Polar Bear Club

Hello again everyone,

First things first. I may now reveal Andy's secret, although some of you may have found out on facebook. Andy's cutter (boat) entered the Arctic Circle, something that only 2% of sailors/coasties get to experience. This is a HUGE, HUGE honor and experience for he and all the other men and women on the cutter.

Here are Andy's exact words as to what happened. (USCGC means U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. Munro is the name of his boat)

"Andy and the crew of the USCGC Munro crossed the Arctic Circle, Had Davey Jones on board sent by King Neptune Rex the crew had a fun initiation for 2 days swam in the Arctic Ocean and now Andy is a Polar Bear".

I can tell you that the water was 40 degrees and the air temp was about 41 degrees. I am soooooo cold just thinking about it. They even get a special certificate and a pin for their uniform (I think).

Since we are on the subject of the USCG, I'll will continue. Andy and I hadn't gotten our oil changed since we left the lower 48, so the truck needed one BADLY. Kodiak does not have any kind of quick oil changing places like a Jiffy Lube, etc. So if your husband is underway you can go to the Auto Hobby Shop on base and get an oil change for $8. What a deal right? Well sort of.

I was not told that you need to bring your own oil and oil filter. WHAT? Now I am no Princess but, what kind of oil and oil filter do I need to buy? So I dialed up Andy's brother in law that works for Toyota and he came to my rescue. Then I headed to Napa where the guy was super nice and totally hooked me up with what I needed. So I finally got my oil changed on base for $8. It is very nice to know that when you husband is underway you can get the help you need.

I haven't had any new bear spotting's but did get a chance to go to several beaches with the dogs. The beaches here mostly have black sand a lots of rocks, flat rocks, the kind that are good for skipping across water, which I have not mastered yet. They also have very tall cliffs and alot of times the water is green and tropical looking.

One of the beaches is at Ft. Abercrombie. Ft. A has remnants of WWII military installation, which I have attached some pictures of. There is ALOT of WWII history on this island.

One final note. The "pink" pretty flowers I am posting a picture of is Fire Weed. The blooming of fireweed symbolizes the end of summer : ( I sure hope Andy makes it home for a day or 2 of 60 degree weather.

I am still working on fish and bear pictures.

Much love

Andy and Nancy