Life in the den

soooo many dogs

2008-10-08T10:31:00.002-08:00

Hole in the Wall '08 The Dogs---soooomany dogs, what fun, I'd trade diapers for dogs anyday!
Now its time for snow and ice, great big piles, that'd be nice! One day soon, they call it spring, the whole in the wall bell will ring...... on the day that the bear catches a King!

Two Tries of Tysabri

2008-10-03T08:15:00.003-08:00

So I've tried this M.S. drug Tysabri twice now. It is given through an IV in Las Anchorage once a month. It sure beats the shots I've been doing everyday for the past few years. Although the drug is aimed at prevention instead of recovery, I have heard of several cases of patients actually getting better after six months or more of this drug. I also hear rumors of a new oral medication for MS! Take a pill, MS goes away. NICE (pipe dream)

Snow be flying soon, can't wait to ride!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2008-07-19T08:07:00.002-08:00

Roses are Red,

Violets are Blue,

Happy B-Day little sister,

thinking of you.

Don't know how old you are,

can't add that high,

but I'm feeling kind of smart,

so I'll give it a try,

I know your younger than me,

by a year or to,

so when I punch in the numbers,

it comes out,

YOUR TWENTEY-TWO

happy B-day

half a year

2008-07-01T08:48:00.002-08:00

Boy...68 degrees at 9am in the "cosmic hamlet by the sea"
The next three days host some of the lowest tides of the year! Food scrounging on the beach may lead to a full belly!? Or maybe just a belly full!
Softball team scored 18 runs last night and beat the combined Oiler/Nads for the first time this season. The last three games we have scored 78 runs to our oponents 14. Knock on wood I hope the bats stay hot for the Firecracker tourney this weekend in Kenai. We will be spotting some of the teams (most of them) up to eight runs.

GOOD LUCK

KEEPERS

POINT WEST VIDEO

ANCHOR ANGLERS

BELUGA LAKE LODGE

WHALERS

river enforcement

2008-06-24T08:42:00.002-08:00

I heard a story yesterday I had to share;
I young local guy I know, who is a frequent spit hole fisherman, was on the Anchor the last weekend of king season. He had a rough season also, as you all know about the pitiful runs everywhere. Anyway, he's down in the tide zone fishing with the scumbags, in there hole. After stoping fishing four or five time so other fisherman could play and exhaust their snagged kings, he wandered downriver, where he came across another young man who had just successfully landed a spawned out steelhead. The fish layed on the rocks, while the guy yelled for his buddy to "get the camera!" Kyle asked the guy to return the fish to the water and release it. The guy mumbled at him, and proceed to get his pliers out to begin surgery on the poor fish. Kyle got mad--Told the guy in a loud angered voice that he was gonna drown him, then release his fish. The guy being angered and scared turned his fish loose, and left the river. Kyle went back to fishing. Half hour later the guy comes back, with four big buddies, and they wanted to fight!

Fortunately Kyle had buddies to, fishing around him that had witnessed the earlyier ordeal. The fight turned out to be a shouting match, and the five gangsters, were outnumbered by the fifty fisherman in that hole. Thank god they moved on instead of coming back again with machine guns! We thought Cambell creek was a tough place to fish!

Season Summary

2008-06-20T17:28:00.002-08:00

sixteen sleepless nights,

Three lousy little bites.

If I could do it again,

I would surely sleep in!

The season was not a total loss,

saw a Brown Bear on the river,

almost gave my cookies a toss,

he was born free, and running loose,

I'm sure he was thinking about baby moose.

on the last day, we fished at the bridge,

we didn't know,

we were being watched from the ridge.

When Jimmy caught the only fish of the day,

A large majestic eagle wanted to play,

He swooped down with all his might,

(gave us all quite a fright)

and took Jimmy's fish--into the night.

2008 King Salmon season

in the books

Ode to King Salmon

2008-06-15T11:39:00.003-08:00

I've seen them out there,

I've been casting all night.

