Dip netting and beach combing

July 16-19, 2013

Wow!  Found ourselves smack-dab in the middle of a salmon run…stayed at a campground FILLED with over-anxious dip-netters.   The campground was NOT one we will stay at again—dirty, expensive ($57.00), long waits for the showers and toilets, and it stank (dead fish and seagull poop).  I thought I could handle the fishing, nope.  We went down to the beach to see the process.  Fisher people stood chest-high in the water with big nets and waited for a salmon to swim into it.  They then pulled the salmon to the beach, hit it numerous times on the head, and passed it on to another person who quickly filleted it.  The meat went into a cooler and the carcass onto the sand.  The gulls were crazy and numerous!  Although no fighting was necessary (there was so much carnage), they still screamed; the noise was deafening.  We didn’t stay long.  Someone commented that it was the best week for "harvest"...I am trying to think of it that way.  I just cannot watch it.

The least busy section of the "harvest"

Next stop—the end of the road (literally).  We have been staying at Discovery Campground (an Alaskan State Campground).  The rocky beach is gorgeous and the agate hunting has been fun.  (Yes, Kristen, we are on it!  SMILES!!!  We have gathered many rocks, although I am not sure they are all agates.  SOOO, expect a box of pretty rocks that hopefully includes some agates!)  Beach combing seems to be a new skill for Matt--he was focused and determined to gather as many agates as possible.  I like this new skill!  SMILES!  It allows me time to watch the surf, look for rocks, and generally think about life while surrounded by beauty and blown by sea breezes.

Matt also loves whittling!  (Thanks Uncle John!)

10:30 p.m. just behind our camper at Discovery Campground