Six Kids on Da Plane

Helloooooo Dakotans!  Thank you for your hospitality!

Day 1:

What a blessed opportunity to be able to fly the entire family to North Dakota on Wednesday, June 4th.  Since we're from Sacramento, it costs $100 less per ticket to fly out of San Francisco and that's a total of eight tickets when you count JU and Mrs. M.  I learned from coworkers that it's best to book a hotel that provided free shuttles to the airport and included parking for the entire week.  Thus, we did that.  After the fact, I realized that I received advise from people who do not travel in a group of eight :-)  Bless their hearts.  Thus, when it comes to sleeping, eight people on two queen-size beds was an obstacle.  However, when we awoke the following day, we did help ourselves to a continental breakfast that came with the package.  Also, the shuttle works like a charm in getting us to the airport within 15 minutes.

For the four younger children, this is their first plane ride.  Of course the youngest, Ms. TwinkleStar, has to seat next to the window.  In the air, the sky is beautiful, the view is spectacular....  that is if you don't sit in the same row as Ms. T., who decided that it was too sunny and insisted that the shade be closed for the entire duration of the flight :-(

Don't move or you will fall off the bed.

Here's looking at you.

I see you.

Watch out, Dakotas, here we come....

No such thing as a direct flight, a stop in Denver must be made.

Another family shot, closeup.

Family shot with the plane model in the background

This is an actual sign at the Denver airport!

Are we there yet?

Now, are we there yet?

So finally, we touched down in Bismarck, ND.  We rented a 2014 Suburban that can accommodate eight passengers.  The draw back was that we got ten miles to a gallon of gas !?!??

First stop?  How about Scheels?  Otherwise, this wouldn't be a fishing blog :-)

Last one there is a...?

Fact: No Scheels in California yet.

Yup.

Howdy.

Hello.

Wait, was I supposed to raise up my other left leg?

Concrete Ship @ Seacliff State Beach

I shared with you all about our phenomenal fishing trip at the concrete ship pier during the Memorial Day Weekend camping trip.  Here are pictures to prove it.

Can I squeeze in between you brothers?

Single Hookup.

Double Hookups.

Triple Hookups!

Surfperch @ Sunset Beach

Here are more pictures at Sunset Beach.  A note to remember for next time is to go around 50 feet left of the life guard station, use light test line (8-10 #), sliding 1/2 oz. ball sinker, and 2" motor oil/red grub with a 5-6' leader :-)

Jack smelt preparation - yummy!

Young Master showing JU how it's done.

JU was not prepared, but managed to land two!

That's why he's Young Master!

Memorial Day Weekend @ Sunset Beach

Another fun-filled camping trip at Sunset Beach this year.  We hiked, fished, and ate all weekend long.

Thanks to the Duke from work who suggested that we visit the concrete ship at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, California.  While there, we ran into our cousin from Vallejo, who decided to go fishing at this pier for the first time.  He gave a Sibiki Rig to the Captain and the rest was history.

Is It Still Winter?

Having an opportunity to take the kids around the mountain for a scouting trip is always fun.  I loaded the Fish Mobile with 6 fishing poles and five kids and left SacTown around 9 AM.  Stopping for a few breaks along the way, we managed to peek into our usual Carson River fishing holes.  Didn't see anyone with fish, so we proceeded further down the road.  Eventually we arrived at Silver Creek and I was able to trick two hold-over rainbows to be my dinner :-)  We left Markleeville through a flurry of snow: whew!  We made it back home safe and sound at 8 PM.

Spring Break 2014

Typically we expect April showers, but where we were at, we got snow instead.  We were on vacation in South Lake Tahoe beginning with Easter, Sunday, April 20th.  We visited our favorite K-Mart on Monday and found out many fishing stuff were on "clearance."  What a great way to prepare for the opening fishing season of Carson River nearby.  We can legally fish in Carson River on Saturday, April 26th.  So JU was able to pick up a few fishing items:

With the exception of the fishing lines, most items were under $1!!!

We woke up Tuesday morning to a wonderful 4-5 inches of snow covering the fish mobile.  The younger children played in the snow while the older children and adults read inside the cozy cabin.  Since my sister's family also vacationed at Harrah's in town, the children got a chance to swim as well.

Enjoy a beautiful light snow day in South Tahoe:

Then on opening fishing day, Team United went to Carson River.  There were many people there and the fish were heavily pressured.  However, we did manage to limit out and released some...

Needless to say, we avoid fishing on that side of the river.

It's gonna be a good fishing season.