It was like walking out of a forest.....

It was like walking out of a forest and there was a lake.



Quote: Matthew Hebert, August 2009



Now most of you wont find some deep philosophical meaning in the above quote. And thank god for that. This was just one of many hilarious things said on our 5 day backpacking trip with Sarah into the Ten Lakes Area.



We went with two purposes. The first was to check out an area that was being reviewed to be opened up for snowmobiles. The second was a chance to spend 5 days with Sar backpacking.



We, being John, myself, Sarah, Tyler (sarah's really great boyfriend), Matt my nephew, and Katie his girlfriend, heading into uncharted wilderness in the Ten Lakes Area.



The route was to be to Rainbow Lake, via trail for 2.8 miles and then ????? miles bushwacking to the Lake.



We eventually arrive at the lake 5 hours later. It was beautiful and remote. Tyler got to flyfish and caught us dinner. That alone made the trip.



The next morning we headed up to the next lake, and I do mean up. All day we bushwacked, followed the topo map and crawled over trees. We pulled ourselves up the hill uses the trees. When we were all around ready to say enough Katie clearly states "There's the fucking lake". We all laugh, partly because Katie is hilarious and also because we were all relieved to find the lake. As we are sitting around the fire later that night, Matt goes "You know what, it was like we walked out of a forest and there was a lake. Which is exactly what we did.



I have no idea why it was so funny. But you know sometimes you just have to be there to appreciate the weird humor that family events create.



We had a great time and really admire both Tyler and Katie for keeping up with us.

We hiked next to Wolverine Lake, then to Bluebird the following day. Each lake gave us an opportunity to taste the fresh fish caught by Tyler and just have a great time with each others. We laughed, heckled each other and just had a fantastic time.


We are planning on going to the China Wall next year. Anybody else want to come?

So What would you do?

Saw this van on the road in Jasper national park. Made me wonder?

What would you do for a scooby snack.

Me, I would rent this van. God I would love to drive the mystery machine. Scooby Doobie Doo.

Abundent Wildlife

Sea Otter
Orca Whales (2 pods)
Sea Lions
Puffins
Dall's Porpoise
Humpback Whale

Yes! All spotted in one day on our Seaward Wildlife Cruise. For those of you who don't know, Kami and Russ came up for (3) days and we went on a cruise out of a Seward for the day, hiked up on Byron Glacier another day and went Bear viewing/salmon fishing on the last day. Had a great time.

The cruise was great except for the weather. It was very overcast, raining hard and rough seas. That all would have been fine if I would have remembered to take my Dramamine pills. But nope I forgot, so I feed the fish once over the hand rail. We had 6-10 foot swells and after a couple hours of that I decided to give my lunch to the fish. I was then fine. Felt bad for John since he had to stand beside me while I was not feeling well, but we all got to see amazing wildlife.

We also got to see bears up close while on the fishing trip (if you have this blog then you should have already gotten the pictures) If not send me an e mail and I will forward them to you. They are really cool.

Wanted to attach a video that Russ took with his camera of the Dall Porpoise. So enjoy, we did

No need for bear spray in Alaska

So how much money do you think we have spent on purchasing bear spray? We had I don't know how many people tell us that we had to have some and that we needed to "Watch out for bears everywhere you go". Well let me tell you folks, if you don't want to run into bears just take us hiking with you. Not only will you not spot bears, but you wont spot anything else either. We are like wildlife repellent. Just rub us on your clothes and you wont have to worry about so much as a out of control squirrel. Now mind you we have seen wildlife while driving. Nature's creature seem to really enjoy just chilling by the side of the road, staring at you with the look of "Go ahead, make me run out in front of you and ruin your car look". But hiking, nope they are not out there.

I figure it has to do with our perception of their natural environment. We would like to think that they spend all of their time foraging for food in the deep, dark, depth of the forest. That they are primal and less socialized then us humans. It really couldn't be further from the truth. You see they love roadsides. Human trash and all. They love campgrounds, again human intervention. What they now don't like is to actually forage. Why should they.

If you go to the Deep Creek boat launch out of Ninilchuk, you can see man's greatest contribution to the eagle population of Alaska. Every fish that is brought in in the area; halibut or salmon are cleaned, filleted and handed off to the lucky fisherman. What do they do with the guts, well they throw them on the beach. Yep, imagine numerous fishing charters with a boat full of 4 fisherman. Each fisherman can catch (2) halibut a day. So all those guts get thrown onto the beach for the eagles. Yeah us. We are provided for our national symbol. Oh, and also the seagulls, but no need to worry about they becoming overpopulated . So what happens to the eagle natural instincts to hunt? Let me ask you this, if someone put food in front of you or you had to go find your own, which would you choose? Yep they are not dumb birds.

