Disclaimer
This book is what I would categorize as historical fiction. I have used real names and places, and described events that actually happened. How accurately is open to debate.
Very little of history is not fiction to some degree. Based on the number of times my wife corrects my stories these days, the accounts in this book clearly fit in the category of tales. One of my favorite sayings from Alstads Savy Sayins is An oldtimer is a man whos had a lot of interesting experiences, some of them true.
I dont have to look in the mirror to realize that somehow I have attained that Exalted Status, which also comes with graying hair, declining eyesight, and more frequent trips to the cabin outhouse. When some people say I am full of it, they obviously know what they are talking about.
I respect and greatly admire each and every character in this book. How could I write this story without them?
Even the biggest adversary, a USFWS Protection Agent that was just doing his job, earns my regard. Although Officer Crane was the recipient of some rather spicy invective from Mom, Dad in reality got off very lightly. A $25 suspended fine, plus forfeiture of hunting license for 30 days. Since Dad only hunted on weekends, basically his trusty 16 gauge missed action for a maximum of 8 days. Assuming he made it out for every hunt possible, of course.
I still do, and will continue to do so as long as I can. A world of adventure awaits. No two days are the same; there is magic in sunrise and sunset, and all between.
And perhaps a tale or two more.
February 2014
Nae man can tether time or tide.
ROBERT BURNS, Tam OShanter
Acknowledgments
This book is the result of contributions from so many Cordova people with tales of the Deltas history. Hopefully I dont overlook anyone.
First and foremost, Randy and Jackie Bruce. There is hardly a page that wasnt discussed over coffee at their kitchen counter. Ironically, in the home where I was raised as a child. Their kitchen was the living room in our tiny house. Mom chewed out Dad in that very place when he brought my brother Bobby and I home late from our first duck hunt.
Special kudos also to a pair of resident old time duck hunters who have done it all, and know how to tell about it: Jimmy Webber and Bobby Maxwell. I dont know how many times Randy and I would be scratching our heads about names, dates, or events, and he would say: You better call Jimmy or Bobby. They hunted and fished the whole Delta, and recall with amazing detail, and accuracy, the highlights of those great times.
Another rich source of stories I had never heard was Dan OBrien. His father, Bill OBrien, was another early hunter and partner in the first duck shack on Alaganik.
And who can over look Harry Curran, who passed away a year ago. I will never forget sitting in the sunshine at his kitchen table at his hillside home overlooking Orca Inlet as he recounted his life story. The twinkle in his eye matched the sparkles off waves on the bay. I had a tape recorder going, and a 90 minute cassette ran out before we even started building our duck cabin. When I made the mistake of suggesting we could jump ahead to 1959, he interrupted me with: Now wait a minute. Well get there. Oh, I loved the Scotsman.
So many others. Sues parents John & May Ekemo, and her uncles Bill Ekemo and Pete Lovseth. Ken & Bruce Van Brocklin. Merle, Barb, and Ardy Hanson. Danny Glasen. Justin Strom Jr. Fred Newirth. Sig Gildnes. Julius Reynolds. Trudy & Jerry Bendzak. Al Jardinski. Don Scutt. Pete & Robin Blake. Robby Maxwell. Tom Justice. Jack Stevenson. Virgil Carroll. Gary Weinrick. Virginia Nicoloff Lacy. Tom & Bob Simpler. Dick Renner. Jerry Behymer. Kenny & Wayne Smith. Jim Iliff. Ron Horton. Luke Borer. Robert Beedle. Mark King. Sylvia & Mae Lange. Mike Webber. Norman Swanson. Ira Grindle. Mary Behymer. Thorne Popelka. Bob Lenz. Mike McHone. John Goodridge. Jay Beaudin. John Davis. Al Cave. Bob Moose Henrichs. Toni Bocci. Mike Collins. Rene Pettingill Rankin. Beth Pettingill Pirtle. Larry and Kathleen Kritchen, and their daughter Kay Adams. Many are gone. But their tales endure.
USFS personnel, especially Dede Serb, Bob Behrends, Dan Logan, Dana Smyke, and Milo Burcham. The help of the local District Ranger Office, and access to maps, archives, and background was invaluable. The same applies to Kelsey Appleton at the Cordova District Fishermans United office, which has enough historical material on the fisheries of the Delta and Prince William Sound to qualify as a second local museum.
Cordova Museum Director Cathy Sherman and her assistant Nancy Bird, plus Kristen Carpenter of the Copper River Watershed Project, and Cordova Times Editor Jennifer Gibbins for their help with maps, background materials, reviews, and encouragement.
My sister Sharon Ermold. At age nine, she was there when we built our cabin in 1959. Reminded me it rained every day. Each was sunny for me, so thats the way I wrote it.
Last, and most importantly, my family. Wife Sue would roll her eyes when I woke up at 5 a.m. on dark Cordova winter nights, made a pot of coffee, and started typing on the computer. Recognized the look from the greetings in the early days of our marriage, upon returning late Sunday from the cabin, of course stopping first with Randy at the Powder House to recap the weekend. Her archive of photos, plus the Cabin Scrapbook she and Sharon put together, were invaluable resources. Most of the photos in the book came from that album, which also provided an excellent timeline of events at Pete Dahl.
Duck hunters wives are a special breed, and I knew I had good one after our first overnight trip to the cabin with my parents in 1966. Find details in a Chapter titled Alaganik Redux. I love you, sweetie.
Daughters Heidi and Gretchen, a constant source of pride, inspiration, and joy. Hows the book going, Dad? Both made it to the cabin at a very early age, as did their children Huck and Ellie. All were so small they couldnt stand to have their height marked and dated on the interior wall by the entry door, which became an annual event in the years that followed.
Then there are my son-in-laws Tom and Scott, who, in keeping with tradition, constantly chip in to provide fresh material for this book. My daughters know how to pick em.
And of course, Mom and Dad. Without them, there wouldnt have been a cabin, or Cabin Logs. In many ways, this is their story.
Family. It all comes down to that.
As you will see.
