Hey, Guys! Thanks for responding to the question! I loved reading both of your answers and hearing your stories. I grew up in a small town in Illinois, but it was never NEARLY wild enough for me. (I think most of my readers already know that, but there may be an occasional stranger that trips over this site that doesn't.) I hunted, fished (I bet Allen remembers that!) and camped as much as I could, but I always knew there was definitely better out there so it always sort of felt like I was playing at being outdoorsy. Well, I've found the REAL outdoors now, and I love it! From hunting or fishing out of Prince WIlliam Sound, seeing the dolphins jumping in the wake of the boat as we go out, to bear hunting up in the mountains or walking out on my porch, this is the real deal. My friend Chuck, (Who I mentioned before.) told me one night as we were sitting by the campfire after a day of silver fishing that wherever I might go after Alaska I would always compare everything I saw to it. I completely understand what he was talking about now. I'm not saying there's not incredible, amazing places in the rest of the world, and someday I'd love to see them all, but Alaska is going to be the yardstick I use to measure them by now.
So, good news, I heard from my friend Bill the other day. Bill lives in a remote cabin up Talkeetna way and typically once the first snow hits I don't hear from him till breakup. It's an odd thing, having a good friend who may or may not still be alive. He lives up there alone with his dogs and, as you know if you've read much of this blog, lots of unexpected things can happen to you fast up here. Bill is the guy that I have do all my leather work. The things he crafts are amazing. In fact, when communication is a little easier I plan on putting a custom order in with him for a new holster for my .44 magnum. I have an idea about one that isn't on the market yet so I want to have him build me one and see how it works out. It's a design that will be easy to carry, but allow me to get the gun out fast if I need it, even with a heavy winter coat on.
I think I'm FINALLY on the sunny sign of this stupid bug, I'm feeling better today, hoping it keeps going! Of course, I may be fooled into thinking I'm feeling better because it's FINALLY frikkin warm out! As I write this it's 24 degrees! The water is thawed in the house, I can start cleaning the gawd-awful mess up and make it like a house again!
Oh, John, I'm really glad I decided to send that article to Charlie at Backwoodsman too. It's my first published work and I kind of have to admit, I'm fairly addicted to seeing my name in print so I will likely be sending him some more stuff as well as trying to get published a few other places. No matter what, though, if it allowed me to make a contact that becomes a friend it was absolutely worth it!
Well, it's almost 1:00 Am now, and I think it's time to go try to get some sleep since I'm still fighting the Crud..time to hang up the guns and watch a movie! I hope everyone has a great day today and a better one tomorrow! See ya!