My Alaskan Blog

Fishing Jobs In Alaska

2008-02-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

The fishing industry is Alaska's largest private employer and employs over 65,000 people for summer, seasonal and year-round employment. The state's fisheries average over $11.2 billion in revenue per year and account for nearly 38 percent of the dollar value of fish and seafood landed in the United States. Roughly 57% of these jobs are filled by nonresidents of the state. Many of whom are college students and young adults who spend the summer in Alaska earning great money, meeting new friends and having an experience of a life time. Alaska fishing jobs are fairly plentiful, but to land a job, it takes a lot more than just getting a list of addresses and phone numbers. It takes having in-depth industry knowledge and a proven strategy. You need to understand the complexities of the Alaska fishing industry and have the insider tips. One of the worst things a person can do is to call Alaska fishing companies and waste their time asking a bunch of basic questions. You need to respect their time. As with any job, you need to spend a little time educating yourself about the industry. This will set you apart from most of the others looking for a job in the Alaska fishing industry. Learn More at Alaskan Jobs

Christmas In Alaska

2007-12-25T12:19:00.001-08:00

DSC 0367
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Merry Christmas from Palmer Alaska. I am up visiting Kenda and Morgan. A little snow fell last night. Still hoping for more so we can go up to Hatcher Pass for some fun in the snow.

Enjoy the day and family.

Carl

Alaskan Wildlife

2007-12-25T12:12:00.003-08:00

Alaskan Wildlife
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Some bears don't like to share

Alaskan Wildlife

2007-12-25T12:12:00.001-08:00

Alaskan Wildlife
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Some bears don't like to share

Dreaming Of The Kenai

2007-11-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

I am in Phoenix. It will finally drop below 80 degrees today and all I can think of is life along the Kenai.

Driving in to work today I had a CD of Hobo Jim playing. Its almost winter in Alaska and I am ready to head back.

This will be my first Christmas and I can't wait. For now, Hobo Jim will have to do.

C

Eagle, Alaska

2007-11-06T08:03:00.001-08:00

chena-hot-springs-_MG_0093.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Eagle, Alaska - On the south bank of the Yukon river, Eagle is a true bush town, and is accessible by road during the summer months. At the end of the road and the start of the river, a jump off point for wilderness trips and ferry service to Dawson City.

ice-festival

2007-11-06T08:02:00.001-08:00

ice-festival-_MG_0142.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Fairbanks, Alaska - The largest city in the interior of Alaska, Fairbanks is both a jump off and destination travel location. The city has museums, gold mining tours, river boat cruises, and day trips around town. Many people use Fairbanks as a jump off point for their trips to the arctic and Brooks Range in Northern Alaska.

chena-hot-springs

2007-11-06T08:01:00.001-08:00

chena-hot-springs-IMG_0075.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Chitna, Alaska - At the end of the pavement and the beginning of the McCarthy Road on the Copper River. Where many travelers park their cars and either fly or take the shuttle to the McCarthy/Kennicott area.

Luck

2007-10-26T18:05:00.001-07:00

CEC_0740.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

We were sitting on the bank of the river watching eagles fight over left overs, when one flew over my head and hit the other. The impact caused this mirror effect.

Bear Hug

2007-10-26T17:59:00.001-07:00

CEC_0761.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Shot at McNeil River. Don't worry, they were just playing

Fly-by

2007-10-26T17:56:00.001-07:00

Fly-by
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

I looked over the side of the hill and this guy flew right by. I think he may have dipped a wing hello.

A View From Below

2007-10-26T17:54:00.001-07:00

DSC_4307.jpg
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Laying on the ground, I looked up and photographed with a flash.

Landing In Homer

2007-10-26T17:30:00.001-07:00

000010705
Originally uploaded by Carl Chapman

Shot in Homer AK. I really enjoy my trips to Homer.

Hope Alaska

2007-05-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hope, Alaska

The first gold rush in Alaska happened here—before the Klondike Stampede or the rush the gold beaches of Nome—the first gold rush in Alaska happened in Hope.

Location / Coordinates: Hope, Alaska is off the beaten path. Hope, Alaska is about an hour and a half drive from Anchorage. On the north-end of the Kenai Peninsula, Hope is northwest of the Sterling Highway and the Hope Highway junction about 15 miles. The town of Hope is on southern shores of Turnagain Arm.

Coordinates: Latitude 60.54 & Longitude 149.37

Population / Elevation: A small town, practically at sea level, Hope is home to anywhere from 125 to 200 people, depending on who you ask. The school district, K through 12 has only about 14 children.

