More of our Favorite Destinations, Christmas and a Birthday!

In our last post we talked about our favorite destination. Truthfully, Pasha Lake Cabins (PLC) is probably our top destination but the scenery, sense of adventure and newness of Alaska (to us) are why we featured it in our last post. But for us, Pasha Lake offers all the adventure one could ask for in Ontario! We have been friends with owners Chad and Michelle for years, actually since before they even owned the resort. Chad and I worked together for years "back in the day". Michelle worked there too in another department. Then Chad came to me one day and we had a conversation that changed our lives forever. It went something like this..... 

(Chad) "I have some good news and some bad news" (Jim) "Ah great, what did you do now?" (Chad) "I have to quit, Michelle and I bought a fishing and hunting resort in Ontario. You and Barb are welcome to come up whenever you want though" (Jim) "I thought you said you had some bad news."

That was 15 years ago and we have been up there every year since except two. You guessed it, 2016 when we went to Alaska and 2020. When we were working Barb and I would spend almost all our vacation time up there, when we retired I spent my first month of retirement up there. Since then our stays have been a minimum of a month and over 4 months. If you are into walleye fishing I don't think you will find a place with better fishing. Barb and I have had several 100+ fish days. Not just numbers but consider the fact that most of them are over 20" with our largest ones over 30"! Don't believe me? Check out our videos on YouTube of several of our fishing adventures. 

I enlarged my picture a little more to make it look bigger

They also have incredible fishing for Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Splake, Brook Trout.... and several other species. Their accommodations include almost a dozen cabins housing 4-12 people, tent sites and several fullhook up RV sites.

Barb with a 43" Northern

They also offer bear hunting and over the years I have taken several really nice bears. We have watched Chad and Michelle grow their business and grow their family in the past 15 years. In fact, their oldest son just turned 18. We also learned just how much work goes into running an operation like they have. You would think they get to get out fishing all the time? Wrong! They are too busy running the resort.  Just writing about Pasha Lake makes me want to skip Alaska next year and go up there instead. (Don't worry Sister Judy we are still planning on Alaska!).

In addition to Chad, Michelle and the adventures we have made some great friends up there so it checks all three boxes on what it takes to make a top destination!

But again, for now all we can do is stare out the window at the snow and dream about our next adventure north.

Christmas on the J-B was fairly low key. We had a great afternoon/evening with Kevin and Cheryl. Barb cooked a prime rib on the pellet grill that has my mouth watering just reliving the experience. 

We are seriously lacking on our Christmas décor so were thrilled when my sister Judy sent us these Christmas Gnomes!

Thanks Judy!

Then a short few days later it was my birthday and I was another year older. 

It has been years since Barb has had an oven large enough to bake 2 round pans at one time so I was thrilled then she baked a layer cake!

That day we spent quietly at home as I was not feeling that well (I feel fine now). What did I get for my birthday you ask? I got a new laptop! I know several of you cringed when you read that as me and laptops don't get along very well. My last one only lasted a couple of weeks before I kneeled on it and totally destroyed the screen. I was able to use that for several years afterward with the cracked screen but it is now retired. The laptop prior to that one was not as fortunate as I left it on the roof of the car and only realized that when I heard it slide off, then saw it hit the trunk and bounce several time before coming to rest on the asphalt.

Although you cannot see the cracked screen, the duct tape is a dead giveaway that this is the old one. Fingers crossed my new one stays in better shape!

Barb and I received two very special gifts from Farmer Bob and DeAnne up in North Dakota. DeAnne is a quilter and were thrilled when we opened the package and saw this.....

If you look closely you can see Barb's fingers holding up the top

But the next item was the one I was most proud of....

I guess they felt sorry for me after this post a few months ago and were maybe fearful that we would not show up in the spring. Or maybe, just maybe, they felt sorry for Barb a few months ago  when they gave her the Employee of the Month honors and were just waiting for the end year to present the real award! When I mentioned to Barb that this certificate will look great on the mantle of our fireplace, she said "Yeah, just like the leg lamp in Christmas Story!" I myself, have to agree, that leg lamp is the coolest!

To be fair, this guy was the only other competition....

The grossest moment of the week happened just this afternoon and no it was not the picture of Dino's oozing stiches that he felt he needed to post on Facebook right when most of America is eating breakfast. It was when Barb and I were working on the ceiling in the hallway. She went to pick up a 16' board when I heard her cry out and drop the board. When I looked over right thumb is bent at an ungodly position like a zombie in one of Dino favorite movies. Like the true man that I am I covered my eyes with my hands and peeked at her hand through my fingers. When I do, I see Barb pulling on her thumb to get it back into position. I about threw up on the spot! After a minute of rest she picked up the board and we carried on. I now know who the tough one in the relationship is!