UNALASKA... NIKOLSKI 509 AM AKST WED JAN 28 2009 ... BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 3 AM AKST THURSDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ANCHORAGE HAS ISSUED A BLIZZARD WARNING... WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 3 AM AKST THURSDAY. THE BLIZZARD WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CURRENTLY MOVING THROUGH THE ALEUTIANS WILL BRING STRONG NORTHERLY WINDS TO DUTCH HARBOR THIS AFTERNOON. COLDER TEMPERATURES WILL CAUSE PRECIPITATION TO FALL AS SNOW. WINDS WILL BE 35 TO 45 MPH AND CAUSE BLOWING SNOW TO REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE AT TIMES.A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS... MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ALL TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.
And this is How it is looking outside right now at noon. (Same view as from Sunday if you want to compare)SOOOO are you like most people? When a storm is coming they head to the grocery store to stock up on supplies. So that then they can go home and Nest. Be it Hurricane or Blizzard the store always gets hit hard before hand. Of Course here in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska You might need a second mortgage to stock up completely..............
Produce is especially pricey, though for the most part it is of a good quality.
Meat can be a bit expensive too, though I must say I am actually getting better beef here than in Florida.
Canned Goods can Really sock it to you!!!! (Especially those $1.99 little cans)
Spices are right up there too.........
Along with cake mixes and the like.
Yes, this is the Price when they are on SALE!!
Coffee Fiends Beware!!!
And I really must say what Kids Cereals go for is a Crime!!! (I feel sorry for all the Parents)
Even My Beloved Mountain Dew is a Bit Pricy for a 12 pack!!!
And All I can say about bottled water is that I am glad our Tap water Comes out Super cold and is good tasting!!!
Paper Products can really cost you...........
..........And of course the price of Coke Stinks (Just like the product itself) LOL!
$9.00 for a frozen Pizza?
And $5.00 for a crappy tasting Healthy Choice Meal?
Yes, 6 rolls of Charmin for $13.00. (I buy Scotts)
Say CHEESE!!!!!
Medicine will set you back a Pretty Penny..........
And the price of Bread, Milk, Eggs, Butter and Cheese is really best left uncommented upon.
So Remember, The next time YOU go to the store, just be thankful it is not in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska!!!
Keep us in your warm thoughts everyone!! (Looks Like we will need it tonight)
Have a Great Day
CB
45 comments:
OMG! I will NEVER complain about food prices again!! Thanks, CB, for showing us more of your world.
Kim N
Well, I would definately have to do without paper towels, eggs and soda...thought the price of Mountain Dew compared to Coke doesn't seem to back...what an interesting peek into the grocery store up there...
Wow, I knew prices were higher there, but holy cow! 22 dollars for paper towels! The water would get me though. I do not like tap water and have to drink bottled water. People tell me I am strange and this could be true but I can tell a difference. Was that cantelope for 7 bucks? Thank you for showing us this! I am sitting here with my mouth hanging open. How much is gas there right now? Have a great night!
CB, How much is the Sunday buffet at the GA? Is it cheaper to eat out compared to buying groceries? Can we send you a care package????
Went back and looked it was potatoes for 7 dollars, still wow!
I've been amazed at how much the food prices have gone up here...but WOW, you guys really are paying a pretty penny for everything! I know it's all more expensive up there anyway, but how hard has inflation been? I think I'll dedicate the next orange I eat to all you Unalaskans!
CB is cute...he eats for free! or very cheap at Unisea... We all stock up. I have enough food in my house and 2 freezers to live for 6m if needed....I don't love to drive way over to the store (3.5 miles from my house?) when the weather is bad...it's that parking lot at Eagle mostly THAT deserves a post it's pathetic...maybe it has been on before now that I think of it.
Salaries here match the food prices, people get deals on housing oftentimes, it all works out. We get organic produce weekly and AK Ship has gorgeous produce too. I still spend over $1000 a month on food, doesn't everyone with 3 big kids?? I love to shop when I travel and usually buy totes to bring it home (we still get 3 bags when traveling in state!) --fancy chocolate chips and that sort of fun baking stuff is just too expensive here for sure!!
If you fish and hunt you rarely have to buy meat and that helps too..
The things CB posts and you guys like is sooo fun, who knew dumb'ol Eagle grocery was interesting?? (we're mad at them...they took away the sr discount for our 50+ yo friends and made it 55+ only 1 day a week)
Go to the other stores CB, they need love too --so they won't close like AC!!! :)
Cookie!!!
