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)

SENIOR EXPLORERS CHECK OUT CATHEDRAL ROCKS

On May 12, 2012 the Black Hills Explorers were back in action.  This time visiting the cathedral-like spires of the Custer State Park near Mt. Rushmore and Sylvan Lake.  It was a beautiful day, an inspiring geologic environment, and a very rewarding outdoor exercise.

Our hike was made even more enjoyable by the exercise-savvy duo of JoAnn and John Sterner, co-directors of the new canyon lake health and fitness center in Rapid City.  At the trailhead both JoAnn and John led our eager crew in a 5-minute pre-hike flexibility workout.  Most of us agreed during the hike and upon returning from the strenuous trek expressed the opinion that the pre-hike warmup certainly did improve the overall experience (and ourselves!).

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?"

SENIOR EXPLORERS FIND GOLD AT SILVER CITY

Golden wintry scenery, that is.  On December 10, thirteen Black Hills Explorers went in search of outdoor adventure on Deer Creek Trail near Silver City.  What they found was a bitterly cold trail with a silver lining that evolved as the day went on, to a toasty golden sunny landscape that was seasonally decorated with beautiful ice formations of all shapes and sizes along Rapid Creek.

The trek crisscrossed six impressive heavy-timber pedestrian bridges, and passed between deep, vertical canyon walls of rock warmed by the direct rays from a low winter sun.

The entire trail is on an old railway bed, with smooth surface and gradual slope.  However, that did not prevent having to deal with slippery footing on ice and snow.  As part of the day’s adventure, trip leader Lee Alley provided a short seminar on how to select and use snow shoes on various trail conditions such as found that day.

To learn of next month’s program, see the Black Hills Explorers’ web site, www.BlackHillsExplorers.org or call group leader Lee Alley at 605.863.0806.  To receive activity announcements, and to get last minute alerts on travel changes, send your email address to Lee@LeeAlleyRealEstate.com. 

We Found a Golden Winter's Day Near Silver City

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. Be sure to read the special Participation Guidelines for each trip when you sign up. 

SENIOR EXPLORERS ENJOY FALL FOLIAGE FOTO FLING

The fall season’s first chill was in the air on October 8 and autumn leaves were abundant on the trees.  It was time for the Black Hills Explorers’ (First) Annual Fall Foliage Photo Fling.  And few places better to find colorful outdoor scenery than Horse Thief Trail, from the lake of same name to Mt. Rushmore. 

Horse Thief Trail is a short three-mile route deep in the forest, mostly in ravines and draws with trickling brooks, and surrounded by towering granite pinnacles.  But mostly, the Explorers were on this particular route on this day, in search of the yellows, oranges and reds of fluttering fall leaves.  And they weren’t disappointed.  For three delightful hours the club strolled among the flashing rainbow colored leaves, while protected from the chill wind by giant grey granite monoliths.

Vern Thorstensen, Bev Schlosser, Stan __, Cathy Schofield, Gigi Kern, Jim Kern

A photographer's dreamscape

Jim and Gigi Kern stirring up leaves

What's a hike without a quaint bridge?

and a beautiful mountain brook?

Cathy Schofield scouting a meadow

kinnickinnic

"Kinnickinnic"?   These berries were prolific.  They are quite tastey, but with a strange texture.  Vern Thorstenson seemed to know all about them.  

Photo by Bev Schlosser

A LATE-JULY FOREST MOZEY

The goats and I were kinda bummed-lonesome with Jane gone so we decided to cheer ourselves up with a walk in the woods and to high places.  It worked.  It sure cheers things up to wander around nibbling on Mother Nature's grass and Grandma Jane's sausage biscuits.

Custer with Bear Butte in Background

Saving the Good Stuff for Later

SENIOR EXPLORERS REACH HIGHEST SUMMIT EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

Four generations of enthusiastic men, women and children embarked on a Black Hills Explorers adventure to the summit of Harney Peak on July 9.  After hiking some of the members went fishing in Sylvan Lake, others went swimming at the Sylvan Lake beach, and others rested in the shade on the lush lawn at the shore.

The seven-mile round trip hike with 1,100-foot elevation gain reaches the old CCC fire watch tower.  In 1855 the 7,242-foot mountain, highest point east of the Rocky Mountains, was named for General William Selby Harney.  The tower was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 then de-activated in 1967.  On the day of this hike, clear skies and cool breezes provided an impressive 360 degree unobstructed panorama of the entire Black Hills, plus parts of four states.

The Black Hills Explorers group normally meets the second Saturday of each month at 8:15 at the Canyon Lake Center (but check each time, for occasional re-scheduling).   Advance signups are in the office.  On August 13 from 8:30 – 11:30 (during the Rally and typically one of the hottest weeks of the year), the group will meet in the Canyon Lake Center for a digital photography workshop.  This learning-adventure will help Explorers learn how to take better outdoor photo’s, edit (improve) photos on a PC, then store and email the photos to friends and family.  Participants may bring a digital camera.

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.  Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Explorers en route to the Harney Peak Fire Tower (in background)

 Jim and Gigi Kern almost to the top with The Needles in the background

April Malik with her daughters Alysala, Aisha, Aleeya, Aisulu, Asea

Sylvan Lake and Beach