In Dutch Harbor

Real quick, before I have to get back to the boat. I flew into Dutch Harbor yesterday with the understanding that we were going to leave as soon as I got here. Apparently, boats never leave on time, so we'll be headed out sometime in the next few days. The islands are green this time of year, beautiful actually. It reminds me of what I picture Ireland looking like. There are no trees but lots of bald eagles. I hiked to a stream nearby where there are a ton of salmon. It's an interesting dichotomy with the populated areas. Beautiful eagles roosting on top of rusty piles of crab pots.

We'll be out fishing for Greenland Turbot (Who knew Greenland was in the Bering sea...) and will then switch to Pacific Cod. I'll be out of touch for the most part, with a few hours on land here and there for the next few months. I'm excited, even though it mean being away from Rachel and friends and family for the immediate future. The voice in the back of my head, the voice of experience tells me that life is better when you say to yourself, "Oh shit, what have I got myself into this time?" It's rhetorical of course, but man, it's still hard to force yourself to go out and do crazy things, even with my experience.

The boat is a bigger one, over 125 feet. I have my own room, and the last observer was kind enough to leave me his copy of High Times magazine. The crew is pretty nice so far, and I should get the chance to brush up on my Spanish with all the Chileans and Mexicans aboard. If I see some whales in the Bering sea, I'll snap some pictures of some for you guys. Oh, and enjoy your summer, since I sure as shit ain't seeing one for a while.

Take care everybody.