Eve poses with native of Alaska

Eve, always eager to connect with the locals, found this hairy indiviual in Ketchikan who was willing to paws and stand for a photo.  At Ketchikan we visited a totem pole park, learning about the purpose of totem poles and the life style of the Natives of the area. Then we hung out downtown and did a couple of geocaches. 

Eve and friend in Ketchikan

North to Alaska!

Floatin' on a Boat

In June, Eve and I sailed for Alaska on a Norwegian Cruise ship.  We figured if you can't trust a Norwegian to sail a ship, then who?  As a former US Navy carrier sailor, I can attest the cruise ship was humungus!  We made stops at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway before disembarking at Whittier.

Alex poses in front of our fishing house with a cisco caught at the annual Lake of Woods fishing trip.

ANNUAL LAKE OF WOODS FISHING TRIP A SUCCESS!
Alex and I headed for Baudette on Sunday, March 3, 2013 leaving about 8:30 am.  We arrived at Sportsmen's Lodge about 2 pm, loaded our stuff into the snow cat and headed out 10 miles onto the big lake.  We arrived at our happy home for the next 3 days, Otter House.  Alex not only caught many nice sized walleyes, but a bourbot, 3 ciscos, and 3 keeper saugers.  Last year was a bust with 40-50 degree temps and melting snow leaving deep puddles everywhere on the lake.  This year was more seasonable and in fact, we were treated to a nice 8" snowstorm on our last day.  Driving home was a chore, with heavy snow on the highway, but thank the Lord, we made it home safely about 5:15 pm.  The trip festivities ended with a fish cleaning marathon in grandpa's basement. 

One of the several dandy walleyes caught by Al in the Otter House.  All his fish were caught on jigs tipped with minnow heads.

Alex catches some dandy walleyes

Grandpa was 2nd best fisherman

Typical catch on my side of the fish shack.

There I was, sitting just 6 feet away from Alex, staring down two black holes.  It was fun watching Al pull in the fish.  I had a lot of time to do Suduko and I did catch a few walleyes.  My biggest fish was when Al had two on at once and requested my assistance.  I got to crank in a beauty while Al was pulling in another keeper.