Memories

Nope, the turbines above are not the result of KEA working overtime. Nor has wheat been planted on Pillar Mountain. This wind farm is located near Judith Gap, MT - one of the more memorable sights on our trip north to the future. It's hard to believe that 12 months ago Meghan was in the final countdown for the Colorado Bar Exam, Rebel was nursing a nasty infection in his foot and I was desperately attempting to find employment and housing in Kodiak. It's probably a good thing that last summer seems a distant memory. Denver was in the midst of an intense drought and temperatures regularly reached the uppper 90s throughout June and July. The memories that Meghan and I have created since our endeavor north, however, are quite vivid. Meghan often says that Kodiak is the most dramatic place we will ever live. To be sure, Kodiak's people and places will be very difficult to leave in August. We hope to return often. In the meantime, with the next month off of work, I am looking forward to squeezing every drop of experience out of Kodiak in July.

Earth, Wind and Pillar

The progress of the Pillar Mountain Wind Project is unfolding before our eyes. The first of its kind in Alaska, the Project is owned by Kodiak Electric Association (KEA) and Tetratech is installing the turbines . The photos below show the process of moving the three 1.5 megawatt turbines from sea level to the top of Pillar Mountain. Construction was on hold for about five days until visibility improved this weekend. We finally saw a completed turbine yesterday during an evening paddle. Thanks to KEA for the photos.

Offload pillars, machinehead and blades from barge

Transport pieces through town on custom trailers

Haul pieces up Pillar Mountain's 13% grade


Construct turbines while the sun shines

Turbine #4, ready for it to blow (Photo by Raymond Fletcher)