Bristol Bay

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better"~ Albert Einstein

Dear Family and Friends:

I hope my Florida peeps are not drifting away and my Texas peeps I hope you are not melting!

The photo above was taken a few days ago courtesy of Meghan who took me to the beach on Bristol Bay.  We rode a 4 wheeler down to the beach being that it is about 4 miles from the village.  It is amazing to think that I can walk down to this place free of charge.  There are not enough words to describe the beauty of this area!  Yes, I am wearing a t-shirt because believe it or not it was kind of hot this entire week.  But starting today the highs will be in the 60's which is not too bad but it will be over cast too.

Here is another view of the beach on Bristol Bay.  If I were to turn right you can actually see Togiak across the way.  If I had gone to the left a little you would have seen an island where walruses reside and are protected by the government.  

Some shrimp like critters that Meghan and I found under a rock on the beach.  Every time we picked up a rock they appeared.  Still looking up to figure out what they are!

This is a cannery that still operates but does not actually do the canning but takes the salmon that is caught and special delivers it to be canned.

It was low tide when Meghan and I went to the beach and we discovered quite a few washed up jellyfish with the tentacles missing. 

This is fireweed which is not poisonous and has various uses.  You can make tea, honey, jelly, or use it medicinally.  I have tried the fireweed nectar and it is quite delicious.  

 This is typical tundra plant life.  Most of the plants are low to the ground.  This is not the best picture but there was an abundance of lichen which was surprisingly a little on the dry side.

For an afternoon snack we ate these Alaska blueberries!  They were just perfect!

I tried some of the black berries pictured here but they were a little tart.

The plant pictures above were taken on this lookout point of the beach.

Most of you know that after teaching Science a few years ago, this was quite an exciting adventure. There will definitely be more visits down to the Bristol Bay area.  It is a true treasure to have this in my own backyard.  No tall buildings or traffic.  The only sound you hear are the waves and the occasional seagulls!  I cannot wait to make fireweed tea and assortment of jellies using the tundra berries!  

Stay tuned for the next blog about the village of Twin Hills itself!

"Not all who wander are lost"

- Lil' Adventurers