Okay, I know I got off the subject of the bears. Sorry. I think that the point that I was trying to get to was that the bears pretty much don't want to see us anymore then we want to see them. (Although I really do want to see them, that is why I am going Bear viewing/salmon fishing)

Now I know that in the past my daughter has not allowed me to have bear spray. Something about the fact that I might use it inappropriately on people that are pissing me off. But if I have to go to the expense of having it, shouldn't I at least get to use it. Not on the bears of course, on the people. You all need to offer me your support on this one. I spent good money on this spray. I promise not to use it on anyone that really doesn't deserve it.

Cross my heart.

Halibut/Salmon Fishing- Cook Inlet- Kenai Alaska

Halibut/Salmon Fishing Rocks!!!

So John and I are in Alaska and have done our first (and definitely not last) fishing charter. We went out on a combo Halibut/King Salmon trip. Free advertisement here for Hooky Charters! If you go to Kenai, use them, they are the best guides, best price, best fishing spots. Our boat was the only boat that day that caught kings. Okay back to my story. So we have to be at the boat at 7:00 am. Yes, I know that is theoretically the butt crack of dawn for me, but I was there anyway. Drive to deep creek, get launched by a log skidder and out out to the wild blue. We started out with a fairly typical coastal day, you know, foggy. I caught the first fish, a small halibut, maybe 15 lbs, and went on a search for the salmon. The next part I am NOT making up, I see a salmon on the surface ( a red is what they call them up here) and tell the guide, "Hey I want to go over there where I just saw that fish" so he angles the boat and less then 30 seconds later I get a strike.

Pause in action for a second- Important Notice- I am left handed, poles are made for right handed people. so I have to reel like I have a muscular disorder. Get the picture.

Back to the action- So John comes over to help, and the guide says "Hey John, you have a fish on" so I get abandoned. The guy, Ray, in front of me also gets a hit. So we have (3) fish on. I get to play around for a while before losing my fish, because I reel like a spaz. But I grab my camera to get pictures of John. Over 20 minutes later, he brings a beautiful 40 lb King Salmon into the boat. See picture

Then we go Halibut fishing. I catch a 38 lb one, and another good size one (That is my limit for the day), John brings in a another halibut before we are done for the day.

Great day and good fun.

Here is the most important thing that I need to add. And this is specifically for my daughter Sarah. We were on the boat for 11 hours. NO bathrooms. And I made it. Guess your bladder training program worked. Thanks

ps. We saw Mt Redoubt during its little eruption state:

Sasquatch or ........

Sasquatch, is an alleged ape-like creature purportedly inhabiting forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid.





This is the now infamous picture taken years ago. Many people suspected that this was simply a man dressed in an ape suit. But what if it isn't? What if there really is a Sasquatch? What then?




Well first and foremost you would have to hide all of your Kokanee Beer since we all know that there is a "secret Sasquatch" on the label. If he "Does" exist, he is definitely going to what some $$$ for marketing using his picture.


Second, what does that say for all of the "hunters" out there. In all those years no one has been able to get a shot off. Really?





But seriously. While John and I were traveling to Alaska, I believe we have the proof that is needed. Yes a "photo" of the Sasquatch.


Okay, so now you see. Sasquatch right! I took this picture myself. There can be no more possible debate that he is real.




OR......... Could it be a picture of a grizzly bear taken with a panoramic lens from a motor home window traveling at 60 mph.

I leave it up to you viewers.

Alaska Bound

Okay I know that I have not updated my blog in a long time. Sooooo apparently my lovely daughter posted a peacocks and red panda entry just to get me to type something.

We have been extremely busy the last few months which to me means that we are having so much fun I forget to tell everyone else. But now we are heading to Alaska and I have been told by everyone that it is necessary to keep this blog updated, so I will really try to do my best. Our travel plans are to drive 4-5 hours a day with fairly major towns/cities to stop in. As we have not traveled these roads before, we figured better safe then sorry. There has been numerous people who have told us that the roads up here are terrible and you do not want to break down. So tomorrow is Edmonton. We dont have any major stops planned, except for Liard Hot Springs, but are reading in depth the Milepost that tells you everything there is to do and see from Dawson Creek on.

For those who didn't know we just left Whitefish where we helped Sarah do some volunteer work at the dog park that she is a board member on. Now we are out of her hair and off on our new adventure.

Keep checking back to see if I have kept up with my attempted promise to update this blog.