Jam packed days

We're here for inservice.  It's a lovely place and people really seem to enjoy it here.  The people are friendly and the food is excellent. Today was french toast, shepard's pie and mexican.  Between meals we talked about schedules, levels, standards and how school was going to run in general.  With a better understanding of how things will work out, I'm ready for a flight to Egegik and some time in my apartment.

Before that though, there were walks alone, walks with new friends and some experiences shooting a bow again.  Here are some more pictures to help paint the picture.

Boat docks looking toward the lodge

Another beautiful day in AK.  State flag, do you know what the stars are?

Alecia and I trying for the water bags

Kathy did the bow last night and had a little trouble with it getting her arm.

My mushroom finds on grounds

Mushroom family

Took a walk to the end of the dock.

Hang the big catch of the day there, didn't fish though, it was SPENDY.  I'll have enough of it in Egegik! 

Bear tracks on the sand bar, we did NOT see it, just the tracks.

MeMe, the sled dog.  She was shy but she could tell I'm a dog person.

 And the one, the only, AfterBite.  This is heaven right here.  I will be ordering some.  One of the gals had it and let me use some after she saw the bites on my hand, forehead and ear.  It was FANTASTIC.  Stopped the itch within 20 seconds.  

There was a crooked little man...

Our Plane

(Cat-My) Lodge

Inside the main area

These two pics, about 30 minutes apart

End of the road

Chicken wire for traction

Our fearless Anchorage leader, Bill (and his antlers)

Our delay to Katmai finally ended and the first group was rushed away to the airport.  We drove right up to a back gate and because it's a taxi service again, drove right through a gate as our plane was coming up.  The pilot opened up the two hatched shoved more bags in then I ever though possible and loaded up the 9 of us.  There were only 8 seats though.  Oh, too bad, I had to sit co-pilot!

It was so cool!  "The picture" is on the superintendents camera so I hope to see that someday.  If I get a copy of that I'll get it up here.  For now though you'll have to deal with the video that has the landing on it with me in the seat at the end.  *Kinda, it was a turn-around and the top of my head is cut off but you get what you get right?

Dinner.  YUM!

Aside from that the time here at Katmai Lodge has been good so far.  We've had some fantastic food.  Last night's dinner was like Thanksgiving.  A good home-cooked meal was just what was needed.  They said the food was good here and they didn't lie.  This morning's breakfast was great as well.  Fresh fruit out in the bush?  Yes please!

Sun setting above the horizon at 10:30

Skeeter catchers...FULL

Our beds are comfy, the best that I've had so far.  I slept like a baby last night.  So much so that I didn't notice the new bite I got last night on my knee.  I'm not sure what got me but it's a little painful.  Not too bad though considering when I went out to look for bears at 10:30 last night I was swarmed by skeeters and who knows what else.  That made for a hasty retreat back to Osprey 2 (my cabin name).  There were no bears out anyway so all you get is a picture of the sun starting to set.  Yes, at 10:30 it's just there above the horizon.

I've found the lodge dogs to get my puppy fix and though right now I only have this one picture, the other two are a golden retriever and a sled dog.  Makes me think of what a young Ciqu would have looked like.  This black lab mix reminds me a little bit of Mom's old dog Sprocket.  She would sit at my feet and when I would stop petting her for a minute, around came her head to look at me like "excuse me, why did you stop?"

Oh, and the sweat with April, oh my!  I was like 30 seconds in and DYING!  It was good though.

Today's more inservice and we gotta get going.  Stay tuned for more!