Description: Hope, Alaska hasn’t changed much, if at all, since it was established in the late 1800’s. Most of the original buildings are still standing and in use. Today Hope, Alaska is a quiet, historic trip back through time. Hope, Alaska is what visitors to Alaska envision about Alaska--Wooded surroundings, log cabins, an old general store, friendly folksy people.

What to do there: Hope, Alaska is the perfect place to have a picnic and relax, take in the scenery, do a little fishing, look for Beluga whales in Turnagain Arm, and generally enjoy life. Camp on the shores of Turnagain Arm or stay at a B&B, hike the Gull Rock Trail, bicycle in and around Hope, Alaska.

History: Miners arrived in the area by boat, Many rowed themselves up Cook Inlet’s Turnagain Arm in dories. A few of these men decided to name their little town after the next person off the boat. The next person off the boat happened to be Percy Hope, a 17-year-old prospector.

How to get there: From Anchorage, take the Seward Highway about 70 miles to the Hope Road turnoff. Hope, Alaska is at the end of Hope Highway less than 20 miles from the turnoff.

Facilities: Everything the relaxed traveler needs can be found in Hop, Alaska. Bed & Breakfasts, cabins, a library, a couple of cafes, and even a jewelry shop. Hope, Alaska also has a campground.

RV info: Hope, Alaska doesn’t have any RV parks, but you can camp in town or at the state park.

Girdwood Alaska

2007-05-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Location / Coordinates: Girdwood is nestled in the Chugach Mountains with the Chugach State Park to the west, Turnagain Arm to the south and Twentymile Glacier to the east. Girdwood is located east of Anchorage about 35 miles on the Seward Highway (Alaska Highway 1) at the junction with Alyeska Highway.
Coordinates: Latitude 60.94 & Longitude 149.17.
Population / Elevation: Girdwood has an active community of about 2,000 year-‘round. Currently, Girdwood is located up the mountain, two miles inland from Turnagain Arm at an elevation of about 150 feet at the airstrip. Girdwood originally was located at sea level, next to Turnagain Arm. The earthquake of 1964 sunk most of the original Girdwood townsite into the sea.
Description: Girdwood is a beautiful resort getaway both during the summer season and the winter season. One of Alaska’s nicest ski resorts is located here, along with all of the amenities expected of a classic resort village. Surrounded by towering, snow-capped mountains to the north, and vast views of the Turnagain Arm to the south, Girdwood is a favorite destination for both Alaskans and visitors from the “outside.” In the summer season, Girdwood is carpeted with emerald green spruce trees and shrubs highlighted with white waterfalls tumbling down the mountainsides. Sapphire-blue skies are her crowning glory. During the winter season, Girdwood is blanketed with snow and often boasts clear blue skies for even its shortest days.
What to do there: Girdwood offers everything for the outdoor enthusiast: trails to the top of majestic mountains for mountain biking, skiing, and hiking with dogs. The old Iditarod Trail comes through Girdwood. In the late summer months, stop along the way to pick wild blueberries. Don’t forget your camera, the views up here are spectacular! Once on top paraglide piggyback style back down and soar through the valley. For a quick trip up the mountain, ride the tram at Alyeska Resort, have lunch on top and then come back to Girdwood and enjoy the many flowers displayed in hanging baskets around town.
For the more adventurous, take a helicopter from Girdwood up to the glacier and go dogsledding with an Iditarod veteran. Or hike the Aleyska Glacier, or jet boat up the Twenty Mile River.
Summer season in Girdwood is carefree and relaxing. The Girdwood Marketplace hosts live music and local artisans every Sunday. Mark the calendar for the annual Girdwood Forest Fair, a very popular weekend event and showcase for crafts, food, and entertainment. The second Saturday of August is the Alyeska Blueberry and Mountain Arts Festival celebrating the blueberry harvest with food, music and a Classic Alyeska Mountain Run.
Winter in Girdwood is a cozy cabin or a nicely appointed room at the Alyeska Resort, sipping hot cocoa and enjoying the view outside. Finish the hot cocoa, bundle up and head outside. The slopes are open and ready for skiing, snow boarding, and snowshoeing.
History: Like most towns in Alaska, Girdwood started out as a gold mining claim. Its namesake is Colonel James Girdwood, an early miner who set up shop here in the early 1900s.
How to get there: Drive east on the Seward Highway (Alaska 1) about 35 miles from Anchorage. Girdwood has a 2,100 foot gravel airstrip .
Facilities: There are as many places to stay in Girdwood as there are budgets, from campgrounds to Bed &Breakfasts to the resort hotel at Alyeska. The same is true for eating out in Girdwood. The Bake Shop is a favorite for breakfasts of sourdough pancakes or lunches of hearty homemade soups with a chunk of sourdough bread. For something a bit more formal, there is the Chair Five Restaurant or the Alyeska Hotel.
Need a shower? Clean clothes? A nicer smelling pet? The Girdwood Laundry, Showers & Pet Wash can handle it all. Do it yourself, or drop it off to be done for you. It even has an internet café.
RV info: Crow Creek Mine is the only RV park in Girdwood. RVs may park overnight in the Alyeska Resort Day Lodge parking area.

