Labor Day Festivities

Welcome all, I understand that the Clans will all gather one more time at the Hole In The Wall to say farewell to the summer season. It will be great having all of you back in camp once again. Let's see, the interior of the Gazebo has been stained, however it does need a little touch up and the roof has not yet been completed, so it needs the first coat of stain. Firewood needs to be cut, stack and tarped. Could use a load of pea gravel to go around the fire pit. The fire pit needs to be stained the same color as the roof. The cook tent floor needs to be repaired from the damage caused when the Bull Buffalo tried to show us his tap dancing moves. Just kidding, all of these chores will be competed in time during September and early October as life slows down a bit. Nothing there that your hosts cannot do in a couple of days time. This last holiday weekend is devoted to fun, games, and just sitting around the fire pit.
However, no assembly of this many clan members can pass without the introduction of something new, exciting, competitive, entertaining and something everyone can enjoy. Consequently, with the authority vested to me by being the Exalted Grand Poopah, I hereby proclaim the following:

PROCLAMATION

Lifelong, visiting friends of the Eagle Clan has introduced a new game that will surely be enjoyed by all Clansmen, regardless of age, sexuality, or physical condition. They have not only introduced the game but have graciously donated said game to the HITW.

It is hereby resolved, that this game will henceforth be the official game of the Hole In the Wall Recreational Area.

Be It Further Resolved, although this game has various names, for our use it will be referred to as the Bedard Bola Ball Banger or BBBB.

Be It Further Resolved that the Plumma, being the Alpha Male of the Wolf Pack will be in charge of the maintenance, repair, and refinement of equipment associated with the game.

Be It Further Resolved, it is so Proclaimed that the 2006 HITW Championship of the BBBB will be conducted at the HITWRA BBBB Court commencing at 11:11 a.m. on Sunday, September 2nd, 2006. Rules of fair play to follow this proclamation.

Tournament Rules

The BBBB will not be revealed until 11:11 a.m., Sunday, September 2nd with a short introduction. Following the introduction each team will be allowed to practice a one full round at each target.

The Double Elimination match will commence at high noon at the HITW BBBB Court.

Seeding will be based on a random draw with the Bear Clan in Charge of the Seeding Chart and Score Keeping.

Pairings will consist of the adult female and male member of the Clan. Double Elimination will continue until One Clan is determined to be the Champions of the BBBB Tournament.

Immediately following the Championship Round, the Male and Female Member of the Championship Team will play one round of Singles BBBB to determine the Individual BBBB Champion.

Following the Adult Division, the Younger Clan members will team up and hold a similar competition to determine the Team Championship and Individual Championship. Substitutes are acceptable in the Junior Division in the event the Clan does not have two juveniles in their Clan or they are not available for play. Only those Clan Members under the age of 14 are allowed in the Junior Division. Clan members over 14 years of age will be in the Senior Division with partnerships arranged.

Prizes Galore Which Will Be Awarded on a Random Drawing Basis Of Those Players Participating In the 1st Annual BBBB Tournament.

Dick and Pat Bedard will be our honored guests and will be participating in the BBBB Tournament.

Be Ready For a Great Time

The Future of the Hole

A glimpse here of the future given the current rate of improvement to the Hole in the Wall campground. The flag still flies over the hill but as you see a roller coaster has been added to speed you around for giggles. A big leap from that old zip line of yesteryear. RangerBill was adopted into the Buffalo clan and posted a fancy sign over his digs. The gazebo was added onto and onto and onto till it looked like this.

The Future of the Hole

New Record Set

With the HITW having full time residents, a new fire pit Gazebo and cloudy weather, the need for firewood has dramatically increased. Two loads of wood have went up in smoke to date and with dwindling supplies, it was determined that immediate action was required. I made one load by myself which lasted a few days but on Friday, it was determined additional firewood would be required. The Eagle Clan made the first load, which was an adequate load but the supply yard seemed to have a run on long trees, with most pieces exceeding twenty feet and difficult to haul in a eight foot bed truck, especially when the tail gate does not open. On the second load, the Eagle Clan was better prepared and with the use of the chain saw, bucked up the longer pieces into eight foot lengths which would settle nicely within the confines of the truck bed. Once this load was level with the tail gate, the additional longer pieces were added to the stack until the load extended to the height of the canopy. It was then determined that even longer pieces could be laid on top of the canopy and lashed down for the short haul to the HITW. The wood picking was so good, we did not want to give up so we cut shorter lengths and by rolling down the passenger window was able to get some great "kindling" protruding from the cab, although there was no sitting room for Lady Eagle. Six planks were used on the snow plow blade to form a flat surface on which the chain saw was lashed down for transportation back to the HITW. Being that it was just a two mile haul, Lady Eagle chose the option of walking home instead of riding the platform on the plow blade. It would have made a great picture, however, someone forgot the camera. Upon arriving back at HITW, as witnessed by the Cow Buffie and Papa Bear, it was agreed that it was the largest single load of firewood ever delivered to the HITW, compliments of the Eagle Clan. Today, we buck it up!
Update, between July 14th and August 22nd, a total of 215 (5.5 fish per day) Silver Salmon passed through the Anchor River weir. Finally, from the rains received during the week, the river came up a couple of inches with just slight tint in color. On August 23rd, a total of 2,021 Silver Salmon made the dash through the weir - Papa Bear and the Grand Eagle, just happened to be at the bridge hole on the morning of the 24th as the migration continued - can you spell, Fantastic Fishing!? Numbers have not been released on the count for the 24th but it should exceed the previous day. Oh, I failed to mention that I was once again honored with a very nice Steelhead, in the 12 - 14 pound range - it was a nice fish. That is #3 for the season and the run has not even commenced! Do they get Steelhead in Ship Creek, Cambell Creek or Bird Creek? That is all!

