Lodge Maiden Chronicles: Commence Last Semester in T Minus 10 Days and Counting...

I can’t believe the summer’s gone by so fast! I still remember getting off the plane with Syd to see a dead bear on the dock our first day. It’s crazy how much has changed since then.

Just in case you thought I’d fallen off the edge of the earth, let me assure you that I am alive and well. Here’s some of my life happenings I’ve had since my last blog posting.

All in one day: I went out on the boat, got dropped off at portage and hiked up with Mckenzie, Jordan, Ed, and Chad to Laura lake (or at least the vicinity of it, I never actually physically saw it). On the way back down we went spinning for salmon at a waterfall and a couple other spots along the river. I caught my first silver salmon on my 2nd or 3rd cast! (and I didn't catch a single one after that…) After dinner that night Luke took a few of us out to Waterfall and we saw 9 bears! (5 at one time!). One even tried to follow us along the trail for a while. On the ride home we saw lobbing whales and I rode on top of the boat the whole way back. :)

Garrett's family has been coming to visit us as well. During one week his brother Brandon’s family came to stay with us. Brandon’s wife Martha and I went kayaking to the “Barbie Island” rock arch and then to the back bay where we ate a picnic on one of the islands back there. We saw a few otters and one came within 10 ft of us! Also Garret’s mom (Debbie) and his daughter Maddie came to visit. While they were here we celebrated Little Garrett's birthday. He turned 3 this year. He got a batman cake and a mini trampoline. :) And Garret’s dad (Harry) came out and helped with the foundation for the new warehouse. It’s gonna be awesome! Needless to say, I like Garret’s family. I’m missing Huong, Sophia, and little Garrett a lot right now because they left to go back to town before Huong has her baby. I love you guys and miss you!

On another day both Syd and I went out on the boat and I saw whales so I climbed up on the roof of the boat. I rode up there for at least the next half hour. The wind in my face (as well as the occasional spray of water from the bow). I love the feeling of being suspended in air for that slight second just as you reach the crest of the swell. That freedom that makes you feel you could almost start to fly before the boat drops down into the next swell. I really felt like I connected with the ocean that day.

 

There was a group of 12 guys here who all own separate businesses, but are still partners. One of them found out I play guitar and asked me to play for them all. So I did. Most of them said I'm really good and that I should think about recording and becoming a star. Your thoughts?...

One evening Syd and I kayaked out into the channel to see the sunset. While we were out there we met Garrett and his kids in the whaler. He offered to tow us home, and on the way we went a little to fast and got water up over the front of the kayak. We didn’t flip over, but we both got wet. That was when Syd decided we should jump off the dock that night. So we did. I was really cold, but fun! And it was my first time swimming in the ocean. :)

Speaking of Syd, I really miss her…

She already left to get back in time for school to start at BYU. She has no idea just how much of an amazing person she is! She has changed my life in ways that she will never understand. I could write pages and pages about our experiences together! And to think that if we both hadn’t come to Alaska we never would have known each other. I guess God knew how much we needed to be friends. Summer sisters for life, right Syd? :)

For a few days I got to go out on the boat with Jim and his fiancé Gail. They needed more people on board to catch all the fish that he wanted. He’s taking it all back to a local homeless shelter to help out. Also, Jim is a cosmetic surgeon. He offered to fix Luke's nose because it had gotten broken once before and was crooked. So he did it right there in the crew cabin with Luke in the recliner and everybody watching (I think someone has it all on video somewhere). Anyway, Luke’s nose is straight again, and is healing up well.

Oh yeah. Jim, Gail, and Max (a dog-trainer from California) had to stay an extra night because of bad winds. The planes couldn’t fly out and the waves were too high for the boats to make it to town reasonably. The other thing that keeps planes from flying in is fog. Depending on the visibility in certain areas, routes have to be delayed, thus delaying clients from going in and out. That’s happened a few times this summer.

Right now we have a big group of mexicans. Remember the group I told you about last time? Well that was a grandfather and all of his grandsons. This time it’s the same grandfather with all of his sons/sons-in-law. Luckily they are tidier, and more adept at using coffee makers than their sons. ;)

Other random fun comments: I got complimented for my no-bake cookies. Swiss guests have left the crew chocolate as housewarming gift/tips. I’m bringing home some rockfish otoliths; see if you can figure out their significance.

I love you all and will see you soon!

[Insert fun signature sign-off phrase]

Shawni