Fish Tales

Alright friends and family, its about time I posted a new blog, huh? I called home today and my mom was going on and on about how people are dying to hear about my adventures. I apologize that its been so long. Its very frustrating trying to use the crew computer because its very very slow. But I'm here now and ready to share my stories! I have to warn you though, its kind of the same stuff day in and day out...

Lets start out with the weather. I can not tell you how much I'm missing the Michigan summer warmth and being able to be out on the beach. I keep hearing of people who can't cool down and are at the beach all the time...its killing me. Aparently this has been one of the coldest summer's they've had here in a really long time. Yesterday I can't imagine that it got above 45 degrees and it rained ALL day. Aside from the cold, the sun sets around 11pm and comes back up between 3 and 3:30am. Today I saw a little glimmer of hope when the sun came out this afernoon but it was quickly extinguished as the clouds rolled in. I actually wore my long underwear to work last night for the second time since I've been here.

The reason I was so cold and wore my long underwear to work was because...I got to go out fishing again yesterday! It was my third trip, and I was with my favorite guide, Captain Justin from Wisconsin. The fishing was extremely slow, but at least it was cold and rainy... Really, its amazing being out on the boat no matter what the weather is like. The lodge is so far away from any other signs of life, that when you get the chance to see something different, you jump on that chance. Justin did a charter for Nani's parents and sister Tracy, so I got to go along and try to catch fish for the lodge. We didn't catch any salmon but I did catch my first halibut (which, in my personal opinion, is much better eating). The kitchen makes fried halibut as one of the appetizers and its really yummy. We caught our halibut when we were trying to fish for salmon, so they were small, they call them "chickens." Mine were probably in the 20-30 pound range. Usually you catch halibut when you're bottom fishing at like 200-300 feet and its a pain to drag them up because they're so far down. When you catch them at those depths they usually weigh anywhere between 80-180 pounds. When you catch them on salmon tackle its nice because they're usually only 40-50 feet down and reeling them in doesn't make you feel like your arm is going to fall off. The best thing about my whole day was that in the last spot that we were trying to catch salmon, we had two humpback whales that decided that they wanted to be in the same spot! One of them was about 50 feet away. Being that close to a whale is something that you can only experience. It was amazing and something that most people would only get to see on the Discovery channel. Apparently yesterday there was a whale that came into our cove here, which doesn't happen very often. Justin was telling me that the day before I went out a whale came up literally right next to the boat and blew snot all over everyone...gross, but still pretty incredible.

Lets see, I'm trying to think of what else is going on. Nothing really all that exciting. This place, as in Sarkar Cove here, is a very special place. Sarkar Cove, is in Sea Otter Sound, and it leads to Sarkar River, Rapids, and Lake. You can try to find it on a Prince of Wales Map, it will be on the Northwest side of the Isalnd. Aside from the lodge, the land and the whole environment is very spiritually charged. We find a lot of native artifacts like beads, arrowheads, pots, etc. etc. Its the kind of stuff that you know has been around for a very long time and must have an amazing story to tell, if only it could talk. I have to remind myself constantly to put aside all of the stress of work and customer service, and just sit and appreciate the beauty of where I am. Its really quite amazing. I feel like everyday I learn something new about myself and life. Its definately a growing experience.

I've had three job offers from guests since I've been bartending. I have to wonder how serious they were being because I'm just sitting there feeding them drinks, but its still pretty exciting. I don't think that it really counts when they're drawing your contract up on a cocktail napkin. One of the jobs was in Seattle, one in Texas, and another in San Fransico. Aside from job offers, I'm really working up my bartender skills. I make a mean margarita and one hell of a key lime pie martini. Along with that, I have quite the repitoire of dirty jokes due to the influx of manly fisherman that are constantly rolling in. I love being behind the bar. Its very fast paced but its fun to be able to chat it up with everyone. The group that's here now brought all they're own alcohol and a whole bunch of Maker's Mark. Whenever any one orders one, I think of Jerry Gallagher.

So that's really about all that's been going on. Tomorrow the girls and I are heading to the Naukati mud bog races. Naukati is like Buckley to Traverse City. The mud bog races are one of the only things that this place has going for them, it will definately be a cultural experience. Tomorrow Speed Network will be there filming for one of their TV shows, so if anyone has Speed Network, watch out for the mud bog races. Two guys from Naukati came to the lodge the other day to ask if "the hotties from the lodge could come be the trophy girls for the races." My boss just rolled his eyes and said he had work to do. Don't worry, I will not be handing out any trophies in my bikini in the mud tomorrow. I'll will make sure to keep you all updated on this event though!

I'm missing Traverse City terribly right now. Its my first time being away from Cherry Festival, Fourth of July, Polka Fest!, birthdays, blue angels, golf.......I could go on forever. I keep telling myself that its a once in a lifetime opportunity for me here and all of that stuff will always happen. But I still miss everyone and I send you all my love. If some one could try and send me a little Michigan warmth it would be greatly greatly appreciated

Love you all!
Caitlin