Exit Stage left

It was the only thing to do. MPeasy and I jumped the jet and I don't mind telling that we're back in the happy confines of Mile 14 a little earlier than usual but just as happy to be here never the less. There's just so much different here and I guess that if I've learned anything lately it's this... some places I just don't fit in... but here, well, it's different. At the Seattle Airport they were hocking new Ford trucks, in L.A. it's just mass confusion...But at Ted Stevens International it all makes sense, they're showing off a brand spankin new sno-cat.

We get on the Caravan to fly to Kenai and the pilot is one of the Lindeman girls from Ninilchik. We talk basketball as she was part of that stunning run of State Championships back in the 90's and her dad was the wrestling coach in the 70's that mentored my friend Bruce Passe...it just all feels right, I know these people, and they know me.

As we fly over the Moose Range I look down at the harsh environment and it seems so much gentler and approachable than where I  just left, I guess home looks like that no matter if it's the wilderness of Alaska or a High rise in New York City.  What you really see is safety and comfort, a safety that comes from at least knowing for sure how this one part of the world works, your home. It's a great feeling and somehow seems real honest to me right now when I need some of that in my life to draw on.

There's only three of us on the plane and the pilot does a landing approach from the south to the north so we bank hard over the mouth of the Kenai River...mine and so many's favorite place. It's just a gorgeous flight. I'm thinking that little ol creek down there has done so much for me, through it I found the way. We supported ourselves, we raised healthy and happy kids, we've had fun and I hope we've kept the faith, I hope we've stayed true to this wonderful place. As a River Board member I worked for healthier use of the river. We started the yearly clean-up, we pushed to end Hydro Carbon contamination, we've suggested more drift boat use to give the old river a chance to breath and I hope it's all helped and I especially hope that it's both helped and not hurt anybody.  I hope my back yard knows that I've been true and that I stood up, I really do.

Naturally when we hit Mile 14 I had to get down the hill and visit with this place. It's strange to see the River unfrozen , it seems to be like this a little more and more each year. Maybe that will be good for the fish and all the creatures like us but I think maybe not. This day it's I just listen and look. It's a dark and grey day, the little drop below our house lets off a nice little gurgle sound and there's an Eagle in the last good Cottonwood on the island and the tracks indicate we've had many coyotes and a wolf walk through and.....it all seems to say, welcome home .

Like I said I've learned a lot lately. I could go on and on about the code of the west and how friends, real friends stand up.  And I could write about those selfish few that put themselves above everybody so often that it makes their numbers seem more than they really are....I guess that's how we lose faith in people. I could, I really could go on and on an on and on and....but what I've really learned is that I just don't fit in and ya know I guess I never have. I just needed to be reminded.