John, I too had my hunt delayed due to bad weather just after we talked on Sept 5th.
Some people ask why I hunt alone. Well its not always by design, but now with many units in Alaska going to draw for non-residence, its tough to be on the same page with huntging partners or brothers. I have hunted solo in Alaska many times as well as in Rocky Mountain states. The challenge becomes spiritual for me usually sometime into the second week of solitude. This time the moose would not let me reach that plain, because they cooperated early on.
I knew this river valley well since, I hunted here 13 years ago. If memory serves me, I was in Dan Foster's living room just prior to the hunt when I got a call from someone. I thought, "Who even knows I'm up here in Alaska?" Well... it was Bart wishing me good luck. Ha! And ... even now I have a friend that calls me and prays with me before every big hunting adventure I go on. So, I don't really feel alone. BUT, I can tell you I have slowed down alot, but still give it my all. Ha! Ha! During my first moose pack-job when I was 29 years old, my hips and butt got sore from the way the pack frame seated un my skinny waist. I had to pad it with a shirt. But now I carry my own extra padding around my waist if you know what I mean. Ha!