Just received an on site verification from Ranger Bill that Beaver, Utah has been spared from the big range fire that rampaged over the state of Utah the past few days. I do appreciate his report, especially since he was taking a load into Chicago from San Francisco and took a short cut to check out Beaver.

With the price of gas and other expenses, associated with camping, I can fully understand and appreciate the decline of the visitor count at the HITW Recreational Area this year. However, I have just come across a concept that can help eliminate these costs and still provide a very scenic and breathtaking trip to Anchor Point.

According to the Associated Press, at 2.pm. today, they released a story about a gentleman who discovered an inexpensive mode of transportation which should really excite the Plumma. His name is Kent Couch, a 47 year old gas station attendant from Bend, Oregon. Last weekend, he settled down in his lawn chair with some snacks - and a parachute. Attached to his lawn chair were 105 large helium filled balloons, his destination was Idaho.

With instruments to measure his altitude and speed, a gps device in his pocket, and four plastic bags holding five gallons of water each to act as ballast where he could turn the spigot, release water and raise, Couch headed into the Oregon sky.

Nearly nine hours later, he came back to earth in a farmers field near Union, short of Idaho but about 193 miles from home. The flying lawn chair was videotaped by a passenger in a private aircraft that just happened to be flying by.

Anyone of you desiring to fly to Anchor Point, I will insure that the airport in Anchor Point is reserved for your landing or if you have enough ballast to make a quick dissent, I will clear the lawn at the Eagle Nest to insure you have adequate space to sit down. Who will be the first to conquer the air space between Las Anchorage and Anchor Point? I would suggest an overland route, make an attempt to fly the coast line of Cook Inlet, you may end up visiting Kodiak Island, if you are lucky!