Perfect Alaska Exporation Rig (minus a sailboat)

I saw this truck in the Fred Meyer parking lot. Bikes, kayak, canoe, topper (dog, raft, and fly fishing poles were in back under topper), camper, add a toyota truck and a sailboat and this would be my dream rig.

Portage Glacier, Whittier Alaska

This is for all my friends with knee problems, back problems, life has kicked them in the butt problems.
This dog is a perfect example of "There is no excuse! Make a few modifications, perhaps get a helping hand, but get out and enjoy life!"

Friend Dave, Preparing to raft the Kenai River to Skilak Lake.

I was about to go with him but then got a call from work saying there was a meeting that evening and they needed me and my wisdom. To play or be responsible, it was one of the hardest choices of my life. It is a section of river I've wanted to float all summer but I ended up taking off my gear and heading back to the big city. Apparently he had the time of his life on the trip, and I still have my job. "smile". I hope to have another opportunity to float it as soon as camp is over.

Great Sunset Photos Taken This Weekend On The Kenai

Here is where our Lake Clark kayaking trips will be paddled (Tuxedni Bay). The large mountain is actually an active volcano.

Look Who's The Alaska Fly Fisher-Woman Now!!!

My First Fish!!!!!!!!!!! Tiz A Biggen! So big I couldn't fit it into my net so I had to use my hands "smile"
Rainbow Trout (look closely in my hand, real close) "smile"
Russion River
Special thanks to my co-worker and new friend Keith who gave me the fly and a bit of advice.

Fun Wildlife Pics I Took This Weekend

"Alaska Sail&Paddle Eco Adventures" Is Born

In realizing that I will need a bit more than my teaching stippen to build my home in Girdwood (at least one with all 4 walls) "smile" in the timeframe I'm looking for (this century), my friend Nathan and I decided to start a business. In partnership with Alaska West Air just North of Kenai. We (mostly Nathan) will be guiding trips (bear viewing, wildlife and pictograph/fossil tours) through Tuxedni Bay in Lake Clark National Park and the Swanson Lakes System on the Kenai. I hope to be helping with the Swanson Lakes trips and guiding Eco Sailing trips on the Kenai and Skilak Lakes. Being that we both come from education backgrounds, all our trips will be "educational focused". We also have a goal to do a few free trips for needy kids. This business is also developed in hopes that it will help me reach my goal of a someday creating a career development/service learning/outdoor leadership outreach for at risk/cancer/needy kids in the Rockies (or where ever God leads me to have it).
(more pictures to come)

The Swanson Lakes Paddle System is a series of beautiful lakes with short portages in between. You can do day paddles here or spend a week to months in this system. Lots of great bird watching and trout fishing. This is a popular spot on the kenai. I plan on leading a lot of these trips along with the sailing adventures.


(Below: Kenai Lake)

Kenai Lake is a beautiful Teal Green/Blue lake in the heart of prime fishing country that is visited by thousands of tourists (and locals) a summer. It is located at the headwaters of Kenai River. Many raft/float fishing trips start at the base where the Kenai flows out toward the ocean. There are also a few sailors who live around the lake, a few of the boats are pictured below.



(Below: Skilak Lake)

Skilak Lake is a large lake on the Kenai Penn road system, just North of Sterling, AK. It is a popular lake for fisherman and rafters due to the fact that the Kenai River empties into it, and flows out of it. There is amazing bear viewing at the mouth of the rivers (as the bear are feasting on the salmon that the Kenai is famous for). There is also a glacier at one end the helps drum up steady winds.


AK West Air float plane. Island Lake, AK (Just North of the town of Kenai).

AK West Air is our float plane partner, it was these wonderful people who told us about Tuxedni Bay as being a prime spot for a sea kayaking business.

Tuxedni Bay is located in Lake Clark N.P. This photo and the shots below are of the bay that I pulled off the internet. We will be taking our scouting trip (myself and 6 others) to the bay on August 5th. When business kicks off I'm putting Nathan in charge of these trips (losing Tom is still too close to home but Tom wouldn't want it to stop me from living life here in AK, so I'll do a few of the trips but I'd rather sail anyway). Still it's breathtaking isn't it! This will be our money trip. Nathan is a great kayaker and will do a good job.