Dipnetting 2007

This summer we were all able to finally go dipnetting after trying for the past several years. One thing or another had come up in the past (usually work for Tyson) and we hadn't been able to make it. But we went this past year. Got way more fish than we needed, so if you want some, just ask, I'm sure we have plenty to spare! We went to one place first that Dad had heard about, and it was perfect. Sunny, not too windy. Soft sand. Not too crowded. The kids were able to dipnet along with everyone else. But....no fish. Shortly after we got there, we noticed lots of boats heading out and setting nets, so we figured we weren't going to get much. So instead of setting up camp, we headed over to the "usual" spot, and set up camp there. Much more crowded. Kids playing on 4 wheelers all night long and close to our tents. Colder. But, fish at the right time. So at about 4 AM Tyson, Dad, and Shawn all headed out to see if they could bring in more fish than any of them really wanted to take home and eat! So when the rest of us woke up, they were about done fishing, and ready to start cleaning them. We fed the kids breakfast and then rode the 4 wheelers down to the beach to "help." I mostly made trips back and forth for items that were at our campsite to those at the waters edge cleaning the fish.

As you can see, they did a pretty thourough job cleaning fish. Tyson let the kids hold the eyes and whatever that is that Rachel is holding. I tried to put a picture of Keith holding some fish innards, but I guess I had exceeded my space by then. Just know that he got his hands dirty too! Anyway, after getting all the fish cleaned and packed up, we headed across the way to Seward to vacuum pack the fish at the military facilities there, because Shawn and Becca love us! After that, we headed home. It was a long weekend, but the kids did pretty well. They loved playing on the beach and in the sand. And on the playground while everyone else (except me because I had to watch them) processed the fish. A lot of driving for the weekend, but memories were made and these pictures prove it!

PS- I know some of the pictures are from awhile ago, but now that I am able to look at them, since my computer was recovered, I thought I would share some. I only have the ones from April of this past year on. All the ones before that were irrecoverable. So let me remind everyone, back up your pictures! Don't just put them on an external hard drive while organizing them expecting to have a copy in both places when you are done! You never know when technology will fail you! I have learned my lesson! Twice! I plan on using discs as a means of backing up, just have to figure out how to do that! I am not that computer literate when it comes to some things. New technological things scare me! Especially when there are lots of steps! But never fear, I will conquer!