Alaska Sporting Clays Championship Pictures

My trip to the Alaska State Sporting Clays Championship started 10 months ago when I booked my ticket. Easy trip, I'd just fly up to Anchorage on Thursday, shoot Friday, Saturday & Sunday, fish Monday & Tuesday, and fly home on Wednesday (or so I thought). The first change to my plans came when I found out I had to work that last day (Wednesday), so I changed my ticket ($75).

Then I learned that Birchwood Shooting Park (just outside of Anchorage and on the way to Wasilla) holds their weekly tournaments on Wednesday nights, so I thought "what the heck" and I changed my ticket again (to fly up one day earlier, another $75).

Everything was going according to plan until two days before my flight when I got an email from my friend Billy Bats (the dentist not the mobster. Is it safe? Is......it......safe?)

He said that Birchwood had changed this week's tournament to Tuesday night (which did me no good). I called them and asked if I could just shoot a round with some friends on Wednesday night, but the helpful young lady on the phone said they were going to be closed, but she'd check.

Three hours later I had my answer, "yes they would let us shoot". That's how it is in Alaska, everybody is friendly and helpful. I always say that if you take an Alaskan cruise you miss the best part of Alaska, the people.

I got to Anchorage in the afternoon, and stopped at our corporate office to have lunch with the guys (at Arctic Roadrunner on Old Seward Hwy, and yes, that counts as a work day). Great burgers if you get a chance.

Lush doesn't begin to describe the forests in Alaska, and Birchwood is no different. I shot with Bill and his self described "geezer" friends. Afterwards they "made me" go out for pizza and beer with them, and it was great

As I left I noticed a "different" smell in the air, but didn't pay too much attention to it. When I got to Chugiak I noticed it a little more, but by the time I passed Eklutna it was even stronger. After I crossed the Knik River into Alaska (see, Alaskans always say that Anchorage isn't in Alaska, but you can see it from there) it was unmistakable and I pulled over.

I stood there for a few minutes looking at the majestic mountains, the raging Knik River, and I realized it was the SMELL OF FREEDOM.

Well, I'm fishing the Little Su tomorrow with "my friend Sarah", but here's what I've shot so far. Enjoy.

(and yes, the last two are of my cabin at 10pm)