Chitina, Alaska

2007-05-01T07:37:00.000-07:00

Blurb: Pronounced “CHIT-na.”
Location / Coordinates: Chitina, Alaska sets on the west bank of the Copper River at its confluence with the Chitina River, at the end of the Edgerton Highway, 53 miles southeast of Copper Center and about 65 miles southeast of Glennallen, nearly 120 miles northeast of Valdez.
Coordinates: Latitude 61.52 & Longitude 44.44.
Population / Elevation: At last count, 90 to132 hardy Alaskans live in Chitina.
Description: Almost the end of the road… The pavement ends in Chitina and what used to be the bed for the Copper River & Northwestern Railway begins. Very remote, this old ghost town is the last place to buy gas and snacks.
Most residents in this village called Chitina, which is half Alaska Native, engage in subsistence activities year-round. Employment is primarily with the village council, village corporation, Prince William Sound Community College, State Fish & Game and highway maintenance offices, and the National Park Service. Many Chitina residents are self-employed or work in retail establishments. The summer season brings an influx of fishermen, tourists and campers to Chitina, Alaska, providing some cash income in fish guiding and other services.
What to do there: Backcountry hiking is very popular in the Chitina area. Maps, books and brochures on the surrounding area and the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve can be obtained at the Chitina Ranger Station during the summer season. Bear-proof food containers may also be obtained here. While you’re at the Chitina Ranger Station, take a minute to see the slide show on the McCarthy Road.
In the summer season dip-netting for salmon on the Copper River brings a large number of Alaskans to the Chitina area. Gardening, berry picking, herb gathering and other ''wildcrafting'' are popular pursuits as well. Winter season activities include trapping, and all the snow sports: snowmachining, dog mushing, skiing, and ice fishing.
History: Chitina, Alaska was established in 1908 as a railroad stop on the Copper River & Northwestern Railway, and as a supply town for the Kennicott Copper Mines at McCarthy. By 1914, a surveying engineer working for the mines, Otto Adrian Nelson, owned most of Chitina—including a general store, clothing store, meat market, stables, a tinsmith, five hotels, rooming houses, a pool hall, bars, restaurants, dance halls and a movie theater. Chitina also supplied electric power to all structures with a unique hydroelectric system.
Then, almost overnight, in November 1938 Chitina became a ghost town. The ore began to play out and the miners were getting restless at the Kennicott Mine. The company told everyone “You have two hours to pack your things and board the last train out of Kennicott.” The mine and the mill shut down. Everything was abandoned, personal belongings, mining equipment, everything. Chitina was devastated as well, as everyone left the area.
In 1963 a bush pilot named “Mudhole” Smith bought the Nelson estate and promptly sold off the townsite of Chitina and most of its buildings. The tinsmith building, one of the few original buildings remaining, is now the home of “Spirit Mountain Artworks.” It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The current owner of Spirit Mountain Artworks doubles as a tire repairman, plugging and patching tires for motorists driving the McCarthy Road to and through Chitina.
How to get there: Road or air. Chitina is located at the end of the Edgerton Highway. The pavement ends here and the McCarthy Road begins. Keep an eye on your gas tank, Chitina is the only gas for 60 miles. Air taxis fly into and out Chitina.
Facilities: Today Chitina has a grocery store, a post office and a couple of places to get a bite to eat. The Chitina Café’s biscuits and gravy is recommended before attempting the long drive to McCarthy.
Several air-taxis depart from Chitina to McCarthy and back. They also offer flight-seeing tours of the area. This is an excellent way to see the area and the glacier. The pilots are friendly and they’re good at spotting moose on the runway.
RV info: There is an RV “park” across the street from the Chitina Airport. Try to find a level spot before you pay and hook-up.

