My wife, Wenche (sounds like Venka) and I decided back in January that come hell-or-high-water we were going to get back to Alaska this summer for our vacation – (specifically Bristol Bay). And somehow, we stumbled our way there in a window between Covid surges that happened to take place over our birthdays.
Added bonus was the gift of fishing with our friend, and Salmon Nation co-founder, Spencer Beebe. All of this happening under the great care and guidance of my dear friends Nanci Lyon, her husband Heath and daughter Riley – owners of the incredible Bear Trail Lodge in King Salmon, AK on the East side of Bristol Bay.Wenche caught her first Rainbow Trout ever and a Jack King Salmon on a dry fly.
I caught my biggest Rainbow ever with my guide and friend, Kvichak Aspelund.
And Spencer landed a beauty, then snorkeled the Naknek River to celebrate.
In an awe-inspiring day, we had the great privilege of attending visitor’s day at the first ever Bristol Bay Education Foundation Culture Camp. The young folks attending represented the Aluetiq, Denai’na and Yupik Peoples and were filled with light, laughter and prided and shared it with us. It was incredible.
Wenche and I were gifted an incredible King Salmon barbecue and restful night at Turquoise Bend - the beautiful home of Spelman Downer and Barbara Bauer on the Kenai River. Spelman is a venerable Alaskan artist, whose work speaks to the urgency of the climate crisis.
We finished the trip over our birthdays in beautiful Homer. We got to visit our friends, Emma and Claire’s new beautiful Salmon Sisters store our on the Homer Spit and on my actual birthday, hiked to Glewingk Glacier where I took a brisk 49 in the 49th celebratory dip with the ice chunks. I said, BRISK.
Grateful for the Great Land. Its people and land keep my heart-fire stoked. Onward…
Save The Date!!
The Wild live, in-person, screening in Boulder, CO October 14th.
We are partnering with our friends at Wild Salmon Center and Backpacker’s Pantry for a live and live-streamed screening of The Wild. If you can join us in person, you’ll also rock an Eva’s Wild Bristol Bay wild salmon barbecue, music by the amazing Melanie Brown and an all-star panel discussing critical action steps to permanently protect Bristol Bay. All net-proceeds will benefit that effort.