It was a busy week - it began last Sunday, June 8, with the Eagle River Triathlon. 500 yd pool swim, 20K hilly bike ride and a 5K run. Although the bike was more hills than I ever want to see again...it was a good event. I completed the entire course in 2 hr 10 min. Good time given that it was my first Tri since leaving San Diego two years ago.
The middle of the week found me snag fishing in Seward - after 3 frustrating trips to the fishing stream...I was rewarding on my 4th trip by limiting (6) sockeye salmon on Thursday in less than 2 hours. I got some pretty good size fish - I was very excited to limit but than had to fillet and vacuum seal those puppies on my own - it was a long night.
Friday night found Mary and I again trying out luck in the Slam'n Salmon Derby - no luck with the King Salmon. However we did learn how to safely get out of the "quick sand mud" on the banks. This is important as this is the same mud found in the Turnagain Arm that people get stuck in when the tide goes out...and there are those who have lost their lives by being unable to get out of the mud as the tide rapidly rushes into the inlet.
Saturday - Mary had been doing volunteer time for the Run for Women (Breast Cancer Run). So Saturday found Mary with her company at Mile 3 (of 5) staffing a water station and I run/walking the route - happy to report 15 min miles...finishing in 1 hr 15 min.
Finally - we got in 3 baseball games this week in the Alaska Baseball League. YEA! (Peninsula Oilers, Anchorage Bucs and Glacier Pilots (my new favorite team).
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer
Every day someone we know is affected by breast cancer. For me personally - far more people than I care the count. Thank you to those who have already made a donation. If you have not yet given, please consider supporting my twin sister (Connie), with a small donation as she takes on the challenge of walking 60 miles in three days to raise money and awareness about this disease. (Click link in left column for more information or to make a donation)
Slam'n Salmon Derby
In other fishing news, Mary and I entered the Anchorage King Salmon Derby (as amateurs - ha, ha) running from June 6-15. The proceeds benefit The Downtown Soup Kitchen. After two day of fishing...
Combat fishing at its finest (picture for 2007 derby)
King Salmon = 0
Combat fishing at its finest (picture for 2007 derby)Picutre from last year's derby titled: Huge fish - no derby ticket (so sad)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Snagging...
Two afternoons of snagging for Sockeye...
SOCKEYE COUNT = 0
(daily limit 6)
On a happy note - I did snag multiple (thinking 30+) Hooligan! (click the link) So sad - these are also called Candle fish (click the link) because they are so oily that Alaska Natives use them for candles. I hear they are good eating - I gave them back to the sea. :-)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Salmon season on the way...
As reported in my last entry, the salmon are slow to come in this season - but it appears that there is evidence of Kings in Anchorage. Ships Creek which is located in the heart of downtown Anchorage is the location of next weekend's "Slammin Salmon Derby." Mary and I have derby tickets - hoping to bring in the biggest King Salmon or a taged King Salmon (means money). We went to Ships Creek today to check it out - a mild combat fishing was on tap for today. The derby begins on June 6 (it lasts about a week). As I have a triathlon next Sunday I will only be able to catch the "winning" king on Saturday - HA! Mary has all weekend and evenings during the week - we are approaching 19 hours of daylight. Hoping the Sockeye will be in Seward next week so I can get some snagging in.
We saw "Sex in the City" today - good movie! When I wasn't laughing, I was crying. (so sad to admit). S. Gonda tells me she checks the blog to see pictures of the dogs - so here you go Sue :-) Pictures of the boys after our walk today (we went 2 miles).
We saw "Sex in the City" today - good movie! When I wasn't laughing, I was crying. (so sad to admit). S. Gonda tells me she checks the blog to see pictures of the dogs - so here you go Sue :-) Pictures of the boys after our walk today (we went 2 miles).
Nikan understands the purpose of "the walk."
He also learned the fine art of "napping" from Mko
Bruno - often not phased by "the walk." Today was no expection. :-)
However, I think it may be catching up with him as he is out cold right now (8:30pm).