I wish I could catch one,

and feel the thing fight.

As I stand in the river,

I hear the birds sing,

It remindes me of a time,

when I once caught a King!!

Just wait till next year!!

back to the Den

2008-06-13T10:05:00.002-08:00

greetings Bloggers and clan members;
As I await the finial weekend opener on the Anchor river, I watch the drizzle fall from the sky. I hope this will discourage some of the the other Bears, from lurking to my favorite fishing hole at 3AM, but I'm sure they are all planing their mid-night assaults as I am.
I am always looking to aid my fishing luck with small superstitions, this habit I developed as a ball-player. I tried slacking on hygiene, but was vetoed by mama bear, I tried new gear, it broke. I tried fishing the "honey" hole with the pukers, I spent more time un-tangling than fishing. So I've decided to turn to the old family talent....POETRY

Ode to the King Salmon:

Your Body is strong

You swim with might

All these Hours I've spent

wishing you'd bite

Oh, I cry in my coffee

you damn S.O.B.

maybe I'd do better

if I'd start drinking Tea!

Have a good day on the water, and good luck with your fishing.

back again

2008-05-12T13:39:00.003-08:00

currently I anticipate the start of the new King Salmon Season. The road to the den in the woods has very little snow and will be full on mud-bog heaven soon.

We'll see how long we stay on the www this time. See everyone at the annual meeting at the whole in the wall soon....Bears

OH...FYI, the two time state champions, and winners of the last three city championships formally known as Point West Video and the Anchor Anglers, will be called Beluga Lake Lodge this season. Good luck to them this season.

Is it spring yet?

2008-03-27T07:59:00.002-08:00

3.849

Thats the price of un-leaded gas at Down East yesterday. You can still buy a five gallon Jug of gas for lesas than 20 bucks, but not Diesal, $4.20.9 at the same station. SICK!!

Took my Buddy from the Coho campground, and his sister, for a ride yesterday. His sister (who works on a cruise ship in the Bahamas) is on her first trip to Alaska and had not riden a snow-go since her youth 20+ years ago. Well, the weather was GREAT! and she got some good pics to take home and show her friends who have never seen snow. She was dressed like one of those weeble-wobbles for fear of getting cold, but most of that gear was in her backpack in the first five miles.

coming to an end

2008-03-10T09:46:00.003-08:00

This guy looks a little shifty. I don't think he (or she) should be trusted.
Jeff is still being driven by sixteen dogs, this seems good, but I wonder if Lance's 12 are lean and mean, and very fast! Plus I have a feeling that Lance actually has more than 12 dogs, because if he smells that "clean coat" behind him, he will run the last 150 miles himself!! He is most comfy out front and I see him having an advantage right now.
However I think I may have jinxed Aaron and Mitch, so I will not take a guess at who will win. What a amazing race, with amazing athelets. I feel proud and happy to root for all 90? mushers.

ooops

2008-03-05T11:34:00.003-09:00

Mama Bear showed me how to use the speller yesterday, also the year I was referring to in my last blog was 1989, Susan had won the past three years and was a heavy favorite to win four in a row, and tie Swenson for most victories. I found this cool photo of Rick at the Daily News website.

GOOO Aaron!

2008-03-04T09:01:00.002-09:00

In 1990 I lived in Nome and saw Joe Runyun edge Susan Butcher in a drag race down Front street! It was very exciting and made me an Idirod fan for life. Another fan who watched the end of that race with me was Aaron Burmister and his brother. At the time, one was a fourth grader and the other may have been in fifth or sixth grade. I can't remember why, but their mother was out of town and I was house sitting for her and making sure the boys went to school, did homework, and took care of the dog lot. I can't remember who owned the dogs, but both boys spent any spare time working or running them. The older boy built a sled for a school project, I rember being very immpressed. Aaron was in the top three going over the pass. I hope he does well. Mitch Seavey from Seward is my prediction for a winner, I don't know why, call it a hunch.

