Great Gift

The weekend before Memorial Day we enjoyed a great gift--a visit from former Alaska friends Melissa and Brandon! The Viators used to live right by our little house but had to move on before Amy left Nome. Melissa is deploying to the Middle East for the second time, but she's joining Brandon who has already been serving in Afghanistan. While on leave, they used precious time together for a trip back to AK. We had their company for a long weekend and on top of that they really spoiled us: a halibut fishing charter in Seward as a wedding gift! As much as we liked the gift, we enjoyed much more the time spent with our friends. We secretly hope for a permanent return to Alaska. Highlights from the excellent weather day in Seward, and some peaks at what's in our freezer.It took hours before we got some solid halibut catches so we drummed up the Rock Fish for interim excitement. But there are other creatures from the sea that also excite. Melissa's muscles really worked this throw-back, much to our amusement!

The Skate is apparently unwanted and common. It's NOT what you want to bring up twice, like she did!
Here's our boat's halibut payload. The biggest catch in the middle was one of Andy's fish. He's kind of a catch too.Wheelbarrow full of yummy rock fish. We hit up a school in the open waters.All in all, the time in Seward exhausted and completed us.We think of our friends and this special trip as we thaw out an occasional fillet. We still need to try smoking halibut to create an ocean-themed Care Package for the desert.
We miss you, Viators-come home safe!

*Andy and Amy