SNOHOMISH COUNTRY TROUT FISHING TRIP

The family enjoyed a delightfully productive long weekend on a trout fishing expedition.  All five families stayed in a private log lodge within walking distance of some great rainbows and browns.  Weather was perfect with a surreal fog-shrouded stream at daybreak and near-full moon glistening on the trickling rapids at nightfall.  Of course, though, fishing was not quite as favorable as implied by the photo below, from a nearby hatchery. 

We all enjoyed our traditional Saturday night feast of deep-fried and grill-baked trout, and too many side dishes and deserts to admit.   Sunday morning we all took our matriarch, Grandma Donna, to the main lodge for Mother's Day dinner.

Trout fishing was stellar; but we can't wait until salmon season returns so we can fish right from our back yard in "Snohomish Country".

However, things were not all a slam dunk.  We did have some competition for the trout as shown at left (wink).

TROUT UNLIMITED "KIDS' FISHING DAY" IN SNOHOMISH COUNTRY

We had a thrilling, fantastically successful Kids' Fishing Day this weekend in Monroe, Washington.  

A proud kid and his buddy at the 2015 Monroe Kids' Fishing Day
 (Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

With several sponsors, including Trout Unlimited, Monroe Lions Club and Hagen Grocery, there were lots of fish, plenty volunteer help, various snacks...and Kids' Smiles Unlimited.  

I spoke with one of the organizers who said he had personally counted the many dozens of over-three pound trout included in the special stocking.  When I arrived there about 9:30 the place was already buzzing with hundreds of happy fisherkids and equally smiley adults...and only 15 of the whoppers had been weighed in so far.

Monroe WA 2015 Kids' Fishing Day
 (Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

 Interesting that every single one of the hundreds of kids I saw, and nearly every one of their adult companions seemed so happy and laid back.  Nothing like opening bell on weekends at some of the stocked "trout streams" I have visited in state parks elsewhere.

Four proud, successful anglers
 (Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

The Monroe Lions Club and Trout Unlimited had set up to clean the fish for the kids and to weigh each fish.

Congratulations Trout Unlimited, Monroe Lions' Club, Hagens Grocery and the many other sponsors.  A great day for kids craving a day of trout fishing in Snohomish country.  But, next year I'm going to find a kid to go with me.  

PS:  When you go next year don't be discouraged by the huge line waiting for their turn to get in.  Some of those were, according to one organizer, coming back through for the 2nd or 3rd time after they caught their limit.  Crowd coordination is stellar, allowing everyone a safe and relax.

Many fishing teams at 2015
Monroe Kids' Fishing Day were not "fishermen"
(Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

 

Aspiring anglers waiting in line (on left) at
2015 Monroe Trout Unlimited Kids' Fishing Day.
(Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

"Whoaaaaa...lookit these!"
(Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

Volunteers cleaned fish for any kid who wanted it
(Photo (C)2015 Snohomish Country Photography)

SPRINGTIME PACK-GOAT MOZEY

"The Boyz" have been waiting since last fall to once again taste the lush green grass and fresh baby pine cones of the Black Hills forest.  We took and entire Saturday afternoon, trying to go slow enough to nibble something from every square foot in our path.  What a wonderful day to celebrate life in the best place on Earth. (Hope you enjoy the nifty little rompalong video below.  Just click on it.  Or, click on any photo to enlarge it.)

Our back yard

Gotta reach that itch....ooooohhhhh

"Hey, Lee.  You gettin' a shot of this?"

ANNUAL FALL MIGRATION -- 2011

SENIOR EXPLORERS HIKE 1200 FEET UP TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF BEAR BUTTE

Most of us know about Bear Butte, a stand-alone monolith towering 1,200 feet above the prairie just east of Sturgis. But did you know it was originally formed 2,000 feet underground?  On September 10 the Black Hills Explorers climbed high to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Photo (c) 2011 Lee Alley

The Butte, called Mato Paha (“Bear Mountain”) by the Sioux Indians, is so named for its resemblance to a reclining bear in eternal sleep resulting from combat injuries.  On this trip, the Explorers were joined by geology professor Alvis Lissenbee, who has studied the geology of the area extensively.  Lissenbee explained that around 50 million years ago, this entire area was covered by a lake bed 2,000 feet above the current prairie. Then, Dr. Lissenbee explained, molten magma (quartz monzonite) from far below was thrust upward into higher underground cavities.  That is the same extra-hard material of the boulders and needles around Mt. Rushmore.  However, the magma that formed what is now Bear Butte chilled more quickly, resulting in its highly fragmented small pieces.  Eventually the softer sandstone and shale over and around this mass has eroded, swept toward the Gulf of Mexico, leaving the Butte to stand 1,200 feet above its surroundings.  We were also joined by one of the park rangers who helped us appreciate the long-held deeply spiritual place of Bear Butte in Lacota culture.  There was an impressive display of items used in Lacota spiritual practices.

Like walking on tennis balls.

On this adventure the Explorers were made uncomfortably aware of the small talus rocks that formed the Butte, as they rolled and slid under underfoot.  The trip to the top was long, steep, hot, and sometimes precarious.  If one goes, it should be noted that some of the stairs are difficult to manage, and some in need of repair.  However, the reward for reaching the summit was a delightful 360-degree panorama of the entire Black Hills skyline, from Crow Peak west of Spearfish, to The Needles south of Harney Peak, plus the vastness of the surrounding prairie.

Some of many steps along the way.
(Sorry, Google's Blogger insists on us hiking sideways!)

On October 8 the Explorers will celebrate its first annual Fall Foliage Foto Tour, this year along the Horse Thief Lake Trail.  The purpose of the Black Hills Explorers is to explore new knowledge, activities and places in the Black Hills in order to better appreciate where we live.  The group normally meets the second Saturday of each month by 8:15AM at the Canyon Lake Center (but check each time, for occasional re-scheduling).   Sign up at least two days prior, in the Canyon Lake Center office.  Van seating is first-come/first-served for pre-signups.  For questionable weather, check the web site prior to leaving. 

More information about the Black Hills Explorers can be found at www.BlackHillsExplorers.org or by calling Lee Alley at 605.863.0806.  Any person of any age is invited to accompany the Black Hills Explorers’ activities, and encouraged to join the Canyon Lake Center.  Be sure to read the special Participation Guidelines for each trip when you sign up. 

What's in a name?  The first to summit:
Kathleen, Kathy, Cathy and Kathryn.
Too bad my wife, Kathryn wasn't able to come.

Well, hey.  Why not?  Google's software won't allow this upright either!
This is Dr. Alvis Lissenbee describing how the Black Hills were formed sideways.

The Black Hills Explorers

Thanks, Clint, for this GPS track of our route.

Playing a South Dakota stringed instrument by ear

Our new friend Dave stopped by during archery hunting season to give us private lessons in mastering his favorite stringed instrument, the hunting bow. Note Kate playing it "by ear."

Dave is a high-tech savvy hunter: fiber optic sights, light weight carbon fiber noise canceling bow, full-pull force relaxation, 12-second self-erecting blind, LED-lighted arrows so he can retrieve arrows after dark, after his hunting partners can get their shots off too. He is a natural teacher, too. But most of all, Dave is an expert on deer behavior.

For more information about Over-the-Hills Adventures in the Black Hills of South Dakota, please visit http://www.over-the-hills.com/ or call us at (605)863-0806.

-Lee