Whidbey Island

We left Anacortes on Thursday and headed to Whidbey Island across Deception Pass to visit our new friends Tom and Janice Punch. They have a few acres with pond and we just had a wonderful time visiting with them. This view is from the "bog" area on the back of their property toward the house. You can see the mh parked there. The ducks are on the pond swimming around in the foreground.

We parked next to their shed area and had a great view of the pond every morning.

The ducks from next door liked to come over each day and swim around. Janice is a prolific gardener and has lots of beautiful plants and a wonderful mulched path around the pond in the wooded area. It is just like camping in TN!!

This picture is of the Olympic mountain range across the sound. There is lots of driftwood but you can't take any with you -- it's the law!! I know my friend Cheryl would have loved to get a truckload of this stuff.

We went to the town of Langley on Saturday for sightseeing and wine tasting.

We had a beautiful sunny day and the temps were in the high 60's. Just perfect.

Tom, Janice and I are enjoying the scenery here. Terry and Tom wait on a bench while Janice and I shop. Not much shopping for me, just looking.

Above is a driftwood sculpture of salmon and I thought was very interesting. Just one of the many things to see in this seaside town.

The boys are waiting patiently here for us as we stroll around.

The girls had choice on wines to taste. It was very hard to choose.

It was a great trip to the northwest and we are definitely going to go back. You don't find friends like these everywhere you know!

Well, glad I got a chance to get these pictures out there so now my camera is ready for more adventures.

Sandy

Trip to Anacortes

We arrived in Anacortes on the 17th to visit our friend Pete and Linda Harbers (Beaver owners and rv'ers). The club they belong to has property on the water with 3 rv spots. This was our view and no one else was camping there. It was really a nice place. There is a park adjacent to this property so deer regularly visit the property.

The deer below wandered thru right next to the coach and the cats kept their eyes on him as he walked by.

Sunday there was a market and car show in downtown Anacortes and Terry in particular liked this Z06 - Atomic Orange. He also liked the license plate. They had some great cars and he got the owner of the 57 chevy to crank it up!! What a trip.

It was a beautiful car and paint job and what a sound!!

It had 450 horse power with some kind of boost to give it another 100 hp!! Wanna drag???

Next we took a drive along the island and went across Deception Pass (the only bridge to Whidbey Island which is the largest island in the San Juans). There are actually two bridges and this is just a shot of the second bridge. Yes, this is the bridge we crossed in the motorhome going to visit our friends that live on Whidbey Island, Tom and Janice Punch.

The next day we took a trip in Pete and Linda's 48' cruiser to Friday Harbor which is located on San Juan Island. It's about a 2 hr. boat ride from Anacortes. Along the way the guys had to stop to fish and try to catch some ling cod. The cod had a lenght limit of minimum 26" to around 40". Pete caught the first cod, but it was not big enough to keep. The next four fish were rock fish and the limit is one per person so we kept those and then headed on to Friday harbor for the night. We slept on the boat. There are three cabins and also plenty of sleeping space in the living room and helm. It is a very beautiful boat. They carry a small dingy on top so while the boys were paying for our moorage, Linda got the dingy down so we could go for a ride.

Above is a picture of one of Terry's rock fish.

Terry had to go out in the dingy too for a spin. Later that evening Pete and Terry went fishing in the dingy while Linda and I chilled!!

This is a picture of their boat "Harber lights" spelled like their name. Linda is on the back deck. We were getting ready to go for our spin before the boys got back from paying.

The next day we headed back and Terry went up top where the dingy is stored for traveling, and took this picture looking back. Then they stopped by the spot they fished the day before and of course Terry got his lure hung on the bottom and was reeling down to get some leverage to get it unhung and over the side of the boat he went head first. All Pete saw was legs and feet and then yelled "Man Overboard". Of course, then the action started and he came up out of the water bleeding and wanting us to save his new hat!!

Pete and Linda got him quickly into the boat, got him undressed, dried off with dry clothes, and hurried back to Anacortes. At this point we were only about 5 miles from shore. Of course, I was seasick so not much help and all the excitement just made me feel worst.

