A Deeper Look

The goal of this summer was to experience Alaska as more than a tourist. Three months in and we are starting to feel a little more like locals. Both of us have started to find and develop our own interests. Jim is quickly becoming an expert on orcas and various marine life. We have been studying our tide book closely in order to find the best intertidal zone viewings. During a recent fishing trip, Jim had his first encounter with a black bear. The bear was not interested in him but Jim was understandably very shaken.


My most recent interest has been finding edible plants on hikes and on the shore line. Earlier this summer I harvested labrador tea and fiddlehead ferns and I am now pickling bull kelp. Bull kelp is a sea weed that consists of a spherical bulb attached to a long stem. The stem is held fast to rocks on the sea floor. Bull kelp is often washed ashore during storms but it is best when harvested directly from the water. We gathered two pieces during our halibut outing last weekend. Our outing consisted of 6 rockfish, 1 halibut, and too many sharks to count. The pickling process lasted 3 days and although they are very sweet the pickles have been highly praised by our local friends. My next adventure is harvesting berries and searching for beach asparagus.