Solstice

June 20th was the longest day of the year (a day early since 2012 is a leap year).  So we got a call that we needed to get out of work on Thursday and head out to our friends lodge on Wednesday night.  We certainly did not need any convincing.  The weather was gorgeous, there were fish in the river and we knew a good time was to be had despite the army of mosquitos.  

Sleeping Lady 

 Amanda

 We have to take a boat ride out to the lodge since it is off the road system

Mike and Mert's lodge is on the edge of the frontier.  Sure is wild country.  

 Trophy Moose

 Trophy King Salmon

Trophies - Family photos

The view from the lodge full of clouds

Love

At midnight the clouds cleared and a setting sun on the longest day of the year was in view...along with Denali.  

 At 6am the fishing opens for the day.  We set our alarms and had high hopes since we saw and heard fish rolling all night and no one else was on the river.  Well at 5:45am there were quite a few folks ready to fish.

 Lodge - from up river

 Eagle

 Brendan and Jay - we fished for 4 hours.  Had one hook up but did not land the fish.  Brit had all the luck and did land her first salmon ever, she did not have "enough luck for all of us"

So Wild Bill had a hat on all the time.  Then his sister says Bill show Jay your new haircut.  Super mullet!  I said "this pose will be on U.S. Currency some day"  

 Amanda, Brendan, Bec - Heading out

 John and Brit - John just bought this boat and we all were a little jealous of the "lil Red Raft".  Brit is glowing from catching her first salmon (also something we all were a little jealous of)

 Jessie and Brendan

Lakota and Bill

Mert - Showing everyone where the mountains are

Red Raft showing the Big Susitna who's boss