theMangoTimes #1

A Fletcher Family Publication
Sunday, July 30th 1995

GENERAL GREETINGS
Hello from Hoopa, CA!!! For those of you that are too lazy to drag out a map, it is between Eureka and Redding, in Humboldt Co. You will hear more about the view, climate, conditions, etc... Read on>>> 

Why are we here?
Through a referral from those of you at NLWStaff, I was hired to replace a recuperating dentist at the Hoopa Valley Dental Clinic (part of the Indian Health Services, serving the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation). Anyhow, we are here for 3 weeks with the Nantinixwe people and then it is onto work in Modesto.

Why the Mango Times?
You are all involved with us either by being family, friend, fishermen, or fellow dentists. In any or all of those capacities I think you will benefit from the weekly writings in the Mango Times. We will be sending the MT every week, to fill you in on our experiences. But, please do not complain about the typing/errors as I am forced to tap out this note with the worst keyboard ever created.

How do we reach you?
Andy/Kendra
BestWestern - Tsewenaldin Inn
P.O.Box 219, Highway 96
Hoopa, CA 95546
916-625-4294
Room #207

Andy @Work
Hoopa Valley Dental Clinic
Neighborhood Facility
916-625-4201 

THE TRIP
A six hour drive from Modesto to Hoopa with a two-year old that is being potty trained and a 4month old who hasn't found his own hands yet. Absolute hell, right??? Actually it was terrific and the boys did really well. We pulled into the BestWestern this afternoon and found I am less than one mile from the clinic. No problem for this travelling dentist and his red Schwinn cruiser. It is a major highway though, so with my new flat top hair cut and the right clothes, I will look just like Forest Gump when I go to work in the morning.

THE ACCOMODATIONS
As mentioned, we are in the BW Tsewenaldin Inn just off Highway 96. It is nestled in the Hoopa Valley surrounded by Pine/Douglas Fir lined hills and the motel is literally on the Trinity River (only a stone throw from our 2nd floor balcony). I walked about a mile of it tonight. Yes, the salmon and steelhead are running and they are big as you can imagine. So, it is a single room for the four of us. Right now, we have two sleeping boys snoring away, while the two of us tip toe around getting things done. This will be difficult. Hoopa and the neighboring town of Willow Creek are small(Pop. 1000), and the boys and Kendra can go stircrazy fast in these living quarters. So, we are planning trips to Eureka, the redwoods, and neighboring communities.

THE FISHING
One word = Phenomenal!!! I will include an update next week. 

GOODBYE
Have a great week. Wherever you are reading this note, believe me, it is not half as beautiful as the view Kendra and I are experiencing right now. 

Andy