Sun Screen My Ass!

September 2, 2010

I spent a lot of hours researching the technical aspects of this adventure. Out of all the personal accounts and related websites that listed necessary items to bring along I have to say they ALL included sun screen. After the last three days above 6,000 feet for the better part of 8 hours each day… I’m toast. Really I mean it toast! My forearms and legs are a nice fire burnt red, my neck and face are about the same!
Needless to say I did NOT bring any sun screen, nor did I bring a ball cap.

This burn is about the same as my last trip to Hawaii or better yet my trip to Bonaire, oh this is going to hurt!

I’m in Linthal Switzerland now and I am going to take few days to “cool off” and see about finding some lotion for sun burns and a nice cap to keep the sun off of my face!

Not the best serial killer photo I could take but after ascending and descending 12,000 feet on a cloudless hot day in the Alps, it’s the best you get for now.

D.

“Must Ride” ~ A Close One!

August 23, 2010

it’s 11:00pm, I’m just back to my hotel room after spending almost all day at the airport trying to locate my one and only bag, my expedition pack that has all my gear for the Alps trek.  I left Unalaska / Dutch Harbor on time at 8:30pm  I had a dog going to the vets, a harbor seal going to the Sealife Center and I had a backpack coming with  me to Seattle.  At check-in ‘Must Ride’ stickers were placed on my pack because my connecting flight was an international flight.

When we got to Anchorage, I noticed that Blue (the dog) was there, Antigua (the seal) was there and I figured that my pack was checked all the way through to Seattle.

Imagine my surprise, anger, shock, disbelief and pre panic feeling when at 4:40am no bags were left on the baggage carousel and I was left standing there wondering… and wondering.
I went to the baggage help and asked if they knew where it was.  They looked it up and said no, it’s not in the system yet.  I figured that our turn around in Anchorage was too quick for the bag to get on the other plane.

However not in the system started to make me worry.  I spent the morning downtown checking on a few things, hoping that in the few hours my bag would show up on a flight from Anchorage.  I went back to the airport to check.  Nothing.  I got there at 5:00 and started get upset.  Changing my flight to Geneva was too costly, buying all new gear was just as costly, and I can’t figure out what is so hard to understand about MUST RIDE.

But come to find out, the bag didn’t even leave Unalaska.  Aaaarrrrgh!  What happened to Must Ride?  the stickers didn’t say Should Ride, Can I ride, Maybe Ride, Dont Ride, they said MUST RIDE!

Well I do have my bag now, my trekking poles were taken out though.  I’ll be claiming them when I get back.  yep you guessed it too – the must ride stickers are still on the bag.

See you in September.

Bering Sea Sockeye Salmon

July 7, 2010

More images of these two fishing trips in the gallery.

If there is one thing out here that most of the locals talk about when it comes to sport and subsistence fishing, it’s the arrival of the Sockeye Salmon at McLees Lake and Reese Bay.  The past few years the fishing has been hit and miss.  Fish and Game would close the area around the rivers outlet to the bay until at least 10,000 fish passed through the fish weir to the lake, then the area from the outlet and around the bay would be open for gill netting.  In the past the immediate area would remain closed until the first or second week of July.

This year however, the escapement number was reach early and the area around the river outlet was opened to fishing.  Jennifer, Shari and I made plans to head out early on Friday to go fishing.  We took two boats and headed out about 0800.   We ended up with 32 fish in just over and hour.  It was fun fast fishing, we were certainly happy with our catch.

I had also made plans to fish with Aura the following Monday.  Earlier in the year she had ordered a net and was very anxious to get it in the water and see it fish.  Originally we were going to meet up and leave about 0530.  However I was on fire watch with the fire department and ended spending my Fourth of July night putting out unattended (abandoned) bon fires until about 0300.  So we ended up leaving about 0730 instead.

We headed around to the bay, we were the first ones there.  It took a little bit to figure out the best location to fish her net, once we got it dialed in – it fished very well, netting fish every few minutes.  After a few hours we packed up and headed back.  She was happy with her net, and the fish it caught.

Once we got back to the dock, we cleaned up the boat and I started to fillet the salmon.  I keep the roe (eggs) also, I like to cure them and use them as bait for Silver Salmon (coho) later this year.  I have a large batch of salmon that are in

a nice dry brine getting ready to head to the smoker, and the rest I vacuum sealed with a variety of seasonings and put them them in the freezer.

All in all, two good fishing trips, and a few good pictures.  I believe I ended up with 18 fish for myself.  I could use  a few more though.

More images of these two fishing trips in the gallery.

