Hey, the last few days have been a blur. We spent the afternoon on the last field day out of Aniak fishing and lounging along the virtually inaccessible (except by helicopter) Kipchuck River. Built a fire and cooked a king salmon over it for lunch. The next night, Steve L, the owner of the "hotel" we're staying at, had our crew over for steaks, halibut, horseshoes, and one hundred cans of Budwieser and Miller Lite in an ice chest. It was awesome. The real kicker was when 56 year old Steve P. came over. He was already hammered when he showed up with an unopened bottle of Crown Royal. By the end of the night, he was drooling all over his chin, couldn't speak properly, and was giving people the "evil eye." He eventually passed out in Steve L's backyard. Oh, I forgot to mention he was also the fixed wing pilot who was going to take half our crew and gear up to the Baird Mountains the next day. The other kicker was he had to be in Anchorage by six the next day for a physical with one of only a couple of doctors who are willing to clear him to fly. I guess he has poor vision and hearing. Absolutely hilarious. Welcome to the bush.

Anyway, the Brooks Range is amazing and incredible. I love it. I also saw my first Dall Sheep yesterday, which was cool (they are close cousins to Bighorn sheep).

ed



ps, i miss you mikey