Tall Tales And Travel

Last weekend Joyce and Larre celebrated Mother's Day with some family time, two mishaps at the boat launch, and a bandaged hand which required Larre to do all the work on their fishing outing. Too bad that bandage didn't hold up longer! They talk about a different "mother's day" that required an unconventional medical air lift. Our Park PSA is Grand Canyon National Park, highlighting a few of the lesser-visited sites around the canyon.  Send us your comments, questions or park recommendation to mail@talltalesandtravel.com. We'd love to hear from you!   To leave us a review on iTunes, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tall-tales-and-travel/id1181646012?mt=2 then click on "Open in iTunes" and select the Ratings and Reviews tab.   Books recommended by Larre and Joyce: Ann Hillerman, Song of the Lion, which takes place near the Grand Canyon. http://amzn.to/2qCuYCO  Tony Hillerman, the Joe Leaphorn mystery series that takes place on the Navajo Reservation. http://amzn.to/2rDmD0r      

Casey tells Larre about his experiences as a paramedic on helicopter and ambulance services in Wisconsin and Alaska, and a unique situation with an oil exploration “train” on Alaska’s North Slope. Larre recalls some of his work on an ambulance crew back in the good old days. Our Park PSA this week is University Lake Dog Park in Anchorage, AK. If you travel to Alaska with your pup, it will appreciate having a chance to stretch its legs off leash—and you’ll enjoy the scenery. We’ll post some photos on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/talltalesandtravel/ Send us your recommendation for a park of the week, or share an adventure story of your own at mail@talltalesandtravel.com If you are planning to drive to or in Alaska, don't forget your Milepost Guide Book  http://amzn.to/2oq8uW0

Larre and Bill competed with Kodiak brown bears in pursuit of a mountain goat. They withstood snow, rain and high winds before their campsite flooded.  Our Park PSA is about Mouth of the Two Hearted River State Forest Campground, a rustic spot at the top of Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior.  http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=677&type=SFCG Email us with your recommendation for a park of the week: mail@talltalesandtravel.com If you are planning to drive to or in Alaska, don't forget your Milepost Guide Book  http://amzn.to/2oq8uW0    

In an earlier episode about catching big fish near Kodiak, Alaska, Larre mentioned he dropped off sons Casey and Bill so they could hike a mountain in search of goats. Today Casey tells the story of what happened up there. Before that story, Larre gives an update on the goose hunt he experienced earlier this spring with Casey, Bill and friends. We have no Park PSA this week. Send us your recommendation for a park or wilderness to share with listeners--we want to hear from you! Send it to mail@talltalesandtravel.com   Recommendations from Casey Sleeping system http://amzn.to/2qyo7r9 Hiking poles http://amzn.to/2qs8sdI Recommendations from Larre Toyes Big River Guide Service http://www.toyesbigriverguideservice.com/ Ingram's Hunting Lodge, 406 State Street, Mound City, MO +1 816-244-4052      

Our topic was inspired by a listener email from British Columbia. Larre talks about driving to Alaska across Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon. We talk about wildlife sightings, road conditions, towns and points of interest—but Joyce never brings up the topic of car trouble in the wilderness. If you plan a driving trip on the Alaska Highway or around Alaska, you need a Milepost Guidebook http://amzn.to/2oq8uW0 Send us an email at mail@talltalesandtravel.com  

The walleyes are finally running in the rivers by Green Bay, and Larre gives us the scoop on how he did. Hint—we’re having fresh fish for dinner. Then we listen in on a conversation Larre had with son Casey, reminiscing about a moose hunt that came with an extra special challenge and reward. If you want to do some long distance scouting of these fishing hot spots, here are some of Larre’s favorite web cams and pages: City of Oconto harbor cam http://cityofoconto.com/Harbor_Cam.html to see how many boats are going out into the bay. Wolf River http://www.wolfrivercam.com/Shiocton%20Cam%201.html to see how many fish are swimming by. Wisconsin fishing reports https://www.lake-link.com/wisconsin-fishing-reports/ to see what other people are reporting. Michigan Upper Peninsula http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364-34956--,00.html#UP to see what information the DNR is collecting from the field — or stream.