Memorial Day Weekend .b

June 6, 2010

Ok well – it’s been exactly a week and I’m just now getting around to finishing posting about Memorial Day Weekend.  You read earlier about Sunday -Monday was just as good.  The water was calm and the wind was nearly down to nothing.  I took the boat out about 0900 and spent three hours jigging for Cod and Kings, hanging out with Dakota and enjoying the solitude of the open water and a thermos of coffee with just a little half and half.

No luck on the fishing, but the time was well spent just having a good time.  About noon or so Aura sent a text saying that

if I was taking the boat out she was in.  I text her back saying bring lunch and beer and I’d be back at the harbor at 1230 to pick her up.  Perfect timing – she was there with an assortment of lunch items and snacks and some beverages.

We headed back up to Unalaska Bay and floated between Hog Island and Eider Point for a few hours.  Lunch was good, and the next three hours we fished and enjoyed a day on the water.

Just before heading in we were met by two Alaska State Troopers.  They were out on the water enforcing safe boating rules and regulations.  They noted a few items I did not have and gave me booklet that outlined what a boat of my size needed to have.  They let me go with a ‘have a nice day’ and we were off.  It was time to head back to land and call it a day.  (almost)

Glenn, one of our employees at the hotel was leaving on vacation in a few days and for the last two years has wanted to go out on the boat with me, but never really had the time.  So later in the evening we went out for one last Memorial Day cruise around the island.

We went down to the USS Northwestern at the end of Captains Bay, zipped through a few of the small islands there.  The tide was nice and high so we maneuvered around and I grabbed this shot of the ships bow which remains out of water despite the fact is was supposed to be sunk in deeper water but drifted shallow before sinking.  We then went around to Unalaska proper and took a look at the old church that almost everyone identifies with Unalaska there off of front beach.

We kept it short, it was nearly 10pm and the wind was picking up, but it was fun and he was happy to finally get on the water.   The day ended with a few beers down at

the Harbor View Inn (Unisea Inn) and then some more relaxing time at home.  Tuesday was just another work day.

Distractions

April 16, 2010

For some reason today is really difficult to get focused.  I have a lot going on right now with work and although on the edge of finishing a big part of my current project, I find my mind being pulled away from work to thoughts of fishing and boating.  Is the next fishing season really here already?  I can’t put my finger on exactly what is pulling my attention from work to play but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

I am one of the lucky ones that can fish year round where I live.  Sure it’s a little slower from November thru April, but there is still some fishing to be done and when the weather is good, I’ll take the boat out and drop a few lines.

The last of my winter boat maintenance and upgrades are nearly complete.  I added hydrofoil wings to the engine in hopes of improving it’s fuel efficiency and to keep the boat on step at slower speeds.  So far, I’ve only had it out once with the wings and I have mixed feelings about them.

I’m happy to report I finally replaced the rubber boots on the toggle switches for the electrical distribution panel.  I spent four or five months searching forums and service bulletins, calling and email marine experts trying to find the right ones. Then about two weeks ago I broke down and called the manufacturer, and as you might have expected they had them in the mail the next day.

Also added to the boats fuel system is a tank selector / fuel shut off for the two 12gal tanks I’m running.  I had originally tied the two tanks together with a brass T, however after reading several posts about connecting two tanks together it was obvious I needed to be able to isolate the tanks.  The primary reason is that if the tanks do not empty evenly and one becomes completely empty, the fuel system will pull air from the empty tank because it’s easier than pulling fuel from the other.

I have bids in on a few more small accessories on eBay.  I’m in need of a sea anchor to slow me down when fishing for halibut.  The winds can pickup up and blow you around pretty quickly here.  The other item(s) I’m hoping to get are some rod holders that mount to the rails of the boat.  So far I have the winning bid on both, but I expect that at the last minute the bidding war will begin.

…. oh jeeez, where was I?  Online inventory tracking and availability integrated with the PMS system and the global distribution system connector to travel agents?  Hard to image getting distracted with this one.

Reservations Made

April 15, 2010

For those of you still wondering if the Free

Trip contest winner was able to make it, the answer is yes.  I’m happy to announce that Diane Green will be traveling to Unalaska / Dutch Harbor this August.  Her trip brings her up here at my favorite time of the year.  The ten days she has decided to spend with us out here happens to cover the days of our Tundra Golf Classic and the Heart Of The Aleutians Festival.  Congratulations Diane.  And a big thanks to everyone who participated.  I’m already working out the details of next years contest…

Diane your in for a good time,  some things to look forward to during your visit are the Friday Deck BBQ and live local music, a little golfing, some fishing and boat tour around the islands, one of the best seafood buffets you’ll ever have, you’ll get the Sunday Brunch that Brian always posts about, a fun local festival, some great land touring, meet some fun. strange, odd and interesting people, and the list goes on and on.

