The Lost Story of Alaska: Double Out

The second half of my week-long odyssey in Alaska was equally awesome.
In Seward, the perfect weather persisted, and Gavin and crew took me on whale-watching and glacier tours by day, or would join me after work in the dart bar. If I wasn't on the boat, I'd hike from my scenic campsite into the steep hills to find forests and waterfalls, or wander the wharfs and waterfront. I ambled down to the Alaska SeaLife Center to check out more marine mammals, fish, and birds.

Watching puffins dart around like scuba divers on speed was a memorable twenty minutes. And, on my last day, two new friends and I spent the day exploring the Kenai Peninsula where we walked remote beaches, strolled small fishing towns, and ran Six Mile Creek, some technical Class V whitewater down a foggy basalt gorge. The whales, glaciers, pig roast, dart bars, and rafting were among the most memorable of my adventures. But one memory wouldn't make itself clear until years later.

Remember, at this point in time and space, in the summer of 2006, I'd only played darts for a year, with only one season of league experience. My blogging had hardly begun; my pseudonym was still just the name of my first darts team. I didn't know who Phil Taylor was, or any of the other greats. I certainly didn't know who Johnny Kuczynski was. But, I had recently heard about the World Series of Darts-the latest effort to inspire competition in North America. A televised tourney would pay one million dollars to any American that won. However, only one American made it out of the first round. It was Johnny Kuczynski.

Whether fate, destiny, or coincidence, it must have been the fourth or fifth day of my trip. Gavin and gang were hanging out after work with me in the Sea Breeze bar, getting the "local discount" on beers and bombing some darts. Multiple televisions happened to be showing the WSOD, which I only glanced at occasionally, a bit oblivious. Another family was there for an early fish-n-chip dinner, with some children. Their toddler, maybe one or two, became transfixed on the darts on TV, and was soon groping on the glass of the flatscreen. Seeing a young dart player in the making, I took a photo.and in that picture, I unknowingly captured Johnny's image.

If you know Johnny K, you know this: he's a great shooter, a great representative of the sport, and a fabulous supporter of children via his increasingly successful annual Toys-for-Tots drive. I didn't meet Johnny in person until the 2009 PacMania2 tournament in Burbank, California. By then, I was much more familiar with professional players in Europe as well as in North America, but I was still a relatively unknown darts blogger, with very little playing experience at bigger tournaments. By chance, I drew Johnny in '01 singles, and despite being an average player and shooting horribly, Johnny played an extra leg with me and gave me advice on my shot. It was clear to me that Johnny was very down to earth, very kind, and the kind of role model that hopefully all players can continue to follow. Since then, I've gotten to know Johnny better, most recently at the 2011 Vegas Open and via DartsAroundTheWorld and DartBook. And, there is nothing I'd like more than to bring added attention to Johnny's toy drive, and help him set another fundraising record for needy children. Let's show the world what the people of darts are really about.

So, before concluding this entry with more photo captions to capture the fading memories, I'd encourage you to visit his site John Kuczynski and offer your support!

Leave a comment, ask a question, or make a donation. Johnny, DATW, and the next generation will thank you.

Over and double out.










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