Thursday, July 23, 2009

Here's a photo of Mom at the Russian River.  When
Craig was here we all took a hike up to the Falls again,
chasing those Red Salmon.

Craig took this photo for us.  Ploy almost had to be carried in
and out!!  She was the heaviest "huffer and puffer".  We all had to
laugh.  It was a real workout for those carrying fish out!

The GANG!

Check out the number of Reds waiting to climb the falls!!
You need to click on this photo to make it larger so you can
see the salmon.  There were hundreds waiting to climb.

Looks like a couple of "seasoned" fishermen here . . haha!

Here's a good looking couple!  We were on our 
way out in this photo.

Time for a rest at the midway point.  Craig and I could tell that
we both need to "workout" a bit more (huff-puff) . . guess 
we'll have to do this hike a few more times in August? haha!

Here's a "strange-looking" THAI-ALIEN we met as
we were hiking out.  This alien was wearing a very stylish
bug-repellent helmet . . . pretty cool, don't you think?  She said
it would guard her against the attack of mosquitos . . maybe
I should have some made in China? haha!

Finally!!!! The hike is over!!!!  Wake up Bryson!
Unfortunately, there was no "underwear-clad" crazy
Alaskan to do the "jig" for us.

Devyn and Celeste came to visit for almost two weeks.  They
arrived the same day Craig departed for the "oven".
It didn't take Devyn long to find the Pike lake.  Unfortunately
for these Pike Hunters, they forgot to fully charge their motor before
leaving on the "hunt".  I love Bryson's paddle, but I don't know how 
much it is helping in the push forward . . . looks like a little
water might go through that paddle!

Here's Devyns trophy pike!! ha.  We thought that the
Pike had somehow died out of the lake, because we
didn't catch any in early June.  They must
have been waiting for Devyn?????

Father's Day was great.  I got some cool stuff and lots of
goodies.  The kids "custom decorated" my gift box.  Artwork is
courtesy of all the four of the kids here (Ploy, Shelise, Bryson & Preston).

Can you tell who's who???

One night after we had dinner, Preston was walking 
from the kitchen to the living room when we heard a rahter
"audible" TOOTY escape from him . . . he turned red
and was very embarrassed.  We laughed and teased him
about eating too many beans.  One side of my gift box
was a reminder of that evening! ha.

The picture to the left is Shelise and Ploy in their sweat shop.
They put two different colors of stain on the siding, Mahogany and
Red Cedar . . . without approving the different color with the
boss.  I was very concerned about the different colors, but
as it turned out, they were fine.  On the right is Bryson and 
Preston cutting trees and raking and cleaning between cabin
number 2 & 3 (they did an awesome job!).  In red it says,
"Only 5 minute break for moose?"  I teased them
one day for taking a very long break to watch a mama moose
and her 2 babies and reminded them that they did not
get paid for watching moose, but that I would allow them
to take 5 minutes to watch and then they had to get back to work!

The first 2 times we went fishing on the Kenai for Kings, it was
early morning and my 4 passengers could not stay awake.
At one point, all 4 were asleep while the guide drove
the boat . . . some fishermen!!!!! ha.  On the left, where
the arrow is drawn, it says, "Foul Hook".  Gotta love all this
cool artwork!!

We wound up taking a couple of trips to the Russian River while
Celeste and Devyn were here.  They arrived early in the morning here.
I joined them much later in the day, about 3 pm.

Here's Preston with one of the 4 fish he caught at the Russian.
By the time I arrived at 3 pm, the fish numbers had
gone down and fishing was slow.  Preston enjoyed
himself.

Devyn with his Sockeye Salmon.  He caught this one, but
also hooked into several others that he was unable to land.

This is what happens when too much "ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT" is
applied to your Sockeye . . . the eyes pop out of the sockets . . is
that how they got their name??? haha.
Way to go Preston!!!! ha.

Shelise . . . doing her best to snag a Red.

Celeste with one of the two Reds she caught that 
day at the Russian.  She got many odd looks from people
floating by on rafts . . . guess they hadn't seen too
many pregnant women fishing before!

Had this big boy visit on the opposite side of the river
at the Russian.  He as a big Brown Bear and it was funny
to watch him "back up" the tourists.  He would
pretend to charge them for a few yards and then he would 
stop and find something else to eat alongside the river.
He had the "technique" down!!

Looks like Devyn and Preston are struggling with
the weight of those fish!

We slept in on July 4th and missed the parade, but
we did see this cool car and trailer combo making its way 
into Soldotna.

