A Week in the Life...Loading up on Protein!

Last Monday I took Baker Hensley, a friend of mine from work, down the last 24 miles of the Swanson River. We spent one night on the river and had fun catching these big silver salmon that were fresh from the ocean. The weather was awesome and we didn't see a single brown bear. Although we were having an awesome time, I was in a hurry to get home so I could load a four wheeler and go moose hunting!
I loaded up and drove an hour and a half to the Caribou Hills to hunt moose with my good friend Justin Adolph. He met me in the parking area and we rode three miles into the hills to his cabin. The next morning we rode across the canyon to look for a legal bull. We saw a cow and a calf but no bulls so we rode back through all the muddy swamps to the cabin for second breakfast (moose hunting is a little like working on a platform, we eat like kings!!) Through a spotting scope we found a herd pf 8 or 9 moose including one bull. They were back across the canyon and close enough to the trail to be retrieved if we did get him so we loaded up and headed out for the bull. 30 minutes later we were within stalking distance of the herd so we took off our rain gear so that we could move more quietly and began to sneak in on the feeding herd. The wind was in their favor so we crossed a steep ravine to circle up the hill and get down wind of them. After some anxious waiting and watching the bull finally appeared and we were able to verify that he was a legal bull. Suddenly all the shooting and hunting experience I have acquired over the years went out the window and I made two of the worst shots in my hunting career. Evidently being that close to a 13 hundred pound ungulate has an affect on the nervous system. Well, despite my poor accuracy I was able to dispatch the bull and I had my first moose!!

After gutting the moose, we rode back to the cabin to get Justin's Dad and his "mud buggy". This thing can go anywhere!! We were able to get the buggy to within 30 yards of the bull and carry him out in one piece. After gutting, skinning and removing feet and head, the bull weighed 650 pounds. This is usually half the live weight.

My thanks to Justin and his dad Joe for letting me hunt with them and stay in their cabin, they are truly great people!

Summer Winds Down

Hey! I haven't posted for a while because Pat has the camera! I like to post with pictures and I don't think I have many recent ones. Pat has had the camera since he took a buddy down the Swanson River to fish for Silvers, and still has it on his Caribou Hills Moose Hunt! Without spoiling it all, I'll just leave the stories until Pat gives me the pictures and he can narrate his wild times!
I'm still plugging along at the greenhouse, but will likely only work for one more week. I may drop by a time or two this fall. I have been trying to decide what to do with myself this winter, and I have a couple ideas. I may get involved with an organization called Love, I.N.C. (Love, In the Name of Christ). They work with at least 6 different denominations of churches that work to help people in need in the community in ways that vary from food and money to furniture and a ride to a job interview, just to name a few. I'm not sure what I'll be doing, but that's a possibility. I may also look into volunteering for Hospice. I tried when we moved here, but was unable due to missing a required week-long class that is only offered once a year. I'd like to start swimming (not due to any Olympic aspirations) at our local indoor pool, but exercise is something I do as rarely as possible. Finally, an option that I'm exploring is to expand my hobbies to include something as expensive as Pat's multiple hobbies: woodworking! I'd actually really like to get into it a bit. I have a billion ideas of things that I'd like to make, but discipline is not a strong point for me, so starting small and finishing a project may prove difficult. I also have a goal to find a bread recipe for Pat that actually rises and tastes good! Oh, and that doesn't require a million steps and 14 different flours.
Well, that's me in a nutshell for now. I'd show you pictures of my glorious greenhouse or fabulous flowers, but we've already discussed where the camera is located.
I hope to have more interesting and less word-y entries coming shortly!

Some "Reel" 'But Beating!

This video says it all!

Big 'Buts and Sweet Cheeks! The Perfect Day!

This weekend my friend, Ryan Klawitter, took us halibut fishing in his 20' Bayrunner. The weather was beautiful and the water was calm. He took us to a spot that was surrounded by mountains and sheltered from the breezes. Even if it's windy, it's calm back where he fishes.

Melissa caught a halibut within 5 minutes! It was a small "chicken", so we let it go, but it was a sign of what was to come. In all we caught a dozen halibut (kept our limit of 2 each), and several gray cod. Before the day was over, we both had 40 lb. halibut in the boat! Melissa hooked one fish that stripped line off the reel and escaped within 20 feet of the boat. We can only guess that he weighed between 50 and 75 lbs. We also saw sea otters, jumping salmon, and lots of jellyfish.

This was an Irish Lord that Melissa caught. It's a fish that is all head, mouth, and tail. Not a keeper!

After the fishing slowed down and we'd caught our limit, Ryan took us sightseeing. He then took us down a bay that had a gorgeous waterfall!

After the filleting was finished, we put over 60 lbs. of Halibut in the freezer. And, if you want any, you have to come up here to get it!
Thanks, Ryan!

Having a Blast!

