A River Of Memories  

Posted by Stan Harrington

Although the Anchor River is currently encrusted in ice. In a few short months, the river will flow once again and the salmon will return to the river of their origin. Once again, when the Anchor River opens to King Salmon fishing, the Harrington family will also return to the river.

The Anchor River and adjoining marine fisheries of Cook Inlet have played a major role in our family and our lives. It is just not the fishing that attracts us to the Anchor River, it is a River of Memories of our Youth, Weddings, Memorial Services, and our Lives. I grew up on the Anchor River as did my children and now their children.

The Spring of 2009 will mark the 57th Year that we have walked the banks of the Anchor River. Each "fishing hole" will bring back special memories of years past, even those that are now barren of water due to the river always changing course, much like our own lives. We have our special places that we like to sit and watch the river, for no apparent reason other than to reflect on our lives, both present and past. In the realm of time, fifty seven years is just a speck, but in our lives it represents five generations of Harrington's on the Anchor River.

My father, Vern Harrington and my brother, Tad Harrington discovered the Anchor River in 1952 on their first visit to Alaska. The Anchor River was the primary reason that they chose to move to this area from Colorado. They have since passed, but my father would be pleased to know that his Great, Great Granddaughters spend time on the Anchor River. Life continues and with each passing season, memories of this special river will continue to flow into our lives.



This entry was posted on January 4, 2009 at Sunday, January 04, 2009 . You can follow any responses to this entry through the comments feed .

2 comments

I hadn't seen many of those pictures, I glad you remembered BeeBee in the credits.
Devyn told me the other day that she will bring her children down every summer, so she can inflict the same pain on her children when she grows up.
Thanks dad!

1/4/09, 1:42 PM

Your words reminded me of a river runs through it (the book and not the movie). I am glad the movie made it into your soundtrack as well.

1/4/09, 2:45 PM

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