Then we had the trip to the hospital for stitches. First thing the doctor turned over the tray and had to start fresh.He had 5 stitches and will now have a war wound to brag about. I just know our friends are going to love this story so couldn't wait to get it posted. He really had a nice shinner for the next 4 to 5 days. Today he is getting his stitches out.

He is a pretty sight, isn't he??

I told him I was going to take credit for this shinner. I think it was a iron skillet to the head!!

Anyway he lost his glasses (again) and his phone was drowned. He can pick up his messages from my phone and he is hoping the phone will dry out enough to work again.

We'll see.

Well, until later. I have to download more pictures of our trip to Whidbey Island and hope to get that posted soon.

Linda and me going for our dingy ride!! Very fun.


Sandy

New boat

Not much to say but this is the colors and style boat. This is a 2008 FLW package so we hope to have the FLW package which gives us the added stripe in the seats. Our boat will be a 2009 but should be basically the same boat, Ranger Z520. Right now Terry has to do without a boat but I guess he can handle it since he is getting a brand new Ranger soon.

Nothing else to say but here are more pictures.

Sandy

Day Three Western Divisional

Day three was a great success. The Oregon Team was behind Idaho at the end of day #2 by 66 lbs which seemed impossible to close the gap and win. The team has a great day of fishing and actually pulled within 13 lbs. by the end of the day to take second overall. John Stuart was interviewing Terry at the end of the day and mentioned that Terry was the guy that took him fishing at the Western Divisional in Hermiston and had him use a spinning reel to catch fish. That was the first time John had caught a bass using spinning equipment.

All of the team had their team shirts on for the day three weigh in except Terry. He had to put his on at the last minute, of course.

A team picture was taken of the 13 guys from left to right, Don, Terry, Ron, Howard, Mike K., John, Kelly, Paul, Cody, Jim, Dan, and kneeling, winner Mike B., and Reno. It was a beautiful hot day and very sunny. What a change from the cold weather they had the first part of the tournament and practice.

The trophy presentation was great and each of the guys have a trohy to show as well as a winning check to share of $12,000. A great success and great teamwork from the one of the best Oregon State teams ever.

Congratulations to all the guys for the support and effort extended for the team.

Mike Baskett was the overall tournament winner and will be representing Oregon at the National tournament. Go Mike!!

Mike attended the Classic last year by winning the National tournament so we wish him all the best and for him to catch really big fish!!

The next day we left Coeur d'Alene and had to stop by Spokane Valley Marine to leave our blue boat. The picture below is of the boat, Don and Evette Hollis and Terry. The new boat will be picked up sometime this summer from the factory in Flippin, Arkansas.

Sandy

Tournament Day Two

Hello, again from Coeur d'Alene. The water is rising again today about a foot. The snow melt is coming down and it is going to be very warm today in the 80's. The river is flowing very fast and the geese are getting behind the floating logs to get in slow water. When we got here the logs were on shore so you can see how much the water has come up since the 5th. This is the dock area at our campground and they haven't put their docks in for the summer yet because the flow is too fast and will probably be this fast until mid June.

Day two was bright and sunny and Terry was the first boater back in. He was boat #3 today so got to get to his spot first. He was first in line (below) to weigh fish and had some nice fish to show.

The rest of the team didn't fair as well today nor did the field. It was a difficult bite and some of the top guys fell behind. Yesterday they had 10 bags over 20 lbs. but today only one 20 lb. bag came in.

Of course, Terry lost some good fish and would have had a 20 lb bag but couldn't get them in the boat. His non-boater was trying to lip one of Terry's 4 lb fish and lost it at the boat!! Oh well, that's fishing. He is 44th out Friday so hopefully he can get to his spot and get some fish early. He weighed 13 lbs. 11 oz today so has 21 lb 15 oz for the tournament. The leader is from Oregon with 40 plus pounds but is only 11 oz ahead of the next guy.

