Alaska on my mind…

We camped on the beach last weekend, just to get a little glimpse of our normal family working vacation. Instead of a busy, fishing oriented beach, it was oddly vacant and very quiet. An enjoyable but different camping experience for sure.

Mo and her younger kiddos set up camp and we joined them late Friday. I missed our full Fish Camp Family: Niki & boys, Ms Jane & Mr Marion, Mr “Swiss Army Knife” Jimmy, and Mr Chris. They were all in my thoughts, holding places of gratitude for their contributions to our efforts over the past nine years, the friendships developed and wishing we were all together again. Hoping that we get the chance to fish together at least once more.

Our annual Fish Camp time is about far more than just fishing. It’s Alaska Culture at its best: harvesting from the land & sea, working together, learning from others, sharing our collective knowledge and years of wisdom, and going home with pantries full of fish and hearts full of gratitude.

Even without the regular trappings of fish camp , the kids enjoyed an unhurried pace and no chores! (Other than setting up camp and tearing down.) Playing games, eating good food and just relaxing. I enjoyed all of that and the company of my good friend.

This was Ishka’s first outing to the beach and he did very well. No running off. No tearing things up. He did chase after a couple seagulls but we put a stop to that. He was tuckered out every night and slept very well. This dog has a tremendous amount of energy and he used it up every day!

Alaska Boy and I tried our hand at a little halibut surf fishing. We didn’t catch anything but we learned a thing or two. And we’ll give it another try some other time.