Fishy

If you've been wondering why I haven't updated the blog much lately, the answer is the bar exam. However, after a very long three days, I finished on Wednesday and have returned to the world of people who can be happy. In short, bar exam = real life dementors. My soul was sucked right out. But, since results don't come out for a while, August began my summer and I could not be more excited about it!

While I was in Montgomery, Jackson headed out with my brothers and dad for the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia for a fishing trip. They stayed at one of the West Coast Resort lodges called Englefield Bay. You can read more about the resort here.

The guys stayed in Vancouver the first night and all loved the city. Jackson thought it was beautiful! From this picture, I tend to agree.

From Vancouver they took a plane to a small airport where they jumped on a helicopter. This picture is from that plane.

The helicopter that took them to Englefield Bay.

When they got there, this is what they saw. I can't even imagine.

In this picture you can see the weighing station and all the boats that the guests take out. My family went out in twos each day and had a guide along. I can't even believe these tiny boats were rocking along in whale infested waters. I have intense fears about whales so I don't know that I could have handled it. Jackson said they saw some Orcas but they were pretty far away and you could just see a black something and whenever they would blow out their blow holes. 

The weighing station and gong you got to ring if you got a fish of a certain size (Jackson didn't fill me in on the specifics). Scott was the only one who got to ring the gong.

Just wow.

This is the lodge as seen from the helipad our front. The area consists of two barges. This one housed the guest rooms, dining hall, etc. The other had rooms where the staff stayed and where they processed all the fish. We now have a freezer full of fish filets.

Close up of a boat

One of the guides that the guys had was Haida so they got to hear all about his culture. This is a sign with daily information for the guests.

Every view is just stunning.

The lodge provided water proof waders and jackets for the guys to wear. They said they got really lucky with the weather and were mostly good with a long sleeve t-shirt. But they still put on the gear to keep dry in the 6 to 9 foot swells.

A boat coming in for the day.

Jackson was very taken with the bald eagles. They were everywhere because they knew they might get a snack if they hung around. The guides would toss back pieces so they would swoop down. 

Even though my Alabama fan husband took these, the Auburn girl in me can't help but think, "War Eagle!"

All the guys wound up catching a bunch of fish. Together they brought back around 240lbs. Here are a few of Jackson's

Carter and Scott coming in from fishing for the day.

Scott with his 30lb gong worthy spring salmon.

Hitting the gong! If anybody knows my competitive brother, he loved every minute of this!

Finally my husband made it in a picture! Here are all the guys: Carter, Dad, Scott, and Jackson. They all look like they are having fun!

The helicopter coming in to land on the helipad.

Jealousy

This is the view from the helicopter on the way out. Jackson took several pictures from the air. I seriously did not know what I was missing by having never been to Canada.

Last night they all made it to their next destination (home or Denver for Carter) safely. I'm so happy to have my husband home. However, it makes my heart happy that he has such a good time and good memories with my dad and brothers.