Another weekend on the Denali Hwy

 Same story from last weekend.  Less crowds and a rifle, still no caribou.  enjoy the pics.

 Lake Louise, AK

 Lots of glassing

 Big country

 Only caribou I saw were females with calves.

 This was left from some other hunters.  I thought it was peaceful.  I hope this photo does not offend.

Then the rains came.  It poured.  hunting / "armed hiking" was hard.  managed to catch a few salmon on the ride back.  last week of work ahead.  Amanda's friend Tara will be visiting and we'll be moving. So Excited.

Denali Hwy Caribou Hunt

With the opening day of caribou season and Amanda working, I headed to the Denali Highway.  I have  a federal subsistence permit for caribou and was eager to hunt.  I have been planning this hunt for months and was going to use my bow.  It turned out to be a circus, lots of people, all with four wheelers and rifles and no caribou for me.  I am going to go back in a few weeks and spend a few more days.  It turned out to be a great weekend for camping and touring around, the total mileage driven was over 500...not all was lost

Tundra

 Sustina River

 Maclaren River and Glacier

Can you see the caribou?  Middle of the picture, toward the left side.  

 How about now?

 I was watching this caribou along with another couple.  Then this truck pulled up, 3 guys jump out and take a shot.  400yds!  and the caribou dropped in its tracks.  I say "nice shootin" and they reply "snooze you loose".  Are you kidding me.  I had no intention to take that animal.  Funny thing was the guy who shot was not holding the rifle properly and when the gun "kicked' the scope landed on his forehead and he had blood running down his face.

 Can't wait to head back when caribou out number people.

Kodiak, AK

 In the past 36 hours I have been on the clock for 27 hours, commuted 4 and slept under 3...Yikes!   I had an easy one day job in Kodiak, I even got to leave on an earlier flight.  I did have some time to kill and explore.

 Twin prop on Era Airlines for the hour flight at 5:55am.  Era has huge homemade cookies on every flight.

 New windmills going up.

 Windmill tower pulling out of the port.  Notice all the cut timber.

 Just south of town I stumble across a little clear creek.

 Can you see the salmon?

 How about now?

 This one has been picked over by eagles

 Old fishing shipwreck

 This is a fish cannery that used to be a large ship.

 I had a bite to eat and got a kick out of 4 little old ladies tearing away at pull tabs.  Look at that mess.

Kodiak Harbor

Cool display at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters  

August in Alaska

 On Friday morning I left the house before 4am to get to the airport for a day trip to Kodiak.  However, as I was driving thru Wasilla there was a car chase in front of me.  A police car was in front of me (traffic) holding us 1/2 mile back from the pursuit.  It ended 20 min later and I was witness to all of it.  The car was in flames and the driver trying to attack the police with a bat was shot and killed.  I did not make it to the airport in time but sure was a crazy morning.

Saturday Amanda had a full weekend of work, so I headed down the Hope to visit with Brendan and Jessie.  We worked on the house, celebrated Bill's birthday and took a hike.

 Our friend just sold her coffee shop.  Still the best coffee shop name of all time..."Grounds for Hope"

 Brendan putting in the chimney.  We had a close call with a nail gun and my neck (no damage).  It was also the second time in my life Brendan "blew snot" that landed on me.  Sure is lucky he is my best friend.  

 Nice hike up Bear Mountain Valley in Hope

Active gold mining 

 Brendan and Jessie's house is coming along

 Monday morning I was sick as a dog and called into work.  By the afternoon I felt well enough to venture out.  Amanda said let's go fishing.  So we headed north to Sheep Creek.  On the way...Denali came into view.

 Amanda was able to kick fish but no bites.

 We were about to leave but I got a hook up.

 And landed a big Chum (Dog) Salmon.

 We then said let drive a little further and get a beer in Talkeetna.

 Wish every Monday involved excellent beer, sunshine and my smiling fiance'

This last pic is of a bunch of little camps that natives live in.