Kodiak Island is located off the south central coast of Alaska.
The island is about the size of the state of New Jersey.
Unlike New Jersey, Kodiak had only five miles of paved roads.
The town is noted for it's harbor and fish canneries. College students
would migrate there during summer break for the opportunity to
experience the beauty of this wilderness. At the same time,
they could make some much needed cash during the salmon runs.

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In June of1980, Tim and Laura journeyed cross country by 
Greyhound bus. Three days and three nights, from 
New Jersey to Seattle, Washington. This should be avoided 
when possible. A short plane ride and they reached, what 
seemed like,  the end of the world. It wasn't quite the end of the 
world but you could see it from there. They were surprised to 
meet up with a group of twelve friends from their home state. 
Mismatched as they were, they banded together and set up 
camp.This would be their new home for the next three months.

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The tents were set up in and around an old W.W.II Army Quonset 
Hut. The island was fortified during the 1940's against a Japanese 
attack. The huts were now little more than large, open air, tin roofs. 
Still great protection against the elements. With a seemingly, 
never ending rainfall, this was well appreciated.

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Do to a strike between the fisherman and the canneries, the 
group found themselves with a great deal of free time. Fishing,
hiking, and just plain hangin' out were the order of the day. The 
group was adopted by a stray cat. She controlled the rodent
population in exchange for some hand-outs and a dry spot to sleep.

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During some of the more boring periods, games were invented. 
Some were well thought out, others were not. One of which 
is depicted below. A large branch was used as a pole vault. 
The participants would run to the edge of a steep grassy 
slope and plant the pole. Their bodies would become airborne 
until the laws of gravity were enacted. This event was discontinued
after all its participants were injured or smartened up.

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The strike ended and the long hours of work began. Twelve to 
sixteen hour shifts, seven days a week. The work was tough,
but in a strange way, fun. A steady diet of coffee and sugar cookies
during the day kept everyone going. Fresh salmon and shrimp 
were brought back to camp in the evening for dinner's cookout.
 The season ended with the group a bit richer, both from hours 
spent in the canneries and from their experiences .

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Tim and Laura visited the town hall before leaving Kodiak Island.
After meeting with the Justice Of The Peace, 
they left as Mr. & Mrs. Jacobus.
The smell of fish has disappeared. 
Their marriage has not.