We are back in Dutch Harbor for the second time. Waiting on a load of fish that got held up for weather. Had a day to visit the museum and get a feel for the town. Was going to go out to dinner, but we lost our dock space to a cargo vessel and we are now anchored out in the middle of the harbor. Oh well.
Alaska is beautiful. It can look sensuous and menacing at the same time. It goes deeper than looks, as the land and ocean provides an abundance of food, oil, timber, and just as easily deals out privation, destruction and hardship.
You may have heard of the car carrier that ran into trouble in the Gulf of Alaska. Well they got it here and are working on salvaging it. The crew was all safe, but we just heard that one of the salvage crew got killed.
Just got finished loading the barge. Two days in the rain lashing down containers full of frozen salmon. Now we are off to Dutch Harbor to drop off some containers destined for asia and pick up 50 more refridgerated containers for Seattle.
The last couple of weeks have been pretty rough. Not in an epic manner, more like a really bad paper cut. I did have a word with the mate, and I have to give him props: he listened, gave feedback and we both promised to change our approaches. Things went much much better for a week, but they seemed to have regressed again.
As predicted, we got diverted to another stop (Dillingham) and lost some more time. Looks like I may get to Seattle on the 29th or 30th. I still might make it to the desert. Have not been able to get internet or even cell phone in any of these towns, so this won’t be posted until I get home.
About cargo handling. I love it. After being cooped up in the boat for a couple of weeks, it’s great to do some straight up physical labor. In the photos here, I look pissed off, but it’s just that I am physically tired - and a bit self conscious about having my photo taken.
So no cadet ride to Hawaii. Now I am on a trip to Alaska on the Snohomish. as cook. Was supposed to be back in Seattle on the 15th, then the 25th and now it looks like September. No desert fun for me.
