Let's Paddle!

Jay and I finally got some time to take our Maiden Voyage on the Colorado Canoe. It was rainy but at this point we are one with the rain so we just went with it. I ask "Jay so how long is this journey" and he says " I think it's about 6 miles....." 20 miles and 6 hours later we're sore as hell but feeling wicked accomplished. Wheelers, we would've made you proud! There were tons of fish swimming around out there (a couple almost jumped right in our boat!) so I did a little fishing while Jay paddled and I finally got my first big bite in Alaska! A 6-inch long trout! Wooo doggies! LOL! Our camera was dead by then but I wanted to let you all know. Lots of pics so have fun scrolling on through!

 Launching at Shrock Road, Wasilla into the Little Susitna River

 No but seriously, I make this look good. And yes, my life jacket intentionally matches my Red Sox cap ;-)

 Wild Alasksa.

 Bald Eagle waiting for us to flip over so he can eat our eyeballs out I imagine.

 We took a breather after a super technical couple maneuvers around some fallen foliage. Although there was some white water for us, the most complicated thing we tried to avoid was bottoming out on this shallow river. We did it like once every mile so Jay and I are now on diets....

 Giant salmon hanging out right near our boat.

 You might almost think the sun was coming out. It tried it really did.

 Lunch break portage at 4:00pm. Ya I forgot to mention that since we thought it was going to be a quick float we didn't start until like 2pm. We wrapped up at 8:30 pm. Gonna sleep reeeeaaaalll good.

 Damnation Bald Eagle! Leave us alone!

 We chased these ducks down the river for like 8 miles, so cute!

 Moose skull. I bet that damnned Bald Eagle is to blame. Glad it was Bullwinkle and not us though.

Feel the Freedom!

walk around our neighborhood

 Amanda and Phinn at our house which we are in the middle of painting.

 that is where we live

 I really like this pic

 everyone in our neighborhood stores trash and cars in the yard.  they all have 2-4 scary dogs that are tied up year round in the yard, and around 9pm every night they all start target practice.

 this is the other street that makes up our "block"

goats and trash!

Visiting Family in Juneau

 I spent 3 days in Ketchikan working for the Alaskan Marine Highway.  Friday I changed my flight so I could get off the plane in Juneau (since it stops there anyway) and then fly to Anchorage on Sunday.  The weather was great, and so was the fishing.  Friday night after catching some Dog Salmon next to the hatchery was the first time seeing my Chevy since selling it to Karl in December.  The black truck decided that it was mad at me and died (not sure what happened).   We called AAA, towed the truck, and rented a car for saturday.  Karl, Tory, Destiny and Ryan showed me around, we went to the beach, the river and then back to the beach.  We landed well over 30 Pink Salmon (Humpies) went swimming and I got sun burned.  sure was a blast to see these guys so happy and their sweet home.  Can't wait to go back to Juneau for Thanksgiving and show Amanda that nice little capital.

 Bear Tracks

 So, the fish were so think in the river that often we would snag them just casting into the water.  when the snag would come loose the hook would come flying back at the shore.  This one time...i fell backward into the water and hooked the back of my head.  With some steady hands Karl removed the hook.

Moose Pass, AK

 Friday night we realized there was rain in the forecast (as usual).  So, we searched for a sunny option.  We called some friends who said they were headed to the Kenai Peninsula and told them we would meet them down there.  We did see some rain on the drive down but we finally got to go camping with out rain jackets on.

So our friends gave us directions "head toward Moose Pass, turn right after red barn, go to Trail Creek Campground.  Can't miss it unless your from the East Coast"  Well, we couldn't find it.  We drove thru Moose Pass, never found a barn and made it to Trail River Campground. Above is a pic of Amanda setting them straight with the location and directions.  They were only close to being accurate,  good thing they play horse shoes.  

 Phinn loves Marshmallows

 Horseshoes

After a late night with friends we packed camp and headed to the Kenai River for some fishing.  We really had a great weekend.  the real plus was that we stayed dry.