Dip Netting on the Kenai this year was an experience of abundance. From the bounty of fish, to the exaggerated sunshine, to the thousands of people and hundreds of boats.

It's days like this when I cannot imagine living anywhere else in the world. 

The fishing was hot. We caught our limit in a little over three hours, and most fishing poles bowed towards the water, tense in imminent reception. For us, supplication was answered and we left the Kenai with gratitude, sun burn, subsistence, and fish. 

Rainbow Peak was a hike of surprises. The trail starts out in a canopy-covered river walk. It was easy to imagine myself somewhere other than Alaska. The jungle of a forest was constructed of tenacious branches reaching for the sun from every direction. 

For the final push, Jason and I took a game trail (by mistake) around the rocky peaks. 

Once we realized our path was better suited for sheep than for humans and dogs, we decided to climb up the vertical rocks, where we were reunited with the trail. 

Though, at this point, our hike had officially morphed into a rock climbing adventure. 

I was surprised by the variety of terrain and the adventure that it led to. Watching the tide come in as we climbed and the clouds billow over the peaks, we were witness to Alaska's summer in full motion.  Starting at 6pm the ocean began its metamorphosis from river rapid currents--brown with sediment--into a sapphire sea at 9:30. For the whole evening, turnagian arm brewed a slurry of eddies evoking satellite storm images as ominous clouds ballooned over Rainbow peak. As a final note, in the car ride home, we saw a rainbow as we looked at the back side of Turnagain Arm from North Anchorage. Awesome.

I may, or may not, have done some yoga on the 18th...

Laura, Shane, Jason, and Tiffany helped us with Adam's first batch of sous vide baby back ribs last weekend. We had to test the ribs before summer solstice. We will be making two kinds; one with regular barbecue sauce and one with our tequilla glaze. 

Adam and I went to the Vogel's for the evening. It was so hot and beautiful. The first fire of the summer was fantastic, and Laura sautéed fiddle head fern for all of us to try. It tasted a little like broccoli and asparagus combined. 

Today was the first day of summer that I spent with Mom and Dad. We replanted pots and enjoyed the amazing greenhouse in all its glory. 

We were super lucky to share our Memorial Day with Joe, Heather, and Ben. Together, we cooked an eclectic variety of amazing food. Joe cooked a 5-spice venison tenderloin; the best venison I have ever had. Heather made a spaghetti squash curry that was to die for. Adam grilled up some halibut cheeks that had spent the day soaking in a lemon pepper marinade. Ben rolled up some smoked salmon and grilled asparagus sushi. I whipped up broccoli ginger wontons from a book my mom got me in Monterey Bay last year. We ate everything as it was ready, finger food style. I won't forget this for a long time. Thanks Ben, Heather, and Joe!