Recent Articles
News on the Tustumena
received by the City of Seldovia – September 9
Dear Elected Official,
Work on the Tustumena is continuing at Seward Ship’s Drydock. Replacement of undersize plate is proceeding, along with other welding, painting, insulating, and electrical work. The planned launch date is still September 20, with sea trials and other in-water work to take place the remainder of September and the beginning of October. AMHS is currently in the process of revising online schedules to reflect the Kennicott, in place of the Tustumena, operating in Southwest Alaska from October 1-15. Travelers with existing reservations will be rebooked in the next two days, and online booking of the Kennicott will be available soon after.
Additionally, the department is soliciting proposals from professional naval architect firms for the design of the Tustumena replacement vessel. We should have the design firm beginning preliminary design work later this year and look forward to working with the communities to help us develop the features that meet their needs.
Commissioner Patrick Kemp
Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
Meet the Seldovia Author: Janice Wyland
by Shirley Hurley
11,318 Feet; a Climax in My Life
A book signing held September 7th at the Hurley residence was a great success according to Janice Wyland (or otherwise known to local friends as “Jan”). Seventeen community residents attended and everyone received a personal signed copy of Jan’s first book containing stories depicting her life as a child growing up in the remote mining town of Climax in the Colorado Rockies.
Climax was the sight of the world’s largest molybdenum mine and except for the carved hillside of the mining sight, it would appear as any other high Alpine winter resort. The name was derived because it climaxed the efforts of the Colorado and Southern Railway (now Burlington) to fling a branch line over the continental divide. It was America’s loftiest post office and Colorado’s richest mining camp, supplying three quarters of the world’s supply. During WWII, the FBI closed Climax to all but fingerprinted residents and trusted visitors. The town was also selected in 1940 as the site of the High Altitude Observatory operated jointly by Harvard University and the University of Colorado under the supervision of the Air Force and Navy.
Children born in Climax were the only members of the community who were entirely comfortable in the thick atmosphere. Even old-timers sometimes suffered from mountain sickness. In 1965 the residential houses were all transported to the town of Leadville, leaving only the mining buildings standing.
Here are a few interesting facts about living the “High Life”:
- Water boils at 190 instead of 212 degrees.
- It takes 7 minutes to boil a 3 minute egg.
- 45 minutes to boil corn on the cob
- 1 and ½ hour to boil potatoes.
- The air is so thin that cakes and hot breads rise too quickly and then collapse into inedible gluey messes unless fat, sugar and baking powder is reduced according to a mathematical formula. However, the home brewing of beer is actually aided by the altitude. Home brew at sea level takes 8 days to mature, but in Climax only 4 days. The air pressure, however, is so great it takes skill to uncap a bottle of the home-brew without half of it hitting the ceiling.
Today, Climax, atop Fremont Pass near the ski and mining villages of Copper Mountain and Leadville, Colorado, is considered a ghost town. However, on May 10, 2012 after a seventeen year closure, the Climax mine was reopened and has resumed shipment of molybdenum.
If you are in Seldovia, give Jan a call at 234-7462 to purchase an autographed copy for only $8.00!
It is also available here on Amazon!
Seldovia’s Tidepool Cafe makes Headlines in Seattle
by Jenny Chissus
Sometimes, we get a little spoiled. We take for granted many of the wonderful aspects of life in Seldovia. The little things. Tranquil walks on a beach with only a yellow lab as companion, lazy Sunday afternoons picking blueberries and salmonberries by the side of the road with your husband, witnessing the magic of chainsaw art in an up close and personal (and noisy) way – or the guaranteed wonderful flavors that we enjoy at our local eatery – the Tidepool Cafe!
It is a reminder to see a review from a visitor – and the inspiration to recreate a special meal at home – once gone from our waterfront community. The tastes, the beauty and the experience of Seldovia do stay with you when you leave our city!
We are the lucky ones – we live here! Thanks Sara for providing such a great and constant source of culinary pleasure for visitors and locals alike!
Take a minute to enjoy this article written for the Seattle Weekly! http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/948772-129/fish-sauce-halibut-cream-dish-poached
Artists Workshops at SBE this Week
by Judy Standafer
Neal Nichols Jr will be at the school presenting to the students on Monday and Tuesday and possibly Wednesday morning. He is willing to show parents and community about his art on Monday night 7:00 pm at the school. I have included two samples of his art.
His website is: http://www.geographygameshow.
The Geography Gameshow is an interactive event that centers on the rendering of maps from around the world, entirely from memory. Students participate by guessing the locations of countries, states, geographical features and regions, competing to receive prizes for correctly doing so. The educational intent of this presentation is to teach comprehension and to inspire the importance of learning.
Seldovia Time
