited to hear my Dad’s stories and he was happy to share. (My sister and brother-in-law would be proud of Dad’s infamous and creative use of his transitions this week… speaking of __________, let me tell you about ________. )

Our first two days here were very rare clear days which we maximized and I’ll share more to come. It’s been funny to be here in a small town and a fun to walk around. For my Dad, who was in charge of some of the maintenance here- it’s been a mix of fun and sadness I think to see somewhere he had fond memories of be so trashed by vandalism, neglect, and the weather for much of the old buildings… but all in all… we’ve had a great time.

Here’s a collage of the arrival our first day….

Dad and I spent Father’s Day on ice. We had one day to burn before a 5pm flight to Adak, so we chose to go hiking on a glacier about 95 miles outside of town. It was a little lazy of a hike… I would have enjoyed a little more adventure or risk… but besides that, it was beautiful. Lauren from Minnesota and Cornelia from New Zealand- of all places- were our guides.

The weather was nice, it was fun to hike in crampons, and to see a glacier face to face. It was a great way to spend Father’s Day with my Dad.

Well, I met my dad in Seattle… one of the nicest airports in the world if you ask me. I actually stopped and took some pictures it’s so pretty there. They have this HUGE glass wall where you can sit and watch the planes take off and land. It’s amazing.

Dad and I then flew together to Anchorage where it was ridiculously warm. Everyone was in short sleeves and we spent some time poking around town, signed up for a guided hike the next day, and then ate a sweet fresh seafood dinner- Alaskan style.