I’ve been talking about this adventure in Alaska for many
months now so when I posted my first blog entry I felt like it didn’t need any
explanation. Then when I went through my list of email contacts there were many
people I haven’t seen or talked to in quite awhile that I thought would be
interested in knowing what I was up to. So, I sent out a mass email and have
heard from many, wondering what in the world I am up to. So, here is the
explanation….
Oh dear, where do I begin?
Ok, my sister Gillian first told me about Yes Bay Lodge a
few years ago after she and her husband Brad, and the whole Wade clan came here
for a vacation. She sent me a link to the website and I was intrigued. I didn’t
do anything with it then, but last summer or fall or so I started feeling like
I needed an adventure. I checked out the website in more detail and clicked on
their link for employment. They are very adamant in saying: “do not come here
to work if you don’t enjoy long hours and days alone.” I read about the hiking
trails and the floatplane adventures, and since I was already enamored with
Alaska and the whole idea of wilderness, I thought this was the right adventure
for me. After my trek across the country in 2008 I have found that I have a
yearning for adventure. I lived off of savings for those three months though
and that’s really something one can only do once in a lifetime. So, I’ve
thought, what could I do work wise that could support me while I go on another
adventure? I returned from my trip in August of 2008 right when the economy was
falling apart. I had quit my job months before, and then couldn’t find
employment when I got back. A friend suggested catering and told me to get in
touch with Lisa at HotCakes. I did and she hired me, and I found that I really
enjoyed it. This led to a job waiting tables in a restaurant and more catering
work.
So, low and behold I’ve found this wonderful new skill that
I can take with me anywhere! And that’s how I’ve ended up in Alaska on this
working vacation/ adventure.
It’s beautiful here and I am enjoying myself in spite of the
lack of hiking. I have been forbidden to hike alone because of the threat of
bears. I get so tired of hearing about bears. I’d sure like to see some though.
Oh, I suppose I will eventually, and maybe they will really be a threat.
Somehow I doubt it. I will get to hike again too, but there’s really only one
hike~ the one I did to McDonald Lake~ that can be done from the lodge. All
others require transportation by boat or floatplane. I’ll get to go out on a
fishing boat at some point as well. And, the floatplane ride to get here was an
adventure in itself. In the meantime I am working out on a treadmill and doing
yoga every day. There’s even some dumbbells in the workout room for my enjoyment
: ) The view from the treadmill is
amazing. However, it makes me want to go and hike the mountain on the other
side of the river.
So far the work has been quite easy. I’m helping Nicky, the
chef in the kitchen. She is wonderful to work with. Her father who owns and
runs the place is a despot.
Oh, and one really funny thing is that everyone that I am
working with is young enough to be my child. My roommate is only 20. There are
fishing guides a good bit older, and I serve them dinner, but don’t work directly
with them. I guess this is the sort of thing people do when they are young, and
I am a young 49 ; )
Guests will begin arriving on Thursday this week. Things
won’t be quite so laid back then. I will keep helping with prep in the kitchen
as well as serve dinner to the guests. I’m looking forward to their arrival. My
other favorite things (after hiking) is meeting new people. There will be a lot
of that this summer.
Let the adventure begin!
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