Larre, his brother Tuck and friend Jack head to Port Moller, Alaska with of view of Bristol Bay in the Bering Sea. They took a jet to Anchorage, flew to Cold Bay on the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, then hopped a puddle jumper to the cannery at Port Moller. After a ten-mile hike down the beach, they climbed up the side of a mountain to start looking for bear. Our Park PSA is about Indian Peaks Wilderness, with its scenic views from miles of hiking trails. Here's a map http://amzn.to/2o4cbz3. Send us your feedback on the podcast and your recommendation for a park of the week--or a forest, wilderness area, or wayside. Tell us what you like about it, and we'll feature it in a future episode. Contact Larre and Joyce at mail@talltalesandtravel.com  

Larre returns with more tales from his annual moose hunting adventures and misadventures. When the river was too high to cross, they camped on its banks. What's a guy to do when a big bull is on the opposite bank?  The hunters used a track vehicle for a couple years, which worked well on flat ground. They wised up after some issues. Another vehicle misadventure involved a runaway trailer and a van full of German tourists.  The group was out of touch with civilization on September 11, 2001.  If you're planning to drive to or in Alaska, don't leave home without your Milepost guide book. http://amzn.to/2oq8uW0 Send your emails and recommendations for a Park PSA to mail@talltalesandtravel.com  

Chitina is a small settlement on the Edgerton Highway, where the Chitina River flows into the Copper River. From Chitina you can drive a former railroad bed with washboard gravel and hairpin turns to get within one mile of the small town of McCarthy. You walk the last mile, using a recently constructed footbridge. In Larre's day you used a hand pulled tram to cross the river to get to town. Larre talks about helping a friend build a log cabin on Silver Lake, along the McCarthy Road. Years later the boys explored McCarthy a little too much while Larre repaired one of two flat tires they experienced on the drive. Joyce talks about a more recent need for roadside repairs that arose in the Yukon last summer. Our Park PSA was sent in by listener Jedd from Colorado. Thanks Jedd! Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park is a spectacular river gorge that rivals the impact of the Grand Canyon. Below are links to the official website and a guidebook for planning your visit. website: https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm  Es

Larre survives two adventures, despite his best efforts to the contrary. As a teen, he and his brother were saved by the unwitting intervention of a moose. As adults, the pair were on a Dall sheep hunt when they took a super short-cut down a mountainside. We start with a shout out to our favorite podcasters, Chuck and Josh at Stuff You Should Know. They mentioned us in an episode last week, and today we welcome new listeners who are visiting as a result. If you don't know the SYSK podcast, you should. Here's the episode where they read our letter: http://www.stuffyoushouldknow.com/podcasts/hookworms.htm Our listener Tim from the UK sent us a Park PSA about a favorite place he hiked with his father when he was 12 years old. Here's a visitors guide for Brecon Beacon National Park in Wales: http://www.visitwales.com/~/media/visit-wales/brochure-pdf/brecon16.ashx And here's a story told by Frank Stokes, the World War II airman who survived a plane crash in the Brecon Beacon mountains in January, 1945:  http://www

Larre operated a fishing and ecotour business in Kodiak for several years. In this episode we talk about dealing with motion sickness, encountering set netters in Onion Bay, memorable guests, and spectacular whale encounters. Plus, Larre gives us the inside scoop on the spring walleye run in rivers feeding Green Bay in Wisconsin. If you are looking for a reliable, comfortable boat—the Best Friends is for sale! Check her out here: https://www.alaskaboatbrokers.com/listings_detail.php?id=1224

We start with some really big news for Larre, then jump into more descriptions of Larre’s annual treks to hunt moose in Alaska. Along the way, he was stalked by an owl and spent several days spying on a wolf pack. Larre tells about their gear and how they got the meat back home to Wisconsin. By the way, we think moose is tastier than most other wild game and it’s a lean, healthy meat. Larre spent several years learning how to bow hunt for moose. He describes how they learned to get close enough to the moose, including a 61-inch bull his brother got at 7 yards. Larre finally got his first moose with a bow in 1999 at 22 yards.   If you can't master the grunts, try this moose call: http://amzn.to/2mcQ32N  

Larre tells about his "last chance" to go hunting in Alaska, which turned into "my annual moose hunt." He tells about tracking down the secret trail to Moose Valley, home of the big bulls. It's a two-day trek by ATV or track vehicle to get to the hunting area, an adventure in itself.  Give us a review on iTunes to help others find us.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tall-tales-and-travel/id1181646012?mt=2   

