It is unseasonably warm here in Anchorage. Some of the lower peaks in the Chugach are essentially bare and the forest trails are still quite hikable with just boots. There's only about 3 inches of residual snow in the yard, and that is crusty and icy. I am expecting the weather to turn soon, but for now, our winter is very mild. Even up on the slope, the weather has not been as rough as usual. I am fairly convinced our weather undulates with the solar cycle. We've had a lot of solar activity in the past couple months, and I think that is having an effect.

Gonna head back up to the bulk foods store and get another couple bags of legumes today. With meat prices as high as they are, it is past time to get some moose and salmon in the jars. Since I missed my opportunity for it last year, I am working in earnest to make sure this year is a success. As with all things, it is all about networking to find the best value for money hunts and fishing ops I can. I will have a spring black bear hunt for sure in May, and a good chance to get on a moose this fall.

So that just leaves the salmon fishing. With 3 weeks off at a whack, I can borrow a boat and hit the rivers when the runs come, and try and make the most of the season. I am hoping to get at least 100 pints of moose and salmon in the pantry, as well as filling the freezer and replacing all the ham and sausage I have with good quality natural meat. We scored 40 lbs of ham at the grocery store on Thursday at 99 cents a pound. Up here that is a darned good price for quality ham. It is bone in butt, normally priced at $3.99 a pound, so we paid 1/4 the price. Ham is not a premium meat choice, but it does make a big difference in my legume pots (peas, navy beans, black-eyed peas, etc). Using it mostly for flavor, It also works ok for a jerky, though not in my top five. Dehydrating it and putting it through the molca-jete renders it as a fairly shelf stable meat product to use for casseroles and breakfast dishes.

Anyways, one week down, two to go before heading back to work. God I love this routine.