BETTER HOMES IN GARDENS

And now let's pause for a moment of science.  Our readers who work  -- or have worked -- in the building trades may find this especially fascinating, if not humbling.  There's a little mammal up here called the Hoary Marmot, cousin of the more common Groundhog of weather prediction fame. 

Despite what it's name might suggest, Hoary Marmots are quite civilized. When they construct their homes, which are underground burrows, they always include a separate room which is basically a bathroom. When nature calls, they go in there to take care of business, thus keeping the main chamber, the living and dining area, clean and fresh.

A big danger In the blogging game is that you can get bogged down in tedious descriptions of meals and restaurants.  So we'll just say in that regard that we are conducting something of a survey of clam or fish chowders in the region.  Had a great one last night at an upscale (for Fairbanks) eatery called the Chena Alaskan Grill.

The rivers up here are swollen silly from all the rain. This is Jim's excuse for catching no fish so far in a place where it's not easy to not catch fish. I did catch one several days ago at a little stream on a private campground. It must have been upwards of three inches. Some kind of trout, but too small to tell exactly what kind.

More exciting fishing reports to follow so keep it right here.