Midnight Sun

Busy, Fun and Full would be the words I would use to describe my May month at the Kenai Backcountry Lodge.  Myself and the other staff got to the lodge early to get the property ready after almost two years of no guest.  I was able to put my years of landscaping, wood chopping, dish washing and bathroom cleaning to work.  

Even though lots of hours were spent working we also had time to play.  We went on hikes up to the tundra, kayaking trips on the lake and overnight camping trip.  Some of our favorite activities at the lodge are having beach campfires in the midnight sun, swimming in the glacier filled lake and wildlife hunting from our front decks.  

Guest started to arrive at the end of May.  My job as one of the boat captains is primarily to pick up the guest at one end of Skilak lake after they have rafted down the Kenai river.  After loading them on the vessel, Alaska Nellie, I deliver them to our backcountry lodge.  After two days of adventures in the backcountry they come back on Alaska Nellie and get carried across the lake on to the next part of their adventure.  

Beside maintaining and driving the boats I get to take the recycling, garbage and empty propane tanks to one of our other lodges which is about 45 mins away from Skilak lake.  Living in the backcountry we are living off solar panels and propane.  I get to refill the propane tanks and carry the heavy tanks many different times getting back to their home.  I get to do dishes and basically anything else that needs to be done around the property.  I love the variety in the job.  

I am looking forward to some more time exploring Alaska and enjoying the midnight sun. 

Lots of joy, Gillian