We hear more about Larre's adventures flying into remote hunting sites, battling bad weather and walking away from another crash.  Give us a review on iTunes to help others find us.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tall-tales-and-travel/id1181646012?mt=2  Some recommended equipment: Survival tool: http://amzn.to/2kJX8pz Trauma kit: http://amzn.to/2m8SmTg Don't fly without one. Nomex flight gloves: http://amzn.to/2kK3BQZ Denali Justice, a book about a plane crash and botched rescue:  http://amzn.to/2lVJ2q9

We talk in this episode about finding the Best Friends in Seattle, then cruising her to Kodiak, Alaska where Larre operated a charter fishing and ecotourism business. The cruise itself was an adventure, but so was the experience with "Captain Jack," who we hired to help on the trip. Most of the whale and fishing videos on our website are from this time on the Best Friends. Check them out at www.talltalesandtravel.com. And now the Best Friends is in Seward, Alaska and for sale. Check her out at https://www.alaskaboatbrokers.com/listings_detail.php?id=1224.

Larre talks about a trip to Afognak and Raspberry Islands, hunting for blacktail deer and fishing for halibut. They spent a sleepless night riding out a big storm and son Bill lost a wrestling match with a fish. Our park of the week is Mt. Rainier National Park, a favorite from our time living in Olympia, WA.  Larre also gives a report on his recent ice fishing outing in northern Minnesota. The walleyes were delicious. Email us your adventure stories, too, and we'll share them in the podcast. mail@talltalesandtravel.com.  Visit our website at www.talltalesandtravel.com Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/talltalesandtravel/  Larre's recommendations for gear: Inflatable PFD activates when you need it http://amzn.to/2jil5DS  St. Croix saltwater fishing rod http://amzn.to/2i3LfxS  Good quality, affordable Nikon binoculars http://amzn.to/2i7VTSP Joyce's reading recommendation: Hiking the Wonderland Trail by Tami Asars http://amzn.to/2j7Hapt  

Driving home out the Valdez Highway, Joyce makes an unexpected right turn off an icy bridge, rolls down the embankment and stops upside-down hidden in the willow brush.  This week's park is Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. Send us an email or voicemail about your favorite park to: mail@talltalesandtravel.com Email us your adventure stories, too, and we'll share them in the podcast. mail@talltalesandtravel.com.  Visit our website at www.talltalesandtravel.com Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/talltalesandtravel/  Ice fishing recommendations from Larre Fiblink Graphite Ice Fishing Rod http://amzn.to/2j7mm19 In case you don't need a sleeping bag warm enough to sleep in your car at below zero weather, this buying guide will help you pick one that matches your needs http://amzn.to/2isafen  Clam Vista Thermal, Larre's trusty ice shack http://amzn.to/2i7BFbW  Reading recommendation from Joyce A book about Bandelier National Monument http://amzn.to/2j7Bz2D 

Ride aboard the motor yacht Best Friends during Larre's first year of operating a fishing charter and hunting transport business in the islands near Kodiak, Alaska. While some went ashore in pursuit of mountain goats and blacktail deer, one lucky guy decided to drop a line in the water. Turns out October is a good time to find halibut near stream outlets. Our park of the week is Lake Wissota State Park, near Chippewa Falls, WI. Email us your adventure stories, too, and we'll share them in the podcast. mail@talltalesandtravel.com.  Visit our website at www.talltalesandtravel.com Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/talltalesandtravel/  Gear recommendations from Larre An inflatable PFD, handy to wear in case a fish tries to pull you overboard http://amzn.to/2jil5DS St. Croix spinning rod for saltwater fishing http://amzn.to/2i3LfxS Nikon 8246 Aculon A211 10x42 binoculars http://amzn.to/2i7VTSP Reading recommendation from Joyce Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time, by Michael Per

Join hosts Larre Brouhard and Joyce Olson for stories of harrowing adventure, thrilling discovery and humorous encounters. Hike across wilderness, crash land a bush plane on a remote mountainside, and cruise the coastal waters of Alaska on the M/V Best Friends.  Get up close and personal with orca, humpback and fin whales. Smell the sea lions, dodge the puffins, and smile at the sea otters. Spot Kodiak brown bears, mountain goats, moose, elk, and wolves.  Each week we share a new story from the lives of Larre, Joyce, their four sons and guests like you. Then we highlight a park you shouldn't miss with our Park Public Service Announcement (Park PSA). We finish with messages from listeners.  Listen, then send us your stories and PSAs at mail@talltalesandtravel.com. Visit our website at www.talltalesandtravel.com. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/talltalesandtravel/