I got sick of eating at Unisea Galley after less than a week, and usually only eat breakfast or Brunch at the Grand. Otherwise I COOK at home!!!
And the one thing I do like about "The Store that shall not be named" is the fresh bakery, Run by the Fabulous Laura!!! (YUMM Super Crusty French Rolls)
wow prices are hectic but they get away with it because it is the "essentials" that everyone needs.
Yes, I do try to not go to that bakery, I have myself and my own party chef-in-training and Kathy's sweet mom that provide all the yumminess my chubby little body can eat. The jalapeno cheese bagels--omg DANGER!!!
And I am impressed, I admit I'd be eating some enchiladas and frozen yogurt if it was free and avail (cooking takes time!!)
CB, you should invest in a sams club or costco membership in anchorage and ship stuff out here. Also, Drugstore.com is a good site to have bookmarked.
wow....just....WOW.
and penzeys.com for spices
Always buy Ibuprofen and anything from that aisle at Costco or Sam's!!
Just ask we know how to get deals on everything! Except dairy, you have to just suck it up and spend $5 for 2 qts of organic FF milk and are thankful for the store for carrying it and $5 for a pound of butter....some people DO haul butter from Costco...seems like too much of a hassle to me...
It's getting snowier by the hour! I love it!! I have no sledding pics from this year!
scarey. i wont complain about my grocery bill.
CB, thanks for all those pics. Am I reading the price on yogurt correctly????! I love that stuff...I buy it but not at the price I'm seeing..no way in HELL! Holy crap. I love this little slice of life you've shown us. We should send you some goodies from down here. I'd love to send you some good stuff from PA. Anyhow, someone did post a pic of that parking lot - a big slushy icy pond as I recall.
I'm jealous...I want snow :(
holy cow thats expensive! ...o.o
you can still see grass, I like it to be much deeper! I can say this I have people I can make shovel (and some great bait shovels for them to use!) and someone that plows and a handy little SUV that gets around perfectly. We live in AK we need snow I say :)
Forgot to say...be sure to get some good snow pictures!! You can't go wrong with snow...it's the best!!
I'm off to bed for an early night tonight...for a change, night all and have fun in the snow and stay safe if you gotta do any travelling in it.
your lucky that the prices there are a couple dollars more cheaper then 40 miles this way!! a 12pk of Mt.Dew here is $9.00!!! I too LOVE Mt. Dew, I'm glad to know we have more in common than just living out in this part of AK!!! :D
April Dawn!!!
If you ever need anything just let me know and I will put it on the Trident Boat to Akutan!!!
Cool...someone from Akutan!
I'm gonna be drama now, I just remembered I have 2 bags of trash in my car to take to the landfill (can't call it a dump here another of our quirks!) and I have high heeled boots and a little pea coat is all brrrr that is my least favorite thing when the boat is out and I'm in charge...
CB-I inspired a posting, I am honored, thank you! Well, I live in the "salad bowl capital of the US" & I have to say I appreciate our produce prices all the more now. Eagle aka Safeway's prices are the same here on some of the stuff you posted. But, we can get 2 ctns of 18 count eggs for $6, & 2 gallons of milk for @ $5.69 I have 2 girls & spend about $500 a month, so I am thankful. It is the freight they tack on the prices that gets ya! The produce growers in my town are not making the big bucks I assure you. Be warm and be safe and prayers to all the fishermen.
Cher
Holy Moly..and I thought the Treasure coast of Florida was outrageous...Your incomes up there have to be 6 figures just to pay for groceries!! Thanks for the post..I will never complain again!
CB, You must come to Massachusetts, the Mountain Dew is usually $2.50 a 12 pack. On sale you can get a 24 pack for $5.99! Our weather isn't much better. Today we had a snow storm that turned to rain and has now turned to ice. My car was murdered by a tree in the last ice storm so my new car in in the garage!
Yikes. I have to say though, the ground beef isn't TOO bad--that's pretty close to what I pay. As for the produce, if it's that decent, I'd pay for it. I don't even bother w/most of the stuff in the grocery store--cardboard tastes better. Hope you have a nice blizzard. Stay safe and warm!
I want to cry for your grocery bills lol. Damn! We spend a lot but we have 3 kids and they eat around the clock. lol thanks for the shopping trip. I was going to ask about having stuff shipped up there...is it really cheaper or does the shipping cost just kill any savings?
