MOUNTAIN PULSE: SALMONSTOCK 2013!

The Ocean Stage

I just looked back and realized I never posted about SALMONSTOCK 2012!
So, what's Salmonstock? Salmonstock IS: a celebration of fish, music, and the people who depend harmoniously upon them. It’s also about the power we have in protecting our resources and our livelihoods. More than just three days of celebrating what we have, it is an event that offers every attendee the tools needed to help preserve it.
We invite anyone who loves Alaska, our salmon, and great music, to spend the weekend with us, to show the world why we are so passionate about our salmon and what we can do to ensure another millennia of great fishing.

This 3 day music fest is put on at the fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska, on the Kenai Penninsula. Last year we had a fabulous time camping on the beach at Deep Creek and attending the festival. We met some great friends there, the Ruizes and last weekend marked our one year friendiversary! Aw, so romantic! We had all been excitedly awaiting this trip all summer! We decided to convoy down to Ninilchik together, they in their RV and we in our truck. We were joined the next day by more friends as well as Suzanne(Willa's Teacher). I had told her months earlier that if she was well enough to boogy with me at Salmonstock , I would buy her ticket! And well enough she was! It was a regular class reunion, being that all of our kids go to the same school! A rockin' class trip for sure!

The kids spent time sequestered in our tent making Ms. Drinen cards

Another Winterberry family who had headed down the night before us, alerted us to fact that Deep Creek camping was partly closed off due to erosion and the rest already filled up with campers. We were really disappointed-camping on the beach is a HUGE part of this trip for us.....the beach combing, fishing the surf for halibut, hanging out with the water and volcanoes in view....the rolling waves lulling us to sleep after a long night of music. So, as we drove down I texted back and forth with our friend, playing musical campgrounds for awhile-they so graciously reserved a couple sites for us where they where staying. But being the stubborn types, we thought we'd give Deep Creek a quick check in-maybe have lunch on the beach-see what the deal was. We pulled in and it was just about EMPTY! Hoppin' fuckin' jeebus, hooray!!! We had our pick of the beach front property! We quickly snatched up 3 spots and set up our compound. SWEET. Room for everyone! 8 adults, 4 kiddos, one teen(babysitter extraordinaire!), and 3 dogs at the busiest time.

Home, sweet home.

We spent our days ~~recovering~~ sleeping in, playing, enjoying each other's company and usually around 2ish we'd all head over to the fairgrounds for the music. It was FABULOUS to have, T, the Ruizes babysitter there to take the kids back to camp at night so that we could all stay for the late shows! No tag teaming! No lying in a tent, hearing the music and wishing you could be there too! Whoo-hoo!

My man, my bestest friend, Doin' life with him is a fantastic journey!!

Since Miles has a radio show on the station that was sponsoring the event, he got to get up on stage and introduce some bands. He was SO excited but scared as hell-he'd never done anything like that. He got a backstage pass-I was denied :(, but they managed to smuggle me in the next 2 days betwixt the barrier and garbage barrels! He did a great job out there and was so stoked to meet the bands! Me , too! He had interviewed a couple of them on his show so it was cool for him to meet them face to face.

Miles on stage with DeadPhish Orchestra! REALLY swell guys!

The kids had a great time playing on the bouncy house slide, getting their faces painted, hoola-hooping, dancing, running around and indulging in yummy treats. This festival has such a happy vibe and is so family friendly.