Monday, July 27, 2009

Vandalism

vandalized top figure of a totem pole, Kasaan, Alaska


The ugly face of vandalism shows itself at Kasaan Totem Park, Kasaan, Alaska.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Unity Pole

the Unity Pole on a nice day, Kasaan, Alaska

Not to bore you but here's another look at the Unity Pole in Kasaan, Alaska. With the return of nice weather, you can see the change in color from when the pole got wet.

Anyway, "unity" is an underrated concept.

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Friday, July 24, 2009

Drake Jumps

a boy jumps to shore at low tide, Kasaan, Alaska


I caught a cousin, Drake (5 years old), in mid jump during the lowest low tide of the year (-4.4 feet, tied with one of the same in June). The distance from dock to beach measured a little over 3 feet at Kasaan, Alaska.

FYi: This makes 1,500 posts for New York Nitty-Gritty. Thank you for visiting!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Flyin' Outta Karta

stern of a small boat with outboard leaving Karta River, Alaska


In Southeast Alaska, we have lots of islands and no roads between them. Gee, that would involve "bridges to nowhere", right?

Here we leave the mouth of the Karta River at high speed, en route to our next destination, aboard a 22 foot Boston Whaler®. You can see the outboard motor's power with your own eyes. Trust me, it goes even faster than it looks.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Big And Little

two star fish of different sizes and species on the beach at minus tide, Kasaan, Alaska


Another unusually low tide in Kasaan, Alaska lets us see some critters we might not otherwise. Here, a tiny star fish rests on the beach near a much larger one.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Minus Tide

minus tide at Kasaan Harbor, Kasaan, Alaska


The first of several progressively bigger minus tides (especially low tide) happened this morning at 5:08 AM. You can see only a little space between the moored boats and the nearby beach at Kasaan Boat Harbor.

This morning's low tide was -0.9 feet. Thursday will have the biggest minus tide of -4.4 feet at 8:20 AM Alaska Time.

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Saturday, July 18, 2009

Rainy Unity Pole

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It rained during the night and the morning yesterday, making unpainted totems change color due to water saturation. Here we see the Unity Pole in Kasaan, Alaska, from a similar angle to a previous post but with its new look.

UPDATE: Today, the Unity Pole got even wetter (below)

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And, below, we see the Unity Pole after the rain stopped for a while, with one side dryer, due to wind direction:

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Don Shoots

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A good friend, Don Wunsch, my Sophomore roommate at Seattle University, came out to Kasaan so we could brainstorm and begin our collaboration on a possible language project. Here we see Don as he takes a photo of one of the totems in the Kasaan Totem Park.

By the way, Don stands 6 feet 5 inches tall.

Hoop Dreams

Kasaan, Alaska's Unity Pole and a basketball hoop


Celebrating two passions of Southeast Alaska--basketball and totem poles. (same pole, different day in Kasaan, Alaska)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Totems From Trail

two totems seen from the trail to Kasaan Totem Park, Alaska


This would be one of your first glimpses of the totems, as you walk the trail leading to Kasaan Totem Park (Alaska). Those of you who have visited the park before might recognize the pole on the right as containing the figure seen in yesterday's post.

You may also see how the weather has changed from blue sky to cloudy.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Watchman Peek

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A figure on a totem pole peeks through the trees at Kasaan Totem Park, Kasaan, Alaska, on Prince of Wales Island.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Dappled House Post

light from the smoke hole dapples a house post, inside Chief Son-i-Hat Whale House, Kasaan, Alaska


Morning light dapples one of the house posts inside Chief Son-i-Hat's Whale House, Kasaan, Alaska. The light came through the smoke hole in the center of the roof.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Runway, Schmunway

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We don't need no stinking runways!

[A float plane begins its takeoff, with the main building of the Ketchikan International Airport and Gravina Island in the background.]

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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Alaska's 50th

a banner celebrating Alaska's 50th Anniversary as a US state, South Franklin Street, Juneau


One of several banners around downtown Juneau celebrating Alaska's 50th Anniversary as a U.S. state, this one on South Franklin Street...

Friday, July 10, 2009

SOB Peek

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Here's a peek through some trees at part of the State Office Building in Juneau, Alaska. It's the yellowish one.

As I walked along taking photos, I had part of the Springsteen song going through my head:

Son take a good look around, this is your hometown
This is your hometown


[all apologies to Bruce Springsteen, MY HOMETOWN]

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Plane Tour

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Plane mobile in a window at Ward Air, Juneau, Alaska...

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A fellow classmate and friend from High School, Ed Kiesel, owns Ward Air and took a bunch of us on an Ice Cap Tour in a float plane. Of course, having lived here for so long, I had never done it before. It was great!

In the above photo, you see us flying over the famous Mendenhall Glacier. That's another classmate, Frank Cox, on the right.

Next time you're in Juneau, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Ward Air. Ed and the rest of his pilots will make you glad you did.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Miro Shadows

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These shadows reminded me of Joan Miro. I hope you enjoy them, all the way from our rain forest up here in Southeast Alaska.

"Freedom is a road seldom travelled by the multitude."
Happy Birthday, USA!! Please, enjoy your 4th of July, where ever you are.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Senator Mark Begich

U.S. Senator Mark Begich (D, Alaska) speaks at the ANB Hall in Juneau, Alaska


Senator Mark Begich (D, Alaska) speaks in Juneau, Alaska, at the ANB Hall during the Native Issues Forum, co-sponsored by ANB (Alaska Native Brotherhood) Camp #2 and Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska Central Council. Before he spoke, I got a chance to meet Senator Begich and talked with him for a few minutes. I hope he does well.
(and, yes, I did shake his hand a couple of times.)