Pat recently set up some shooting targets in the backyard. I know, only in Alaska! (yeah, maybe a few other red-neck states!) After giving the neighbors a call to let them know it's us, Pat takes his hand-cast, hand-loaded bullets out to practice his speed shooting.

Do you feel lucky? Well, do ya?

Gluten Free Blog!

Hey, just for all of you whom we may visit, I've started a blog that will have "normal" recipes that are naturally gluten-free. I'm hoping to include most of our regular meals, and then those that I experiment with. Most of these are likely to be relatively simple since I don't like to cook! I've found lots of other blogs with really fancy recipes, but I have a real lack of ingredients up here! I know that there are friends of yours out there that also struggle with Celiac or may just have a wheat allergy. Feel free to pass along the blog site. If you have recipes that you'd like me to include, I'm up for that as well. I have a link on my blog roll. Thanks!

Greenhouse Update!

Just the other day, it was the most perfect day! The sun was shining, the wind was non-existent and the temperature was warm but not hot!

Besides the multitude of flowers in bloom, my tomatoes are ripening, my squash has been yummy, and I'm anxiously awaiting the first pepper!

Last Week

Work has been getting tough. We have a rogue flamingo that seems to be out for us.
Despite the cold, cloudy, rainy weather, we do still have a few blooms!

Friday night, Pat took me out and we had dinner and played a bit of pool at our new local smoke-free, alcohol-free pool hall!

Sorry

I know I've not been diligent in posting. I've been back to work and much more interested in other family's blogs! My sister has been updating her blog to relive our time together, and my sister-in-law has been adopting a super cute little boy in China. I've been mostly watching their blogs this week! If you'd like to see more on Julie's blog, I'd highly recommend it! The link is on the right! I'll update soon~maybe!

New Nephew!

Today, or tomorrow in China, we are adding a new nephew! Pat's sister and brother-in-law are picking up their Joshua Shen as I write! He will have lots of welcoming family.

Thank You!

The last many days have been a whirlwind of kids and fun activities. I've had the amazing opportunity to watch my nieces and nephews wake up in the mornings, have breakfast with my sister, and watch the news with my brother-in-law! This morning "routine" we had was followed by all the activities that made our new memories.
I can't begin to express the gratitude I have to my brother, Chris, for bringing my sister to me! for bringing the entire family up here to visit! I know it couldn't have been easy. I also know that there is no real way to understand a sister bond, but he supports us just the same. Thanks, Chris!
I enjoyed the most wonderful time with my sister. Julie is such an incredible woman. I see her interact with her children in such a loving manner. She loves them, instructs them, disciplines them, laughs with them, and leads them. She is also a great wife. I see how she supports her husband and loves him. A model for others and her daughters. She's also an incredible sister. She loves me through all my craziness. She gives me advice and makes me think I can do things that I would never believe possible. I think she gives me too much credit! I am glad that she listens to all my blabber about my self analysis and loves me anyway!
I love you!

Raegan's Birthday

The first gift of the day was from Mommy and Daddy: dress-up clothes! Rae had her entourage dress her and prepare her for the big birthday cake event!

She, too, had her very special princess cake!

Who couldn't love Miss Pattycake & more cards!

That evening Pat took us out to prospect for gold. It was amazing that everyone found some after panning and searching very hard!

It was hard to leave our claim, but we figured we got most of what the waves washed up!

Weekend Fun!

After an unsuccessful trip to the canoe system, Pat took Chris out to Fuller Lake to try for Grayling. Unfortunately, it proved to be just the same for the fishing, but it was lovely!

Sunday we went to Russian River Falls. Pat rigged up an Alaskan Rickshaw (spelling?) for the kids to take turns riding. It was a perfect invention! We got to see a few fish work hard to jump up the falls.

We had a great hike and a fun trip!

Sydney's Alaskan Birthday!

We spent Sydney's birthday on a day trip to Seward! We stopped first at Exit Glacier where we were getting pretty moosey!

We walked up to a big glacier and felt the icy air coming off of it!

Then we were off to the Sea Life Center where we saw lots of fun animals and even got to touch some anemone's and starfish!

The Stellar Sea Lion was a BIG hit!

On the way home, we stopped to pick up a special cake made just for the occasion!

A very "cool" 8th birthday!

Crazy Busy

Before our company came, Pat and I discovered a new beach access near our house. We went out late and enjoyed the almost sunset! Pat is below "brother-in-law" welding. Two welders at one time is what that means!

I brought Julie, Chris and the kids here on Wednesday. We have had many adventures and seen many animals! The kids are watching Pat set up an obstacle course for our race!

One surprise was a tadpole that was caught when we were racing!

Then we were off to Captain Cook State Park. The beach has a ton (literally) of boulders and lots of fun rocks to throw!

We closed this evening with a baseball game where we gave high-fives to the mascot and watched the Oilers win!

Our way home was made even more special with a glimpse of a cow and calf moose grazing in a field of lupine and fireweed.