Were looking forward to your visit!

Errrrrrgh!

March 30, 2010

I pride myself on always being nice and tidy.  I try to carry myself in such a way that I appear to be clean and concise.  Unless that is if I’m returning from an adventure or dealing with a bout of depression.  In this case, I’ve just returned from a week in Fairbanks and a few days in Seward.  Along with all my adventure gear and the ‘accessories’ for this summers fishing extravaganza (that means new fishing poles, reels, and lots of gadgets for the boat) I”m so wrapped up I’m now over whelmed with what to do. (which for the few of you who know me – doesn’t take a lot)

I went out for dinner and a glass (or five) of wine and this is what I returned to.

eeeergh…..  I need to get on the ball here and get my &$*# back together before I lose all control!

Ummm which has actually already happened.

I know it may not look like much to you, but this little bit of craziness drives me crazy.  I’m really more comfortable in a place that looks like a model show room, where everything is aligned perfectly, and well balanced and evenly spaced.  You know – like the show room bedroom sets at Bed Bath & Beyond and well, um… errr the welcoming ward of Bellevue Mental Health Clinic….

The Winner Is…

March 29, 2010

Ahhh it’s good to be back home.  Finally for everyone who waited so patiently.. imagine a nice drum here…..  The winner is!  Wait Hold on.  Actually it should be The Winning Card Drawn is…..   The person who sent me the card still needs to send me an email with six digit code they wrote on the back.

OK, so I went through ALL the cards sent and after removing the duplicates we mixed them up by hand, then put them in a box and tumbled them around some more.  We headed up to the front desk were we asked Hilda to reach in, mix them up some more and pull out a winner.

So.  All that is left is for Sharon to send me an email confirming the code written on the back of the card.  I’m giving her until noon on Friday, April 2, 2010 to send me a message.  If I have not received an email by then, a new card will be drawn.

Below is the back of the card sent.  Click on the image to pull up a larger version of it.

Thanks everyone!

Dan

Turning 40

February 22, 2010

It even just sounds weird to say it.  I don’t feel old – I do feel older.  To me the mid to late 30′s always seemed to be the

perfect age for the activities and adventures I like to do.  Saying that I’m 40 makes me feel like I should be slowing down, maybe trying to find easier activities.  I have slowed down the past few months, but that is because of gaining weight, not because I’m telling myself to take it easy.

So, I’ve decided to not slow down, or feel old.  I’ve decided to keep going.  I’m sure a day will come where my thoughts and actions start to slow – but that day isn’t here yet.

I turned 40 today and all I can think about is the next adventure, the next draw and spark of enthusiasm, the next logistic session, the next new crazy extreme sport that I can get in to.  Its a good feeling to think that way, and I suppose I should be thankful to be able to think that way.  Oh and I better get my drivers license renewed when the DMV resumes service again.

Free Trip Deadline!

February 17, 2010

The entry deadline  for the second annual Almost Free Trip to Unalaska & Dutch Harbor is almost here.  Were only accepting cards postmarked through March 14th 2010.

This years contest is pretty easy. Just send a postcard with your full name and a random six character alpha numeric code on it to the address below. Please only one card per person / entry.

Another Free Trip
c/o Dan Young
PO Box 921557
Dutch Harbor, Alaska 99692

I’ll take cards postmarked through March 14th 2010. The winning card will be selected  later that week at random from all the cards received and posted here on danslife.net All you have to do after that is check to see if your card is the one posted, and if it is, email me the code you wrote on it. (obviously I’m not going to show the code online )

So, just like last year the rules are simple. I’ll fly you from Seattle to Dutch Harbor (and back) on Alaska Airline miles. You send me the dates, I see if I can get a ticket and if it works out great. If not we keep trying dates until we get you out here. Last years winner ended up flying out here in August and stayed a week and a half.

Why the code? That and the postmark location is how I’m going to verify that you are the person who sent me the card. I think its safer than asking you to include email or phone information on the post card. You can include that information if you like, but I’m happy with the random code.

Thanks and have fun!

Dan

Next Page »

• Find It

  Search for:

• Recent Posts

  • Sun Screen My Ass!
  • “Must Ride” ~ A Close One!
  • Meet Antigua
  • Too Busy
  • Via Alpina.. and then some

• Bloggers

  • A Sense Of Place
  • Corey Arnold Photography
  • Element 22
  • I'm Just Walkin'
  • Jumpin' Humpy

• HIstory

  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009