Minnow's Guide #5: How to look like a local

Have you ever gone on vacation and noticed that you don't look local? It's especially noticeable in Soldotna during tourist season. Sure, you have your jeans on, and maybe your new hiking boots, and you're waiting patiently in line to get your fishing license, and if you're a fella, you've sprouted that quarter inch of stubble on your chin to try to blend in with the other fishermen. All this, and folks are still saying "Hey, you're not from around here, are you?"So what's the secret? One word: Carhartts. Yep. Soldotna has to be the Carhartt capital of the world, second only to the Carhartt Company in Dearborn, Michigan.

Carhartts are known for their endurance, but I'll let you in on another secret. I know this is true, because Skip has a couple of pairs of Carhartt jeans. They are also incredibly warm. Carhartts makes a pair of men's jeans that are lined. I found this out last December, when we were cross country skiing. I was shivering on the trail in my usual two or three layers, and good old Skip was just gliding on ahead of me on the trail, perfectly comfortable in his lined Carhartts. How fair is that?

There's a reason that Carhartts are so big around here, aside from the fashion statement they make. Two words: Mike Sweeney. Although it was several years ago, Mike Sweeney is one of the few people to ever win the coveted the Hamilton Carhartt Award for Customer Service from the Carhartt company. It's well deserved. So if you see Mike in the store, congratulate him.

So where is Sweeneys? As you head west on the Sterling Highway, turn right at the Y, (heading toward Kenai) and look for the Sweeney's Clothing store on the left hand side of the road. That's where you want to go. I'm not Carhartts kind of gal, but I've bought excellent hiking boots there. It's a comfortable store with good clothing and some very good bargains.

Now, why would I tell you this? Because sometimes, when you pack, you forget things, and then you spend a long plane ride, toting up in your mind all the things you forgot, especially warm comfortable clothes. Don't worry! Sweeney's has them. Happy fishing! Now you can stay warm and dry!

Sweeney's Clothing, 35081 Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna, Store: 907-262-5916, Fax: 907-262-6453, Email: sweeneyclothing1@gci.net

Disclaimer #1: I am not related to Mike Sweeney and I don't work for him. He did donate socks to a race I ran last year (Fox River--excellent) and Skip & I do shop at his store.

Disclaimer #2: I don't own Carhartts stock. I think the company is privately owned--I am not a member of the Carhartts family and I don't work for them either.