Katmai National Park and Preserve

2007-03-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

Katmai National Park and Preserve

I am getting ready for summer. Its time to return to Katmai's Brooks Camp. There is a great camp ground that is close enough to the lodge for good food and drink every night.

Here is some more stuff from the Katmai site.

The Brooks Camp Campground is the only improved camping area in Katmai National Park. It is located on the shores of Naknek Lake about a quarter mile from the Visitor Center. The campground fills up on a per person basis to a maximum of 60 campers per night sharing 18 sites. Campsites will be shared when the campground is filled to capacity or flooded. The campground tends to near capacity from late June through July each year for prime bear viewing at Brooks River, so make your reservations early at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. The cost is $8 per camper per night (from June 1 to Sept 17). Facilities in the campground include a food cache, gear cache, fuel storage locker, potable water, cooking shelters, outhouse, and the electric fence. The campground facilities are only available from June 1 to Sept 17 each year. When the campground facilities are unavailable before or after the operating season, plan on providing all of your own equipment including a bear resistant container (BRC) for food storage, water filter, and electric fence (recommended).

Via the web: recreation.gov

Katmai National Monument was created in 1918 to preserve the famed Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, a spectacular forty square mile, 100 to 700 foot deep ash flow deposited by Novarupta Volcano. A National Park & Preserve since 1980, today Katmai is still famous for volcanoes, but also for brown bears, pristine waterways with abundant fish, remote wilderness, and a rugged coastline.

Boundary, Alaska

2007-03-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Blurb: Welcome to Alaska!

Location / Coordinates: Boundary, Alaska is the first civilized spot you come to after crossing the border with Canada. Situated just east of Jack Wade Junction on the Alaskan side of the border with Canada on the Alaska Highway coming from Dawson City, Yukon or Chicken, Alaska.

Coordinates: Latitude: 64.08 & Longitude 141.01.

Population / Elevation: Sparce. Elevation, 2,940 feet above sea level.

Description: Boundary, Alaska has just a few rustic buildings, one of them being the Boundary Lodge, one of the first roadhouses in Alaska. Not far from the Top of the World Highway, Boundary is situated on an unpaved portion of the Alaska Highway. It’s a scenic area of Alaska, rolling hills, grasses and shrubs as far as the eye can see.

What to do there: Get gas here, and keep an eye on your tank--the next available gas on the way to Tetlin Junction on the Alaska Highway is in Chicken, Alaska. If you’re headed to Eagle, Alaska, there is gas in Eagle.

History:

How to get there: The road to Boundary, Alaska is only open during the summer season. North of Tok on the Taylor Highway (Alaska 5), and west of Dawson City, Yukon on the top of the World Highway. Driving is how most people arrive in Boundary, and there is a 2,100 foot earth and gravel airstrip for those who wish to fly their private airplanes.

Facilities: Gas, an emergency telephone, food, lodging, and some mechanical help is available in Boundary.

RV info: There are no facilities for RVs in Boundary, Alaska.

My Alaskan Blog

2007-03-23T13:23:00.002-07:00

Jim convinced me to visit Alaska for the first time in the fall of 05. I really never thought of visiting the place. The stories of bugs and ice had kept me away. But I wanted to see Jim and it was winter, so the bugs would be of little issue.

Its now a year and a half later and I have made 6 trips north for a total of about 5 months of days. Last summer I even brought a SUV up so I would have a car available. My plan was to move up within the next couple of years. It is still the plan, so I guess I am starting off where Jim was in May of 05 when he said goodbye to all of his friends and loaded up the U-Haul for a little trip.

Now it is my turn. I will be sharing the process of making the change. The move that is more about changing how you think about the work, than about your address. It is about reclaiming self.

I hope you enjoy the adventure. To learn more about Alaska you can visit our site, http://www.myalaksan.com

Obituary

2007-03-23T13:23:00.001-07:00

Obituary

James Allen Chapman age 45, died at his home in Palmer, Alaska on October 23, 2006 of a sudden heart attack. Jim leaves behind his wife, Kenda Chapman, and their son, Morgan Chapman, age 8, as well as his grandmother, Pearl Chapman; father, Philip Chapman; brother and sister-in-law, Carl (Ed) and Amy Chapman; sister and brother-in-law, Kerri and Jim Anderson; and nephews, Eric, Russell, and Bryan Anderson.

