...it is Spring...somewhere

Self portrait with a hiker sign. The hiker should be wearing snowshoes.

No picnics at this table for a while.

Gabby in contrast against the snow.

Gabby and I took a nice walk around the loop at Discovery Campground this afternoon. The road is plowed all the way to the gate where we parked and got out of the truck for our little jaunt. The weather was nice albeit a little windy, but that didn't matter much since we were in the trees. The snow was solid under our feet so we didn't break through with the exception of a couple places where the sun had been softening things.

So, it was all good. Still, I couldn't help thinking that in just a few weeks it will be totally different. The snow will be gone and before we know it we will be camping in these woods. But, for now we wait for melting, because the calendar says...it is Spring...somewhere.

...plenty of ice fishing

The scene at the ice fishing site on Island Lake.

Gabby, Laura, and Karen fish in the sunshine.

The auger waits for holes to drill.

The gang and gear on Island Lake.

So, we have been doing a lot of ice fishing this winter. You probably already know that if you read this blog on a regular basis. It has been great fun and a good way to get out and enjoy the fresh air. Our latest adventure was yesterday afternoon under beautiful weather conditions. We started fishing at noon and didn't quit until 6:00 PM. Our friend Karen joined us and we all had a great time basking in the sun and watching fish through the holes we drilled. We even caught several of them.

We may get out for another ice fishing trip, but the end of the ice fishing season is near. The temps will be warming and the snow will melt. Other activities such as hiking, biking, and camping will take over. The summer frenzy will commence and ice fishing will become a distant memory. That will be alright, because we have done...plenty of ice fishing.

...another ice fishing adventure

The gear sled loaded with an ice auger, the Quick Fish 3, fishing rods, a bucket, and a Duluth Pack full of necessities careens across the surface of Island Lake behind the snowmachine to the fishing grounds.

Getting ready to drill a hole through the ice.

The ice is very thick!

Mrs. Hufford reels one in through a hole we had inside the tent.

Mrs. Hufford skims ice off the the top of a freshly drilled ice fishing hole.

It was a beautiful morning, albeit it cold with a temperature of two degrees, so we decided it would be a good day to spend on the ice of Island Lake doing a little ice fishing. It didn't take long to load the gear sled and pack a lunch so we were at the fishing spot in a jiffy. It probably also helps that the fishing spot is only about 100 yards from our house.

We set things up quickly and within a minute of dropping our hooks through ice Emily caught one! We could peer down the holes and see fish swimming under us constantly. Some we would catch and others we wouldn't, and watching them was just about as fun as catching them. Mrs. Hufford caught a nice one.

We spent about four hours alternately basking in the sun and fishing in the tent. The Burnett's were out riding their snowmachines and they stopped by for a visit. Then, just before we were ready to leave a ski plane landed and out jumped an Alaska State Trooper who came over and checked our fishing licenses. He was very friendly and we talked for a while about the weather and the fishing before he got back in his plane and took off to check on some trappers who had been trapping on Daniels Lake.

Not long after that we packed up and headed for home. It was a spectacular day and we had a wonderful time on...another ice fishing adventure.

...fishing on the ice

Mrs. Hufford relaxes and fishes in her snowshoes.

Karen reclines on the ice in the warmth of the afternoon.

The ride and sled that hauls all the gear to the fishing spot.

It was beautiful today. Gabby and I left early and set up the Quickfish 3 and settled in for a morning of ice fishing in perfect February weather conditions. I caught 13 fish before anyone else joined us. Trent, Michelle, Zach, and Karen arrived later along with the Hufford girls. They all caught fish, too. Everything was going great. Then Gabby swallowed a fish hook and we made a quick run to the puppy hospital. She is fine now.

We all enjoyed the warm weather and visiting on the open air. Around 5:00 PM, we eventually packed up and headed for home after a long day of...fishing on the ice.

...volleyball in Ninilchik

Laura waits to serve the ball.
The Nikiski girls listen to the coach give instructions during a time-out.

A Nikiski server in action.

Laura gets in position for the ball to come over the net.

Laura watches as the ball goes out of bounds.

The Nikiski girls volleyball team spent yesterday in Ninilchik playing other teams from Nikolaevsk, Cook Inlet Academy, and Ninilchik. There were some great serves and spikes, and a it was fun to watch the team in action. The girls played six games and were exhausted by the end of the day. They stopped for ice cream on their way home and got back to Nikiski around 5:45 PM. Outside the weather was unseasonably warm and sunny making it a nice day for...volleyball in Ninilchik.

...Island Lake Ice Fishing Derby

The reader board at the local fire station announced the event. Dave delivered hot dogs to the ice fishers in an insulated hot dog delivery bag.

The scene at the registration/weigh-in station before the event started.

Michelle peers out of the window of her ice fishing tent during the derby.

Ice fishers, tents, augers, snowmachines, folding chairs, fishing rods, ice skimmers, buckets...it was amazing to see how much equipment there was out on the lake!

The first annual Island Lake Ice Fishing Derby was a huge success by any measure. It was foremost a fund raiser for the Nikiski High Wrestling team and since over 100 ice anglers registered they did very well. The weather was perfect, too, with clear skies and average February temperatures. But, best of all the social scene was fantastic. People I had not seen for ages were out on the ice traveling from group to group catching up on the the events of each others lives. Then, along came Dave with an insulated pouch of hot dogs for the ice fishers to eat, complete with ketchup and mustard. We gobbled them down and continued fishing and talking.

So, we would visit, fish a bit, drill some new holes, change bait, eat a hot dog, bask in the sun, and visit some more. And it is here I should probably mention that I got skunked. Didn't catch a single fish. Nada. But, I really didn't mind. I was having such a great time visiting that I really didn't seem to notice.

At the end of the day we all rode over to the weigh-in station where the fish were officially weighed and the prizes awarded. It was a jovial scene and everyone clapped and cheered as the ice fishing champions were announced. After the ceremony people stood around and visited some more. It was a great day and I can't wait for next year's...Island Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

...Gabby goes to Kindergarten

Laura gives Gabby a treat for the appropriate behavior.

The instructor used Gabby to demonstrate "leave it" for the class.

Gabby exits the tunnel.

Gabby crosses the bridge with the encouragement of Laura and the class instructor.

We enrolled Gabby in puppy Kindergarten last night and it was a hoot! She made lots of new friends including a poodle, a corgi, a German Shepard, a Golden Retriever, and a huge bull Mastiff. She learned to respond to a "clicker" and received lots of treats for performing the appropriate task. She did very well with the "leave it" command and the instructor had Gabby demonstrate it for the rest of the class. Yes--we were all so proud!

At the end of the class the puppies got to have recess. They were able to interact with each other and pass through tunnels, cross over bridges, and walk the length of a ladder placed on the floor. Humans and canines alike had fun and we can't wait for next week. Because, every Friday evening for the next eight weeks...Gabby goes to Kindergarten.