CB might need a lower 48 cookie drive on your behalf.
Is it the shipping that drives up costs?
thank you I will keep that in mind in case I can think of anything ;)
I have to say I would love to be able to shop where you are. Things are higher here in Akutan with no produce. 12 pack of Dew is $9.00 here.
Sorry for the repost - just read that I echoed April's comments.
No Problem Akutanites? (Hope I am Not Offending anyone LOL)
You guys gettting hit with this storm to?
It actually has not really been as bad as everyone was saying. I am actually thinking of walking over to the Unisea Bar.
Wow those prices are unreal thanks for taking us shopping with you CB Stay warm while the weather comes through.
Can you say "major diet"? LOL! The paper towels just got me laughing and one of my co-workers came in to see what I was laughing about - I showed her the blog and we laughed together at the prices. Coffee is about $4 higher than here and the paper towels, well, about $7 higher. No really, the one that got me was the can goods for $1.99 - we get them here at 4/$2. We do need to send you a care package - LOL! Oh, and yes agree CB, the beef in FL is pathetic! I'd pay any price for good beef! Thanks for the GS tour! I totally enjoyed it this morning! Now, post more snow pics!
I'll apologize in advance for the language. Holy crap! I'm afraid to ask what gas is per gallon.
What about dog food?
I had to write since you mentioned Florida. Some items in Unalaska are slightly costlier than here in South Florida, but some are equally priced. I pay twice what I did about a year or so ago. Yes, your meat and vegetables are definitely a better quality and priced about the same as ours. At times, one not ripe and/or old tomato can cost over $3.00. We are told the crab and lobster prices will decrease due to low demand and previous extreme pricing. I would rather have them leave those prices the same (the men who fish for crab and lobster deserve a good salary for their very hard work!) and lower all of the other items in the grocery store. Quite interesting to see how the economy is played around the world. Thanks.
Cinarte, Where on the Treasure Coast? My Last posting for Hilton Was in Port Saint Lucie at the Hotel at the PGA Gold Course.
To Everyone Else. I Really Do not Need Care packages. As Cookie said we do get paid more than you folks down there, So It does average out to about the same % of your wages going to food even with the price differerces.
Thanks for all the advice Unalaska folks. As to WHY people find this fascinating it is because it is different. As a newcomer I found it shocking at first. I figured others would too so that is why I posted it. one of the main purposes of this blog is looking at Dutch Through a newcomers eyes,and sharing what I find.
Just wait till I do A comparison on the Taxi Companies!!!
If you ever find something that you really do need and cant get on the island CB or anyone else up there let us know! It is interesting to see the various differences in lifestyles.
OK I want to see the taxi post!
I've taken about 3 taxi rides in 10+ yrs... early AM New Year's and it was like $35?? I think they charged more because of the night LOL ..I didn't know there is a difference!!
Thanks for the explanation on why ppl care LOL some of us know nothing else..me, I've only lived on 3 AK Islands. You're fun and you keep on posting!
OMG - I am aghast at these prices. How on earth do you guys afford food up there????
The West Coast is nice. I presently live on the East Coast of Florida. To be precise, Hallandale Beach (about 20 minutes North of Fort Lauderdale) and work in the next town south - Aventura. They are both tourist towns. In the winter ("season") the snowbirds (people from up North) fly down. Along with the present economy, everything here is catered to the snowbirds. Very crowded and very expensive. From June thru November is Hurricane season - been there, done that and over it. Originally, I came from Long Island, New York. Looking forward, one day, to fly our of here and head back up North - either West or East coast. Florida is a nice place to visit but......
I hear you Phyllis - am from FL, west coast and in a very expensive town - Naples. Am so looking forward to the day that I can leave too and at least spend some of my time, either up north or out west. Fell in love with Seattle and then it's easy to get to AK from there. Not sure where I'll end up, but will probably spend at least that 6mos plus one day in FL. Sorry for the "sidebar" CB!
CB it's really neat to see the difference in prices of food out their compaired to food here in Canada. Seems jjjjust alittle more expensive. YIKKES!
CB thanks for the cyber tour for those of us locked into the lower 48.
Food prices are a fright! Having grown up in Wyoming - I rather buy some wine, cheese, maybe bread, talk a local hunter out of some venison and nest to the sounds of jazz.
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