After the Run

2008-03-03T09:12:00.002-09:00

It seems about 180 riders joined in this years "raffle Run" First prize was about $950 and went to Phil Needham. (a local contractor, and our neighbor in the woods) Mama Bear and I had a good time and went home with a gallon of two stroke oil and a small two piece collapsable shovel. Mama Ravin stuffed her cousin the Turkey and baked him at her cabin while we were out riding. When we finnished the run we returned to a warm cabin and a warm meal. The baking bird could be smelt miles away. I wonder if any of my cousins sleeping near by smelt that? I still havent figured out that new machine, Its different than anything I've ever rode. I saw the bottom of the track several times and checked out the headlight and under the front bumper while moving a few times. Its got 112 miles on it now, I hope by 500 Dana or I learn howm to ride it.

Poker Run 2008

2008-02-27T08:53:00.000-09:00

Saturday marks the start of the 2008 Iditarod, it is also the day for Snomads 2008 "fun run". This will be my six-teenth running of the "poker/fun run". When I started the idea was to beat down 70 miles of hard bummpy trail, stopping along the way at five different cabins (checkpoints) to draw a card at each. Who ever had the best poker hand at the end of the ride got first prize. I don't remember forsure, but I think, if it was a tie the contestants would fight in a cage until a victor was established.
Well a few years back some loser decided that because it was poker, it was gambling and now its illeagal. So now we go to the same five checkpoints (on a groomed trail) and get a raffle ticket. At the end of the run, all the tickets are put in a hat and the winners are drawn. This method is probley more fair, but I miss seeing the ties.
First prize last year was $1500, not a bad shot for a day ridding.

This is a wonderful time of year in Alaska, get out and get a tan. Or throw a snowball

Happy Birthday

2008-02-25T17:29:00.000-09:00

Happy Birthday Sissy! Happy Wedding Day To The Woodpeckers. Today is an exciting day!

Love the Bloggers

2008-02-22T08:37:00.000-09:00

Boy I'm impressed with the ammount of attention my Blog post got after almost a year with no posts.Thanks for sharing your comments. I read hyper-boobs review of "Call us Champions" sounds like our opions were very similar.
I think Lance Mackey would save money and miles on his new truck, if he just mushed on down to Anch. and then on to Nome. I don't think his dogs would care.
Oh one more thing, I sure hope Osama saw us blow that "school bus sized" sattilite out of the sky, from his cave. I hope he knows we have another missle like that, just for him. Prety damn accurate to. God Bless the USA.

we're back

2008-02-21T13:01:00.003-09:00

Just a Quick comment on the book "They call us champions" by Steve Wolfe. I thought the book was well written, and very comical. The memories were not exactly the same as mine, however the disclaimer at the start of the book excuses that. I was glad to read the stories of Tad excatly as they had been told to me when I was a child. One comment, not about the book, but about Squeel. The book mentioned his intensity, but I have to tell you this guy was as dedicated to being a champion as no other. Coach mentioned John's "crossface" and the "forced snap craddle" he punnished his opponents with constantly. Coach didn't mention, John practiced these and other most painful wrestling moves on me everyday in practice. In practice there are no refs, and inflicting pain on your wrestling partner was fair game, if he could take it. My senior year John was the only kid on the team who would practice with me, and I him. I knew if I could beat Squeel I would be a state champ, so I tried to beat him everyday! He was the toughest guy I ever wreslled.

Speaking of champs--Lance Mackey and that team of his!!! -Awsome- Somebody should write a book about them!