Where Has The Summer Gone

All though the dog days of August is upon us, we still have guests in the HITW. Despite that it has rained steady for the past week, the Buffalo Clan has held tough with an occasional nightly visit from Papa Bear.
Although not completely finished, (roof needs painting) the new addition to the campground is a great improvement. I think we have passed the fire test, if we watch our fire but have discovered that rain gutters will also be a benefit so that will be a one day spring project. Perhaps with an attached cistern or holding tank to take advantage of the run off for dish washing or using in the hot tub. We could run a line down from the gutters to a coiled system in the bottom of the fire pit with an outlet, then we could have hot running water!
Silver Salmon fishing remains slow, although we have been picking up some limit catches out of our Honey Hole. By now, everyone has no doubt heard about the axle being ripped out of the Bear Truck after the Moose, Buffalo Calf and Papa Bear discovered the Old Wise Eagle had snuck away from them and picked up a limit of Silver Salmon under the bridge while they were running up and down the tidal zone at 11 a.m. in the morning. I think the Wolf Pack had a similar situation when one of the Wolf Pups wanted to go up and fish next to that "old man", not knowing it was the Grand Old Eagle. Young'ums are so easily fooled!
As we speak, I have a batch of flavored salmon in the smoke house. One flavor has been marinated in Lemon / Black Pepper Sauce, a second was marinated in Mesquite Sauce and the third is a Steak / Chop Marinating sauce. Papa Bear recently did one in a Hot Wings marinating sauce, it was very good - almost reminded me the time that I was in the South Pacific and had a batch of Smoked Flying Fish. That is all!
P.S. Ranger Bill called tonight, he had the hammer down in Gallup, New Mexico hoping to make it to Beaver before his hours ran out. He sounded very happy, he was whistling the song, "Six Days on the Road and I will be in Beaver tonight".

Tournament History

The Third Annual Vern Harrington Memorial Silver Salmon Derby is now into the history books. The Silver Salmon fisheries were a little tough on the Anchor River during the 36 hour marathon derby. At one time, the Wolf Clan, Bear Clan, Eagle Clan and a un-documented clan were fishing the same spot in hopes of taking that big derby winner. The Grand Poopah set the trend early in the morning by catching and releasing his second Steelhead Trout of the season, a nice example of the specie, most likely weighing in the 12 to 15 pound range. The only Silver Salmon taken in this initial push in the derby was landed by Papa Bear. Despite the slower than normal fishing, the Wolf Clan and Eagle Clan dedicated themselves to the task and fished right up to the expiration time of the tournament which was at noon on Sunday. This years winner, a second time he has won the Tournament was Daddy Bear with a small specimen of the specie. Being that it was Sunday, the Post Office was not open so we could weigh the fish, we could find no other scales in the area that would measure the weight is such small increments, we thought perhaps a postage scale may give us an accurate reading. Daddy Bear consented that instead of going by weight, he would settle for a measurement. the winner Silver Salmon measured in at 18.5 inches with an estimated weight of less than two pounds which is about a half pound larger than the fish in which he won the 1st Annual Derby so at a minimum he has set a record for having the smallest two winners in the Tournament, unlike that big 15.5 pounder that took the derby last year. As a side bar, the Silvers have moved into the river in better numbers, fished this evening, four fish on the tide back out with one buck that was pushing if not exceeding the 13 pound mark.

Out of Contact

Sorry, that I have not been keeping you informed on the progress at the HITW or the weather results of my Doppler Radar site, but I have been trying to take advantage of the beautiful weather and complete construction, so I have been burning up some hours. I would be on schedule, however, I decided to add a second story on the Gazebo. I thought the concept would be good, it will make a good watch tower for Ranger Bill to sit and watch for "Blue Duck", you never know when he will come riding in.
Silver fishing is slow, fish have just started to show up so the Derby is going to be interesting, those who are good should find success - for the rest of you - well I will share! Daddy Bear fished yesterday morning, took a nice "Silver" at the Bridge Hole - upon a closer examination it was a fine "Red Salmon" so there goes the theory that Red Salmon will not bite, especially on a good, gooey gob of salmon eggs. Needless to say, he made the sport fishing report. Speaking of that, time to call in and go back to work.

Where oh where has every one gone.

Sometime Friday evening it is planned that I will pull into my wallow with three of the buffie babies. I believe part of the Pecker Clan will be coming down that day too...something about a fair...and pizza cooks...extra cash...me I am coming for the peace and quiet! My plans are to remain in my wallow until the weekend of the 27...but depending on the health of my father in law...this could change. Pops I need a hole dug...not too wide but two to three feet deep....somewhere near the Duck House I think. A post will be put in this hole so put it in a place out of the drive way...on it...a surprise for Butch and Sundance. It will match the decor already...so do not panic. If mom gets bored she could fill my water tank for me...he he...I can not wait to get there...

Concept Works

The new Doppler site worked well today, showed me the rain coming our way and sure enough, it showed up right on schedule, unfortunately enough that it curtailed using any sort of power tools outside including my cordless screwdriver. However, even with the heavy rain at times, just the paper on the roof of the Fire Pit kept everything nice and dry, it was the only 12' x 12' piece of dry ground in the HITW. One fourth of the roof is now lap (not lop) sided, a time taking project since each board has to be cut at a 42 degree angle on each end and beveled at 45 degrees at the joints. Looks good, would have looked much better with a steeper pitched roof, but lesson learned. If the plans for a clan gathering materializes on August 11th and 12th, it should be finished with the exception of applying the stain! However, I have always maintained that a family that "stains" together stays together. By the way, that is not a "link", it is the color of stain we are using!