Hunting in August

Todd my partner from work and I decided to go boating down the coast the other day. We took one of our pilots with us. We found this little secluded beach that can only be reached with a boat. I found a walrus skeleton with the head still attached.


Found some jelly fish in the water. I think these two were mating. This was a vindication for Melissa because earlier in the week she got stung by jelly fish in both legs and people were telling her there weren't any in the region. Hah!! We also traveled 60 miles south past the Arctic circle to Puffin island, It is the most northern nesting grounds for the puffin. Look at all of those birds. I have never seen anything like it.
We dropped off our friend and Todd and I decided to do a impromptu hunting trip. This was our camping spot. Can't you just smell the moose?We woke up early in the morning and cruised really slow up and down the slews. Keeping our eye out for the big one.

Yes sir. I got it!! Sixty Eight inch rack! And now we have all that meat in the freezer.

No hormones and we were able to take 700 lbs of meat with out bones. Needless to say I had a lot of happy friends. It was awesome. I was praying to find a moose to catch and 30 minutes latter there he was silhouetted against the sky with his antlers looking like two huge satellite dishes bobbing up and down.




We got home late and here was a nice picture as we pulled into the boat harbor.

Summer Time

It has been a long summer. We have had horrible weather as it has been cold and rainy for most of the time the kids have been out of school. We did manage to capture some of the good days out in the boat and down at the beach. Fourth of July was fun with our mini parade that goes through town. It starts on one street, continues for about 7 blocks, turns the corner and goes another 7 blocks, turns the corner and goes another 7 blocks and then ends at the "fair grounds" which are some fenced baseball fields. The town all line up on front street which is by the ocean. Once the parade passes everyone moves one block east, waits for the parade to pass, and then again moves one block east. It could only happen in Kotzebue. It was fun because Emma and Cora were in the parade. They were part of the National Park Service Float.


Aidan was sad because the big kids went hiking up the steep bank onto the tundra and he wanted to go. They left him behind but the picture was cute.

"The Man, The Machine"



The family with the hooptie.

Pink haired pistol packing mamma.
At the beach the kids have been having fun on the ATV. Mel has become quite good with the 22 pistol.
Gotta have more cowbell!!!!

Catching Up on the Blogging.

In May the girls and I attended my sister Alicia's wedding. The girls looked like little brides.
Cora, Emma, Alicia and her new husband Matt. It is about time we got some height into the family. Matt is 6'5"

So we were over at Vanessa's house for Mother's day and we were all sharing what we bought. Ariane said that Ryan had got her a plant for mother's day and did not look too happy about it. I stated that early in our marriage I bought Melissa a plant. I told her it symbolized our marriage, and that as we watered it, and nourished it, it would grow and flourish. That was all key for, I couldn't afford flowers so I found this cheap plant. I told him that I could totally see what he was doing and was with him all the way. That of course was until Ariane brought the plant in from the car. The only thing I could say was, man you screwed up. I showed the pictures to Mel at home and she could not stop laughing. I think she almost stopped breathing. Way to go Ryan. I am going to print these pictures off and put them on the fridge. Anytime in the future that Mel does not like a gift I gave her I will just thrust my finger toward the kitchen and in a defiant voice say. It could of been worse...Thanks Ryan.
You thought the other angle was bad!

I had the opportunity to go Musk Ox hunting. Mel thought it would be a good Idea to get a family picture. Too bad were late for Christmas cards.