Like grandpa, like grandson
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| John Alt fulfilled the dream of a lifetime recently, fishing just for the halibut in Alaska after taking his grandson, Derrick, to his first duty station near Fairbanks. | After settling in, Derrick took a trip down to Valdez earlier this week, where he did some salmon fishing. |
After completing tech school in Missiouri, Derrick came to Bonners Ferry for three weeks leave, a brief stop on his way to his first duty station at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, located just outside Fairbanks. Needing help to get there, his grandpa offered to pitch in, and after a week-long drive John was on hand as his grandson reported for duty.
On his way home, John flew to Juneau to visit some friends, and spent a couple of days sight-seeing, including the Mendenhall Glacier and the cruise ships in the harbor, and he took a ferry ride to Petersburg, where he met up with Ardy McKay, formerly of Bonners Ferry, and her family.
He also fulfilled a life-long dream of fishing in Alaskan waters, and he brought in a beautiful 28-pound halibut.
The night after his return to Bonners Ferry, he and Linda had halibut for dinner, and both agree it was delicious.
Like grandpa, Derrick couldn't wait to go fishing, and this morning he traveled south to Valdez to get a line wet, and locked onto a beautiful salmon.
Linda says Derrick is thus far loving Alaska, though the long, cold night of winter there might prove a different story.
John can't wait to get back and fish some more, preferably with his grandson, and next time, she says, Linda gets to go, too.
After years behind the administration desk at Bonners Ferry High School and many more behind the counter at the county Motor Vehicle Licensing department, Linda is joining John in retirement in August.