This photo was taken about 11 pm.  Fireworks are 
prohibited in Alaska, so all the kids had was a few left-over
fireworks from Zack and Tyler visiting us last year.
Mom and I watched from the porch.  The "fireworks show"
lasted a whole 3 minutes I think!

Devyn volunteered to put out this firework with his
"BUM"!!! ha.

We had to go hunting for a King while Devyn and Celeste were here,
but like so many outings, we had no luck . . . but it was
a GORGEOUS day.

Soon-To-Be parents, Celeste and Devyn.  Celeste's size
did not seem to hinder her in fishing and having fun!

Here's a happy "fisher-woman"!  Happy to have
a good drink anyway . . . .

KEEP DREAMING DEVYN!!!!!! ha.
We'll have to chase the Kings again next year . . .it was a very
poor King season this year.  Don't know what happened but it has
been very slow.

We also took a trip to Homer with Celeste and Devyn.  Everyone
went halibut fishing except for Mom, Celeste and me.  We
hung out in town and did a few fun things while we waited.

The kids went on the same boat Celeste, Devyn, Dallas and
Kimberly went on last year (The Spirit).  It was  a smooth day
at sea and everyone caught their limit of 2 each.

Here's Ploy with one of the first fish she has ever
caught in here life.  I understand that 2 men had to help her
hold her pole while Ploy reeled in the halibut with 
BOTH HANDS!!!  Thai Style Ploy???? haha . . .

Preston with his two handsome fish!
Preston had such a good time that he volunteered to 
pay for gas if we wanted to come fish again . . a true
fisherman!!  FISH ON PRESTON! ha.

All is well and the cabins are coming along.  I'll have some
inside photos of the cabins on my next blog.  Sheetrock started
today and they'll finish the rocking by Monday.  It looks and
sounds (your voice) very different inside the cabins now.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

!!!!!!!!!!!!  NEWS FLASH  !!!!!!!!!!!!!


Alaskan "Mini-Sasquatch" discovered in Alaska!!
Here's Craig posing with "Sasquatch" himself . . .
a.k.a. Billy - the Well-Driller!! ha.
Billy has to be the craziest Alaskan man that 
we have encountered thus far.  He provides us with
many memories to laugh at.  He's PSYCHO!!

Irene, Craig, "Sasquatch" & his step-son.  Billy drilled
our well on the property and now he's helping me
hook-up to the water line we put in last year.

Here's a couple of hard workers!!
Couldn't ask for a more gorgeous setting to work in!
It's a pleasure taking the short walk through
the spruce trees to work.  We have a nifty little
wildlife trail we follow to get to the cabins.
AWESOME!!

Irene, Craig, Preston & I went fishing on the Kenai
Saturday evening (6 pm to 11 pm) but we 
didn't catch anything.  Had 15 boats
around us for the entire time and did not see
a single King pulled in.  The Kings were jumping
all around us though!  We've never seen them jump
like that before.

The only thing we caught Saturday evening was this
beautiful sunset.  It was a "drop-dead" gorgeous
evening and it was very relaxing on the
river.  Lots of fun!

Went back to the Russian River last Wednesday.  It rained
on us, but that doesn't stop a "TRUE FISHERMAN", right??
Bryson helped me net 2 of the 3 I caught that evening.
Reds are running again, so we're headed to 
the Falls this Tuesday, just before Celeste & Devyn
arrive.  Don't worry Devyn . . . we're stopping for some
fishing the evening you arrive!!  YES!!!!!!! ha.

I have had 4 VERY GOOD workers this summer.  Here's
one of the "workers" protesting her punishment in
the "sweat-shop"!!!
The BOSS ignores ALL COMPLAINTS!!!

HAPPY WORKER!!!!!
Ploy and Shelise have been awesome in the 
"STAINING SWEAT SHOP".
They stained 420 twelve foot long pieces of 
siding for me (double coated!).  The colors
are perfect and the cabins are going to look super!
Good job girls!!

Shelise "showing-off" her "STAIN TALENT"!!
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!

Ploy . . . . getting so fast at staining that her hand is
just a BLUR!!!!!
"SPEED-DEMON"

Shelise & Ploy stained all the siding inside of the
large cabin designed by Devyn.  We made
them some "drying racks".  Shelise is wiping off any
potential "drips" from the bottom edge of these pieces.

Ploy hard at work!

Stain Sweat Shop owners:
Shelise and Ploy

Shelise failed to post these cool photos she took of 
flowers and plants covered in water droplets
after a recent rain shower.



I thought this bark covered limb looked like someone's hand!
GROOVY!!







Here's my favorite!!!
Doesn't this flower bud look like an insect
with water droplets for eyes and a large droplet 
for a body?
REALLY COOL!!!