Jim began his journey in Fresno, California on May 22, 1961. In the early years of his life, he lived in Yosemite where he enjoyed his “one-room school house;” being a “mountain kid” who got out of school each Wednesday to ski; and being fished out of the river by Ed when he fell in crossing the rapids on the way to school.

At age 12, Jim moved to Parker, Arizona, a move which he initially protested (for about a year) with the passive-aggressive behavior of wearing his “Think Snow” pin. After it became quite evident, that he wasn’t going to return to the snow nor was the snow going to cooperate in Parker, he began to enjoy his new found home and friends. Jim attended Parker High School and enjoyed many activities including Varsity Football; his coveted job at the Tellis Sheds; being one of Mr. Curnutt’s pets; and his best friend, Leroy Eswonia.

After high school, Jim followed his brother to Northern Arizona University where he ultimately obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology. (He took a few years off in between to serve Uncle Sam in the United States Army). After college Jim worked as a geologist for several American and International Exploration and Mineral Companies including Newmont; Phelps Dodge; and Placer Dome in the United States, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. After returning from South America in 1998 with his wife and infant son in tow, Jim set up states in Tucson, Arizona where he worked as the District Global Information System Administrator (and basketball player) for Southwest Gas Company. Jim ultimately retired from desk duty and began his Internet Entrepreneurial Ventures which ultimately led him to move to Alaska where he coupled his love for Alaska and knowledge of the Internet to create his websites http://www.myalaskan.com and http://www.myalaskanblog.com .

Throughout the years, Jim remained very close to his family. He was not only a son and grandson, but also a friend to his father and grandmother; he remained Ed’s very best friend and playmate; he regularly fulfilled his big brother role to Kerri; he was the big brother Amy never had; he was Uncle Adventure to his nephews; and most of all he cherished the love of his life, Kenda, each and every day and ensured that the sun rose and set with his little boy, Morgan.

While Jim will be missed more than words can say, one thing remains certain - he rode the ride of life to the fullest extent and fulfilled his dreams in their entirety.

Jim's Photo Gallery

Brown Bears

Bears

Saying goodbye to Jim

2007-03-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

Died 10/23/2006 in Palmer Alaska

Jim died the morning of October 23 while having morning coffee with his wife Kenda. He was healthy, worked out 5 days a week and did most of the things that lead to a very long life. Maybe God needed an Internet expert.

Over the past years, Jim and I had grown even closer. Talking three times or more each day. Attending Internet conferences and drinking a beer or two. We were scheduled to spend next week in Vegas at the Pubcon, Webmaster Conference. I was really looking forward to the week with Jim.

Last March Jim decided we needed to through caution to the wind and do every adventure in Alaska. We won permits to camp in a grizzly preserve. Each year only 200 in 50,000 entries ever get picked. Jim got us in on the first try. The sky was blue all but one day of our adventure. Not an Alaskan norm.

That was only the start of a summer that I will never forget and will think of daily. We spent time camping with the bears, flying into very remote spots via float plane and taking thousands of pictures.

Jim was able to take his wife and 8 year old son to remote lodge to fly fish for several days. I have put pictures of the event and others of Jim on a website I built for him. It is http://www.wawona.us . Wawona is where Jim and I lived before Parker. It is a small village in Yosemite.

Jim was a member of the local search and rescue group. They helped us arrange a memorial and get together. Even though he had only lived in Alaska a year and a half, over 100 people showed up at this house. He had found his home.

The memorial was simple. Held at Hatcher Pass, Jim's favorite park to snow shoe, ski and walk this dogs. It was only 10 miles from his home and offered views of all of the valley below.

With Glaciers and mountains of the Alaskan Range as the foreground, I took Jim's ashes out into the rocks and spread them into the wind using his gold pan. In the background kids were snow boarding and sledding the hills. A juvenile Bald Eagle few down the canyon over us, off into the Alaska Jim loved.

I will miss him always.

carl@chapman.tv

Jim's Alaskan Blog

2007-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

It has been 6 months today sense Jim's death. My phone rang at 9 am while I was having coffee with my father. It was Jim's phone number, one I was use to seeing 3 or 4 times a day. This time it was Kenda, Jim's wife.

Through the crying I knew it was bad. I kept hearing her say it did not make it. I kept wanting to say, let him have a chance. But it was over. Nothing to change. At 6:30 he was having coffee, his computer set to some SEO stuff. Then he was dead. Just that quick.

His Alaskan dream fulfilled. He had been in Alaska for a little over a year. When he headed north he told me it would be where he would live for the rest of his life and he was right.