Weigh in starts at 2 pm and can be seen on the web at espn.com. Oregon is still in second place for the team we want them to hold on to that position. Montana is only about 28 lbs. behind starting today. Wish them luck and we'll get results posted when we can. Not sure if we will have internet in Anacortes and we head over there on Saturday.

Until later. Sandy

Divisional Day One in Idaho

Well, we finally got to Coeur d'Alene for the Western Divisional Bass tournament. On Sunday all of the team members had arrived so we had a welcome bbq for all of them plus wives and parents. Mike King provided the meat and the Oregon Bass Federation provided the rest of the food. Evette and I did our shopping at Costco and Safeway for the salad, beer and water. Evette provided baked beans, Mike King provided chili and I made a cake.




The room was paid for by the OR Bass Federation and was located at our campground Blackwell Island RV Park. It had all the things to put on the meal. After eating the guys sat around and worked on their strategy and shared their fishing facts with the rest of the team.

The prefishing was Sunday thru Tuesday and then on Wednesday the real tournament started. Lots of the guys were going to the place the locals call "the zoo" which is pictured below with the boat running thru. It is located at the south end of Coeur d'Alene lake up the St. Joe River toward St. Maries. It is a very long run from the launch ramp on the northeast side of the lake, approx 45 miles.

Another good fishing place is Harrison Bay (above) which is about 25 miles from the launch. Also from Harrision Bay is the Coeur d'Alene River which has the "Chain Lakes" and lots of guys were having success up in these lakes. Some of these lakes are up river 10 miles which just adds to the time and gas to get to these spots.

Weigh in was at Higgins Point the same place they launched from and it was very hectic. They had to do a drive thru weigh in since the facility didn't have the room to put up the trailer and tent close to the ramp.

Kelly Vineyard weighed in 10 lbs. 1 oz on day one and as you can see was having a good time. At this point Oregon was in first place in the team competition and three of our anglers are in the top ten for individual weights, Mike Baskett, Jim Muck, and Dan Jordan.

Mike King to the right is one of the Oregon team's co'anglers (non-boater).

Another good picture of some team members, Reno P., John B., and Howard P. They are waiting for the final results at this point to see if we can maintain our #1 status. (We are in 2nd place at the end of day one behind Idaho.)






Terry is coming off of the water in the final flight which arrived at 2:40 pm. His partner J.D. Wood from Montana, both had fish with Terry getting 5 fish (limit) and JD having 4 fish, but he did have the biggest fish in the boat.

There are only two lanes to launch and load the boats so it was very hectic trying to get everyone off of the water and to weigh in.

Terry and his partner JD Wood. JD has been fishing since 12 yrs old and is deaf. Terry said that had a great day and with sign and motion language didn't have any problems getting around the lake and finding fish.

Don Hollis weighing in his fish on day one

Terry yakking to John Stewart and of course he had a great day. As you can see he had 8 lbs. 4 oz. so maybe today he can get a bigger limit. That's it for today and will post more as the tournament progresses. Today he was going to the zoo to fish so had to run a very long way and it was very foggy today. But the weather should warm up today and be in the 70's. Hopefully high 70's tomorrow.

Sandy

We are on the move again!

This was leaving day and look what we got!! Well, we did get out of there and went into Bend to get some work taken care of that wasn't fixed already. We had everything washed and shining and then had to drive in this stuff!!

We got out of Bend around 11 am and headed to the Columbia River and Terry's fishing buddy's house in Irrigon, Don and Evette Hollis. Great people and great hospitality.

We camped out at his house (picture below) for 3 days and then got on the road to Coeur d'Alene on Sunday. It was a very nice drive and great weather.

We will be seeing Don and Evette here in Coeur d'Alene on Friday. We have had good weather until today and it is raining. Terry is out fishing and hopefully he will find some big ones for this tournament coming up next week.

I'll get some pictures hopefully. We are in a large campground on the lake and very few campers are here. It's pretty nice to have the place to ourselves.

Just wanted to update you on our travels. I'll post more later. Sandy