FIRE IN THE WOODS

2007-06-24T12:05:00.000-08:00

Saturday June 23, around 2 pm. View north from the upstairs window. Three bomers were dipping water from caribou lake, and dumping on this southern most fire line. By air its a mile or two from the cabin to the fire. Southern winds and some drizzley rain are holding it off for now. The area around the cabin is clear of brush so hopefully we are safe. Thanks to the hard working clan members who stepped up to help protect the "den in the woods"

Another Fine Weekend

2007-05-31T18:20:00.000-08:00

Greetings Clan members and fellow bloggers. Another very fine Memorial day at "the hole in the wall" was had, by all the Bears. Thanks to the Eagles for making it easy for us stay comfey in our summer den. Also the Wolves and Buffalos for providing the meat, as the fishing was kind of slow. (at least for Bears) We look forward to another busy summer putting up food for next winter. It won't be long now!!

still snowy

2007-04-23T19:21:00.000-08:00

I saw the Ice Jams on the lower Anchor River a few days ago, awesome as usual. Yesterday I ventured to the winter den on Bear Ridge. There was no sign of spring out there, other than the 39 degrees on them thermometer. Still easy three feet on the sledding hill, Moosehorn and caribou lakes (beluga also) are still frozen and white. All the creeks and streams draining into the mighty Anchor are still covered with several feet of snow. We hope to be done riding by fishing season. We'll see...Watch for Bears

Fish On

2007-04-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Well it won't be long now. The warm weather and the "wonderful" aromas of spring seem to have the bears starting to stir. Brown Bear got a permit to drive a car with another licensed driver...poor sucker. Blond Bear is ready to play ball, and searching for ground not covered with snow. Mama bear encourages this behavior, a common sickness shared by ballplayers. I am always in search of ground covered with snow, and deny the coming of spring. However... there is those ever encouraging words of summer I dream to say "FISH ON"

PS the rider in the above photo is a blood relative of one of the clans. If anybody knows who this is, A special memorial day prize will be granted for the first successful guess.

DDF Meet

2007-01-21T12:29:00.000-09:00

Hello all!
As you probably know, Marina has been involved in DDF this year - Drama, Debate and Forensics. This weekend she sealed her spot on the State team by placing first in her DI (dramatic interpretation) presentation - she has placed in the top three around the state 4 times doing three different Edgar Allan Poe poems but this time she did a monologue from "V is for Vendetta" (Valeries monologue) and WON! She has qualified also for the Solo category by placing around the state prior to this weekend ('Spirits of the Dead' by Edgar Allan Poe).

This weekend her solo presentation didn't place so she's thinking about changing that piece. There's a poem called something like 'I am meth' - we will be looking for that published somewhere so she can consider it. She is ecstatic!!! I couldn't believe it when I saw my quiet girl get up and do what she did and do it SO well :) Nearly brought me to tears. The 'Spirits of the Dead' is seriously good too but we think she just can't make it long enough to win.

The solo presentation can be anything - humorous, dramatic - and they can move around during the presentation for this one. They can have a desk, a chair and a small prop but no costumes and it must be less than 8 minutes. Any ideas Clans? She's really good at kind of scary, spooky stuff but no teenage angst stuff because everyone is doing that - any ideas? Marina is open to classic works too.

So State is in March at UAA but we don't have specifics yet. She will be competing again in Anchorage in February (another qualifying event but for Marina it'll just be more practice for state) but this last weekend was the first time she let any of us see her perform, so not sure she's ready for the whole clan to be there yet - maybe by State.

So that's our news for this weekend - I never would've thought a child of mine would be such an incredible public speaker - I am so proud! Mama Bear.

I think

2007-01-19T22:02:00.000-09:00

THE BEARS ARE MITEY!
but, the saints have god on there side

The Colts are due, at home in the dome, its their turn

So super bowl xxx watever--New Orlenses vs Indy

anybody seen this guy?

2007-01-17T20:07:00.000-09:00

I hear he can be found driving around anchor point, sometimes short one wheel.

its been awile

2007-01-13T15:39:00.000-09:00

Greetings Bloggers.
we're back, and today I have to say
GO SEAHAWKS!!

