One of the highlights of the bbq was presentation from a member of the Alaskan State Assembly that had a resolution that defines Harold Groetsema as "The King of Barbeque in Alaska" It talks about all of the good he has done to promote bbq in Alaska. I thought that was awesome and a big deal. After getting to know Harold, I concur. We really enjoyed his family and his brother Dale and nephew Wes Groetsema or as we called him Wes Vegan-the tornadic weatherman.

As we got down to cooking time I had mapped out a time line and Kent & I went to work prepping and getting everything ready seasoned and on to the cookers. As the time passed the cookers were working perfectly using the "Minion method" for the long cook meats. Things really came out good, everything was just right. There was a lot of satisfaction for me to cook on different equipment and still be proud of everything I cooked. We were next to Harold and Dale (the double whammy) and believe me you never heard such misinformation about BBQ. The truth was not spoken by either us or them for about 15 hours. This was world class bbq BS at its best.

The people of Fairbanks really turned out and we had a lot of good comments from the local folks and that felt good. As it came down to the awards time I thought we had a good chance to win or a least have a good showing. Harold and Dale were going to be tough for sure. Plus there were some top teams from Texas and several of Harold's employees, ex team members. Out of the 15 teams I think Harold had trained 10 of them.

Well it was a close battle but Blazen BBQ from Texas was the Grand Champion and one of Harold prodasheas took reserve and beat us by 1 point. We scored a 2nd in Brisket, and 3rd in ribs and chicken for 3rd overall. This was a fun contest to cook and I really enjoyed it.

On Saturday night Sam's Club donated 6 prime rib roast that we cooked along with 5 other teams for a special dinner for the teams and people that worked on the contest. The prime rib was outrageous. It was soooo good and it was cooked on the WSM's.

Monday was my brother's big 50th birthday! We went fishing with Harold's neighbor, John. What a guy, he had everything we needed. Boat, gears, poles etc. He offered to take us to a special lake to fish salmon and trout. This was like a fishing dream. It was the most beautiful, crystal clear lake surrounded by mountains trees and the biggest blue sky with puffy white clouds. Just like a postcard. The minute I dropped my line in the water I had "fish on". Then Kent got a big hit and that is how our fishing day went. We had a mess of silver salmon and beautiful rainbow trout. We got back to Harold's and cleaned and cooked up the fish and had a birthday dinner for Kent. It's kind of strange when your little brother turns 50. It reminds me that I'm not immortal and that I am getting old. Damn it man!

The next day we decided to make the big adventure and go up to the artic circle. Kent & I along with Harold's nephew Wes from North Carolina took Harold's truck and we were off. It is about a 200 mile drive up the Trans Alaskan Highway (a dirt road) through the most beautiful and barren ground you can imagine. Along the way we had a lot of laughs and the adventure of a lifetime crossing the Yukon River, all the wildlife, small outposts along the way and always in view it seemed was the pipeline.

We cracked open a bottle of Champagne (The good stuff) as we crossed the artic circle. Not a lot of people get this far north on this planet. Except the mosquitoes which ate me alive.

Well all good things must come to an end. This time spent with my brother is so special for me. Alaska was everything and more. I definitely want to go back. Harold and his family could not have been more gracious in letting us stay at their home and turn their lives upside down for a week if you ever get the chance to go to Alaska, I highly recommend it. I will always cherish this time with my brother and our Alaskan adventure.