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tunsina Trail
The Memorial holiday weekend brought with it great weather. Sunny (windy at the beginning of the week), we have actually seen 60 degree temps this week. I wore shorts for most of it. As we move into the end of May we are expecting rain this weekended...but that's ok because I am sure the sun will return and the rain helps make things grow.
On Sunday and Monday I hiked the Tunsina Trail which is out on Lowell Point (Mary hiked on Sunday, she walked the dogs for us on Monday :-)). It is a very popular trail with the town folk as it is easy to access and relatively easy to hike. With the good weather it was a busy trail on Sunday. In the two years we have been here we had never hiked this trail - it was beautiful and will be a regular spot this summer. On Monday I took my camera - enjoy the pictures. (click the link). At low tide I hear the fishing is good - I did see a couple on Monday hiking out with fishing rods.
With such a late winter the salmon run has not yet hit Seward and is very slow in other areas. There is talk to postponing the start of the fishing season in some areas until salmon numbers increase. Alaska is very conscious of the revenue that is generated from the fishing industry and works hard to ensure its longevity over time. Currently the salmon count in the Cooper River (where salmon first appear) is in the rough 23,000 per day rather than the expected 53,000 per day. So we wait...but I did have some fresh Copper River Red Salmon this week (thanks Mr. Hemstock) that was so good (could have been my cooking) that I am still thinking about it.
On Sunday and Monday I hiked the Tunsina Trail which is out on Lowell Point (Mary hiked on Sunday, she walked the dogs for us on Monday :-)). It is a very popular trail with the town folk as it is easy to access and relatively easy to hike. With the good weather it was a busy trail on Sunday. In the two years we have been here we had never hiked this trail - it was beautiful and will be a regular spot this summer. On Monday I took my camera - enjoy the pictures. (click the link). At low tide I hear the fishing is good - I did see a couple on Monday hiking out with fishing rods.
With such a late winter the salmon run has not yet hit Seward and is very slow in other areas. There is talk to postponing the start of the fishing season in some areas until salmon numbers increase. Alaska is very conscious of the revenue that is generated from the fishing industry and works hard to ensure its longevity over time. Currently the salmon count in the Cooper River (where salmon first appear) is in the rough 23,000 per day rather than the expected 53,000 per day. So we wait...but I did have some fresh Copper River Red Salmon this week (thanks Mr. Hemstock) that was so good (could have been my cooking) that I am still thinking about it.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Flyfishing and longer days
The days are getting longer and we are currently experiencing nice weather - sunny, low 50's (and a little windy). Daylight today is: 18 hours, 22 minutes and 12 seconds. Mary was heard to say today at 5am - there is so much light in the room already. I have made a couple of my ritual afternoon trips to the small boat harbor to check out the fishing haul. The halibit are still small and the boats are coming in later than usual but it is a nice way to pass some time. I am waiting patiently for the Sockeyes to come in - should be any day!
Mary and I took a flyfishing class last weekend. We spent the weekend at a lodge in Sterling (just outside of Soldotna) where the class was held. We learned all the basics of flyfishing - rod, reels, fishing line (hollow), fishing leaders (tappered), the basics of casting, and types of flies. My brain was full by Sunday afternoon.
Mary is demonstrating the classic flyfishing cast
The river is currently closed so that fish can spawn. So we practiced casting in a park next to the river. I can hardly wait until June 11 when the river opens again.
This the view from the lodge - it is on Longmere Lake
Mary and I took a flyfishing class last weekend. We spent the weekend at a lodge in Sterling (just outside of Soldotna) where the class was held. We learned all the basics of flyfishing - rod, reels, fishing line (hollow), fishing leaders (tappered), the basics of casting, and types of flies. My brain was full by Sunday afternoon.
Mary is demonstrating the classic flyfishing cast
The river is currently closed so that fish can spawn. So we practiced casting in a park next to the river. I can hardly wait until June 11 when the river opens again.
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