As my mind drifted back over the years, a few of the charactors and faces sharpened into focus for a moment, I thought of how thankful I am for each and every one of the people who have made Great Alaska the "long, strange trip it's been"..
I guess one of the reasons that I've struggled to make regular entries in this blog is that I wasn't sure what to say- or what not to say for that matter, but in the spririt of "Re-assessing", I decided that with single-digit followers, I really didn't need to worry about that all that much and should just say what comes to mind. Heck...most of you are probably related to me at this point in any event :)
But I digress...one of the moments of sharp focus rested on my friend Bob Ernisee. For anyone who reads this and does not know Bob, you are the lessor for it. Bob was a very special friend who took us under his wing and introduced us to what passed as polite society in the late Eighties in Anchorage, Alaska. He and his amazing black lab, Duchess, were regulars on our beach at the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers. I've attached an excerpt from a favorite article from the Anchorage Daily News that featured Bobby.
There are too many stories of Bobby to tell for this forum, but here are two. Bobby would come down as often as he could in the summer, and he would occassionally park his 23 foot duckworth on the beach and spend the nite in it. At that time, fishing at the confluence of the two rivers (in boats) was allowed and there were more fishermen than in a dozen weekends these days, so our boats and gear were a concern and we'd had a few incidents recently, so bobby sat up with his black Lab, Duchess with a Remington 870 12 guage. When that kid came back for more he ended up face to face with the business end of that Remington and we didn't have any more problems that year.
The other side of Bobby was just as over the top. There was literally nothing he wouldn't do for a friend- and that's saying something because no one had as many friends as Bobby. In the days way, way WAY before facebook, Bob was the ultimate social media. And Bobby would go to the mat for you every time. Somehow with all his friends he had an uncanny way of making you feel as if you were the very best of them all.
Happy New year to you all - I hope you have a healthy and happy New Yearl
What a sweet tribute, Kent! It brought me to tears. He was one of a kind, wasn't he! Bob-Two B's and One O. As crazy as it drove me, I would give anything to hear that again.
ReplyDeleteSome of my fondest memories as a kid were down on the banks of the camp. I am so lucky to have that one last trip with him as an adult a few years before he died. I will always cherish that weekend.
My Dad didn't just treat you like one of his best friends you were one of his best friends. You are one of only two of my Dad's friends I would ask to walk me down the asile when the time comes if I didn't have Brothers as he would only want one of you two standing in his place.
I am sure you are aware and I believe even met our "New" Sister, Vicki. Well, this past August we have yet another new addition to the family thanks to Dad and this time, It's a BOY! Hopefully some day you will have a chance to meet Cory as well.
Thank you for being such an amazing friend to my Dad and for a lifetime of memories. You meant the world to him. You family has always meant the world to our family and we are better people because your family was in our lives. Much love to you, your family and the entire Great Alaska family.