They have no chance
The BEARS are mitey

allstars

2006-07-16T08:57:00.000-08:00

At long last our small bear and my loving spouse have returned from the land of soft dirt infields, and smooth green- groomed outfields. The team ended fourth place, winning two games, one against Kenai, the other against Kodiak. The other team Homer played (Dimond-West) beat us twice. (There is no baned substance rule for little leaguers)
Summer is a joyous time and I hope all the the clans are happy and healthy. Da Bears

Summer Den

2006-06-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday mama bear and I ventured out to our den in the woods. We got hung up in almost every mud hole we came to, and the normal 45 minute ride (10 minute on sno-go) took us almost three hours. We were covered head to toe in slimey, smelly swamp mud...it was AWSOME!!!
No sign of our brown cousins, however some critter tried to get into my gen shed, probley had a toster or something.
Blond bear will be practiceng every day this week for all stars, starting July 11, at Knik fields in eagle river. She seems excited to get gointg and play ball.
Next week-end we will be in Kenai at the fourth of July softball tourney. Teams from anch and the vally usualy show up, along with the four or five Kenai teams, it should be fun playing against strangers for a change. We will be wearing our Angler jerserys proudley.

fourth weekend

2006-06-12T08:19:00.000-08:00

The Anchor river was HOT again this weekend. The ritiual of storing nuts for the winter has begun. (Like squirels). If you have never seen a bear in a SUV, you could come to Homer. Mama Bear recentely purchased a 2004 Chevyn Tracker. Its a red four door 4x4 with 15 inch tires, Shuuld be good for picking up food on the beach. ( we are kind of lazy bears.) Lie-burgers in anch gave us a bag of oranges, as a thank you for our purchase. I hear go-see-cow was givingn away I-pods. oh well, bears like oranges to. Next weekend is it for king salmon, bummer, summer is going by fast, however ther is always something to look forward to. (see pic) Bye for now, papa bear.

2006-06-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

Blonde Bear officially has her own blog! www.blondebear.blogspot.com
Aunt Heidi.. I may need some help personalizing mine too!

2006-05-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

I've discovered I just don't have the patience to even figure out how to add all of the families sites as links, so if anyone could give me a quick low down, I'd appreciate it. Also, none of the sites I've seen on the web look like any of you guys' - any hints? We don't need anything fancy but something with a little bit more personality would be good! Dana

Hey peeps! ;-)

2006-05-06T11:29:00.000-08:00

Hey peeps whats up wit muh fam! This is "blonde bear" :) I just got back from a Seward trip with my class! It was really awesome! We went to the Seward Muesum, the shell fish hatchery, the sea life center, the whittier tunnel, and the animal conservetory! We also went on a boat ride to a glacier! We almost went to the fish place (can't remember what its called but basically there is fish heads everywhere!) but we didn't luckily ;) Well all is well in the bear house Papa bear built Mama bear a greenhouse and I think its really awesome. Well hope you guys are doing great!
Luv ya!
Sierra "Blonde Bear" Harrington

2006-05-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Here is our Marina girl in Venice. She was really in her element over there :)

Welcome to the den

2006-05-06T07:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the den. Hibernation season is almost over. Mamma bear and Brown bear returned from the winter camping grounds in Rome,and venice, Florance, and other Itialian places. Blond bear and I camped at our vacation villa in the caribou hills, with the Moose clan. A good time was had by all i'm sure. We look forward to seeing everyone at the gathering of th clans, at the hole in the wall in a few weeks. This year the dogs may outnumber the kids.--DaBears

Hi pple

2006-05-03T21:16:00.000-08:00

the bear clan has now joined blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! cub 2 is in seward with her class and papa bear is still grumpy in the morring ( so what else is new) Mama bear is on a flower rampage just waiting to dig in the dirt. Me im a techy. ( that means im a theater tech) lights are my thing! nuthen else is new and its bad wet wether. in case u havent heard im not dating patrick any more. So im free free free at last thank God almity im free at last. school is almost out 17 days hear and i just cant wate till iv got no more poor little baby pigs to disect in bioligy(yuck!!!!!!!!!)