Still on the Rock

Gosh, it has almost been a month since our last post. Unfortunately that does not mean we have been blinded by a winter storm. I know, I know, be careful what you wish for and don't rush mother nature because it will be here before you know it.

In our last post I failed to mention that one of Andy's favorite bands, The Lonesome River Band, actually came to Kodiak for a performance. As some of you may know, they are an awesome group of Bluegrass, singers, songwriters and musicians. Andy was beside himself to attend their show and we even got pictures with them. I think it made him a little homesick for Nashville. But, nothing beats Mike Pruitt and The Waste Management Band on a Saturday night at the Full Moon Saloon in Nashville (or playing at our wedding).

As some of you Facebook Friends know, me and my girl friends enjoyed ourselves at Ladies Night at Kodiak's True Value, yes, the True Value Hardware Store. When we got there at 6:45pm (for a 7:00pm opening) the line had already formed at least 70 people deep. I know this b/c the first 50 ladies got free gift bags and we did not. For those men that are reading this do not be jealous, Andy was there but, attached to my ear via cell phone and was presented a VERY nice Milwaukee drill when I returned home.

Another interesting fact about our island is the Lauch Facility that we have here. Ironically it is named "Kodiak Lauch Facilty." It does exactly what you think it would, it launches rockets/missles into space. By no means am I a rocket scientist but, I did witness the launch along with my friend Melissa and other Kodiak residents. I know that it released 6 satellites 400 miles above the Earth, then firing a liquid-fueled thruster to boost its orbit another 300 miles higher. I have provided pictures of the launch but, if you want further information you can go to www.spaceflightnow.minotaur/stps26.status.html I also applaud the people that thought to bring their RV's and tailgate to witness this monumental event : )

Andy is leaving the rock tomorrow for a 10 day class in Gods Country aka. San Diego, California. He has never been and all I can tell him is not to come back with a lower 48 attitude (ha ha). Truthfully I am jealous that he will be around a mall, buildings that are more than 3 stories, temperatures above 40 degrees and staples (groceries) that don't expire 5 days after you buy them. Living here on the island one MUST be aware of expiration dates on EVERYTHING and I even mean beef jerkey!

Today while Andy and his buddies were 4 wheeling they saw mama bear and 3 baby cubs. She squared off with Andy, who was in front of the line, and then decided to take her kids and retreat into the woods. One of the guys even said they still had their white rings around their necks. But, they were very fat and appeared to be making their beds for a long sleep. We are waiting on pictures from the guy who was last in the line.

Well that's about all the excitement I can report in one posting. We want to let everyone know that we are thinking about them and miss them.

Be safe out there on the roads traveling for the Holidays.

Andy and Nancy

Stuck on the rock

The snow has begun to fall and the roads have begun to terrorize us with the dreaded black ice. We haven't had any accumulation except for in the higher elevations which is just a few steps up the mountain trail behind our house. I have attached a picture of a HUGE(and fresh) bear track we found in the snow while 4 Wheeling yesterday. We were relieved when we saw his tracks go off into the thicket.

Congratulations go out to Andy for making it though his 6 long, grueling and stressful weeks of his Chief's Call to Indoctrination (initiation). The USCG had an awesome formal dinner ceremony Friday night to finalize and introduce all 18 of them. Wives and significant other's were also honored and were a part of their pinning ceremony.

We have quickly lived and learned that there are 2 seasons in Alaska; Winter and construction. To follow suite with this, our friendly Ferry that takes us on and off the island is being repaired until the middle of December. (It is a short 10.5 hour boat ride). So our only form of transportation now is via airplane and if the weather doesn't cooperate that day, we are all "stuck on the rock." Anyone feeling claustrophobic?

The wind is something else I feel like I should mention. Andy and I continue to hear daily seasoned veterans of Kodiak say "that wind is nothing compaired to what is to come." I think the day we hear "now THAT is wind" we will both want to dial 911 and ask for help off the groud. Andy saw a neighbor chasing a UPS box down the street today he had just received. Every Wednesday at 2pm we do have a Tsunami alarm sound and if you have never heard it, it will make your heart skip a beat.

Last week I was at the gym and out of the corner of my eye I saw a guy with an ECU shirt on! I walked up to him and told him I noticed his shirt and that was my school. He said he went to ECU too and was from Washington, NC and was a Coastie and worked on base at the Air Station. What a small world. No I did not know him, he was at most 23 or 24 years old.

I have included several pictures of the snow and then one picture of my friend Jessica that I thought was a great shot.

Andy and I hope that everyone is doing well and staying warm. We really miss our friends and family in the lower 48. Oh and I last thing, gas is now up to 3.95 a gallon!!!