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.

Love for the Animals!!!

I love P-cocks and Red Pandas!!!!!  On our way to Alaska, where there are no P-Cocks or Red Pandas, but there are Polar Bears....and Salmon

Arizona Brush Guard

Yes, for only $199.99 you can be the proud owner of the new, the amazing, the irreplaceable ARIZONA BRUSH GUARD. Do not accept substitutes. This is the REAL DEAL. You will not find this anywhere else.

What can it do you for you ask? Well let me just start by saying that this is the most amazing piece of automotive ingenuity. Why this one picture above actually mounted itself.

YES, that right! Mounted itself. No special tools needed and no assembly.

Now when you are driving down the roads in Arizona you can have the confidence to exceed the speed limit like everyone else knowing that you are protected by the ARIZONA BRUSH GUARD.

It will capture lallygagging roadrunners, it will put an end to those slippery sidewinders. Any and all annoying future roadkill meals will be easily caught in your new ARIZONA BRUSH GUARD.

Hurry now and we will throw in for absolutely nothing the AMAZING ARIZONA WALKING WATER STICK. These sticks are currently being carried by obnoxious tourist as they merrily hike the trails. What can these sticks do for you. WELL, I'LL TELL YOU.

They can tell you if there is water nearby. Simply throw the stick in a nearby creek or wash bottom. If it floats away then there is water. If it stays where you threw it, pick it up and try again. Hours of entertainment. Also, it can tell you if you are going uphill or down.

How you ask? Well if the stick is taller then you, you are going uphill and if it is shorter, then you are going down.

I KNOW, TRULY AMAZING.

REMEMBER all this can be yours for only $199.99. But act quick, time is running out!

GET OFF MY LEG...and other useful sayings?

Ever meet a person for the first time and they just blurt out some unique phrase or saying that you know is now going to be stuck in your memory banks like Walt Disney Worlds, "It's a small World." Well if you are humming the lovely ditty right now, then yes you understand.

You first need to understand that John and I are not overly social people, we DO NOT go out of our way to introduce ourselves to strangers. So it came as a complete shock to us when a very nice couple from California pulled into the site next to us and invited us over to their very nice motorhome for a cocktail. Since we are socially retarded, we had no idea how to politely say no, so we went. Now comes the fun part.

NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE UN-INNOCENT. (But god only knows who actually reads this, so better safe then sorry).

Okay, so here was our night. Butch and Doris, a nice couple from california invited us over for cocktails. They have (3) bloodhounds in their over $300,000.00 motorhome and we instantly gravitate towards the dogs. They don't require clever conversation, just a scratch on their bellies, leaving me to not have to come up with conversation topics. We let our new friends tell us about themselves. Got the impression that they made their money in maybe not the most reputable ways, and are now traveling for a short period of time. Butch, a self proclaimed REDNECK, proceeds to consume over (5) whiskey and cokes and tell us things that really we didnt want to know. His very lovely wife, numerous times, reminded Butch to watch his language, not be so rude, etc.

Now out of the blue, Butch looks at Doris and says "GET OFF MY LEG". There was really no need at this point to ask, Why Butch what do you possibly mean by that statement. All I could hope for was that John would not blow wine out of his nose due to excessive laughter. Needless to say, that phrase was used numerous times through out our evening. Finally Butch passed out on the floow of their motorhome and we escaped.

The next day, both John and I thought of numerous times in the past where we would have loved to have used the phrase. But the one that immediately came to both of our minds was dealing with a motorhome salesman. Now if you have ever bought a car you know actually what we mean when you get to the point with a salesperson that you would love to say. "Get off my leg".

So from us and Butch, please feel free to use the above saying when the appropriate moment arises.

PS> Butch's other unique phrase of the evening: Fight, Fuck or play marbles. Have no idea what that means.