The heavy rains of September have temporarily disappeared from the Doppler Radar. In their place, the Autumn season has arrived marked by the coloring of the leaves. It seems as if it was just yesterday, I watched the leaves burst from bud form and now they will disappear in anticipation of winter.
The past two days have been beautiful in the little village by the river. The crisp early morning air giving way to the warmth of the sun during the day. This morning when I ventured down to the "Hole In the Wall Recreation Area", the first thing that caught my attention was a wheelbarrow that had partially filled with rain water over the past week. This morning, a half inch of ice covered the surface.
The "fall" is also a good time to reflect back to the summer months. Despite, the weather it was a great summer. Oh, there are things that I would have liked to have done but nothing that cannot be put off until next year. This season, my life revolved around the "Hole In the Wall" and I have enjoyed every minute of the time spent on the various project. Very few days passed this summer that someone was not camping at the Hole In The Wall, a lot of firewood fed the non-stop fire pit, a lot of coffee consumed, and there was always a "cold one" just a few steps from the fire pit.
The "little ones" played hard and enjoyed being outside where their imaginations could go wild, the sand hill remains the most popular spot for their adventures. Adults also used their imaginations as well, somehow a moose puppet found it's way to the satellite dish receiver, blocking all signals to the television sets inside the Eagle Nest. One of the best practical jokes this year, even if it did cost me $150.00 to have the technician discover the problem and leave laughing with his check in hand. The most ingenious moments was when one of the mothers came up with a marvelous concept. After tiring of making "Kool-Aid" by the pitcher, she filled her fifty gallon water tank in her trailer with "Kool Aid" so the kids could help themselves by just turning on the faucet.
Time was taken to do a little fishing, the Moose Clan Guide did well in the marine waters of Cook Inlet for late run King Salmon and of course the Master did well on Anchor River during the Silver Salmon run. Remind me next spring to tell all of you the story about that 16.5 Silver Salmon that I won the derby with this year! In all, it was a great summer because we had the opportunity to share it with family and good friends.
Along with the joy of camping and sharing good times, we also accomplished so much work. This to was a family affair assisted by good friends. Although the work continues and will for sometime, we have accomplished part of the total concept of having a place to escape to and have a place for our "little ones" to build memories of the Anchor River, just as they were passed down to each of us. Thanks for the memories, everyone!
