The Dip Net Push

For a short period of time in the middle of an Alaska summer, Alaska residents, young and old, clean cut to the Harley riders, head to the the Alaska rivers. Locals know exactly whats going on as the long-pole contraptions mounted on top of the car is a dead give away. For the non-local...they can only ponder....Usually a dip net has a handle that is 10 to 15 feet long, with a gigantic net on the end - maybe 5 feet wide. I usually call it the "dip net push" as I usually stay up all night fishing and spend the next day cleaning. Takes some time, but well worth the effort to have the freezer stocked for the winter months ahead.

Classic shot of a dipnetter, followed by the cooler with Mt. Iliamna in the background.

Sue, Kyla, Jessica and me getting ready for the "push".



Sue getting it done!

Kyla, wondering what she got herself into!

The Magic of Paths Crossing

Sometimes people come into your life and you know
right away that they were meant to be there.....

I'll leave it at that for you all to ponder....

Just would like to say it is truly a beautiful thing!

A Quick Climbing Trip Down South

Alaska Range trip cancelled, rainy in AK so bolted south for a quick trip to Squamish....where we once again ran into rain and more rain.....




However I did get to "toot this guys horn" as we sat in traffic for hours....


and hours turned into hours...until we found ourselves on top of a semi- cement truck, drinking wine, BBQ'ing meat from the meat truck down the way, hitting golf balls, telling our life stories to a bunch of strangers and dancing to music....felt like a survivor show!

But eventually we made our way south to Leavenworth, WA and eventually it did clear up and we ran out to climb Outer Space. One of the coolest climbs I've done!! (4 mile hike, 6 pitches, hike off, hike back!) Good day and surprisingly no usual Tanya and Lynn junk show!

I don't usually have too many photos of me leading, so thought I would include this one.....This climb is called Scary Canary.....Wasn't too bad, but learned my lesson about long runners around corners....! (ok, i new better, but it was scary!)

The Fireweed 170!

Sometimes its not about completely finishing the 200 miles.....(Sarah, Tanya, Gina, Carrie, Libby and me in the van headed to Sheep Mountain)

But more about hulk masks and harry potter glasses...... (Libby and Me!)

more about the baccalaureate party...... (Sarah biked 50 miles then headed to Hope to tie the knot....Congratulations Sarah!)

And more about the company along the way.... (Nice to meet super cool folks!)

more about the good friends that show up to save you, more about giving the "winners" a huge hug at the end, and having dinner with an old friend. More about knowing your limits, having fun, and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day....

(The Sag Wagon and Super Stars!)

(Rick, Tanya, Libby, Carrie, Todd and me on the ferry to Whittier.)