Bailey Bay Hike 1 of 4

Ok - I finally had a few minutes to upload some photos from my hike at Bailey Bay. This was a few weeks ago, but was one of the best days spent up here in Alaska. It was a gorgeous hike with good friends, lots of adventure and a hot springs too!

July 17, 2009

We left Yes Bay around 10 a.m. and it was cold and rainy. There were 7 of us on the hike: Nicky, her boyfriend visiting from Hawaii, Josy, PJ, Joel and me. From here, we took a boat 20 minutes back to Bailey Bay. We also had to bring a raft to row into the bay since it was too shallow for the boat. (See photo 1)

From there, we followed the trail up and around and back. It was a better trail that the one we have around the Lodge, so that was nice. It was also more exciting, as we got to hike through streams and waterfalls. (See picture 3 and picture 4 - where we all posed on the waterfall) Good thing they had ropes tied up so we could hang on.

About 1/2 hour into the hike, you can walk out onto the top of this huge waterfall. (See picture 5 and 6 (with all of us)) This was amazing...we were so far up and even though it was raining and foggy, the view was still amazing.

On the other side of the waterfall was this gorgeous lake. (picture 7) The actual hike takes you all along the bank of the lake and winds you back into another bay where the hot springs are located. However, being the adventurous, or stupid individuals that we are. (We can blame it on being young), we found a canoe and decided it would be faster than walking. Then we proceeded to put all 7 of us, with our packs into the canoe and rowed along the shore instead. (I would guess that we shaved off a good hours worth of walking, which gave us more time at the hot springs, so that is good.) (See photo 8 of all of us in the canoe, and picture 9 is a shot of the lake - beautiful!)

After disembarking from the trip down the lake, we had to hike a bit further (see photo 10) until we got to the lean-to by the hot springs. (Photo 11, 12, 13) Since we packed in a huge lunch, drinks and beer, we decided to have lunch! Joel made us a bon fire (so we could attempt to dry our clothes out a little bit) and we chowed down!
Then we got our swimsuits on and headed for the hot springs. The hot springs were cool because the hot water actually comes down a series of waterfalls until it pools into a rock basin that has been built up on the side with rocks. Then it turns into a hot tub! (See picture 14 of all of us sitting in the hot tub.)
Now, since it's a natural hot spring, it smells like sulfur (i.e. rotten eggs), so, once everyone got nice and hot, we had to run down to the nearby stream and wash off so we wouldn't itch all the way back home. What a shocker that was - the water was freezing cold - worse than the ocean water - take your breath away - toes numbing cold water (I'm sure due to ice melt!) In photo 15 you can see the guys tip-toeing into the water and complaining about how cold it was! Then of course, us gals decided we had to be cool and just run and dive right in! (I mentioned the water was cold, right?)

After drying off and getting our still-wet clothes back on, we headed back. This time it really poured raining! Oh well.

Half way back we decided we wanted to see the bottom of the waterfall instead of the top. (This is stupid move #2) So, we follow Joel and PJ off the path and all the way down to the river. Once we finally made it, the view was great. (See photo 16) Now, the trip back up the hill to the trail (which we were all just PRAYING we would find back again) wasn't so pleasant and there was a lot of complaining going on!
But, we found the path and made it back to the pick-up spot right on time at 4 p.m.
(See photo 17 - the survivors!)

Hope you enjoyed the story and photos!
Luv from AK!

Bailey Bay Hike 2 of 4

Bailey Bay Hike 3 of 4

Bailey Bay Hike 4 of 4

My new tattoo

July 29, 2009

Yes, I'm posting about my new tattoo...and yes, I realize how incredibly cheesy/tacky it might be. However, I wanted to show all of my family and close friends since I'm a million miles away.

The design was created by PJ - the dishwasher here at the lodge. He majored in art in college and did this incredible watercolor of 3 forget-me-nots for me, which is what the tattoo design came from.

It was done by Angel at Island Ink (Yes, Lance, this is the same place that I could also by my 9 mil. from! LOL)

PJ came with me for moral support and to hold my hand - what a sweetie huh! Plus, I think he got a kick out of me using his art to permanently mark my body!

It wasn't nearly as painful as I expected given that it is placed on the back of my neck, so that is good.

The only downside so far, is that it's hot and sunny here and I can't be in the sun, or go swimming with it for the next 7 days!

Hope you enjoy the photos:
The first, is of me getting ready to get the tattoo....
The second photo is PJ looking scared/nervous for me.
The third photo PJ took during the tattoo; the fourth is when we were all finished, and the fifth is of PJ and I on Creek Street in Ketchikan. (Since we had to walk through town to get ice cream when I was done!)

Luv from AK!

Jumping off the ramp

July 27, 2009

I didn't realize that I had these pictures, but since I do, I thought I would share. This is how we spent yesterday afternoon. Once again - on the dock - jumping in the water, laying on tubes, and working on our tan. Then, when the tide got a little higher, we jumped off the ramp into the water. VERY COOL! Too bad no one got one of me the couple of times that I did it :-(

Oh well. It was still a rock'n way to spend an Alaskan afternoon.

(This is Joel and PJ - the two guys from Minnesota!)

Luv from AK!

My Alaskan Hottie

Okay, due to popular demand...here is my "Dewey Post" and photos.

(I'm even in a couple, so you know I'm not making the whole story up! LOL!)

For those of you who don't know....here's the story (the short version):

My side: I arrived, checked him out on the dock and was instantly too nervous to think of anything to say around him (Yes, that's right - ME not have anything to say!). Spent the better half of the next month trying to not look stupid when he was around.

His side: I arrived, he checked me out and was instantly too nervous to say anything to me. (I don't even think he managed to introduce himself!) But, he spent the next month coming in the office 3 times a day to get soda so he could see me!

Then our coworkers caught on, and clued him in (evidently my flirting skills need some work!)

After that we started hanging out and are having a lot of fun! We've even been on a few dates (Yes Bay style, that is). He's taken me to check crab and shrimp pots, and to the back bay to watch the sunset.

Other details:
He grew up in Washington, but has lived all around Alaska over the last 10 or so years. He's worked at Yes Bay for the past 5 years, and spent last winter out here as one of the caretakers. This year, he runs the dock.
He's 100% outdoors/hunting/fishing/Alaska guy who can rock a pair of Carharts. (Jeeze...I can't believe I would ever say that!)

Luv from AK!

Mow the lawn...

This is Kenny - He's our youngest employee at 18 and he is our "no job too shitty" go-to guy! He will do any of the hard, nasty and gross jobs without complaint. In fact, he even volunteers for them! So when I walked out back yesterday and saw him mowing the lawn with a mower -circa 1960's, I just had to get a photo!

I guess I should explain that at the beginning of the season we had Scottie, the chef, mow the lawn with the brand new lawnmower-he volunteered. However, Scottie had never mowed a lawn before! With the rocky terrain and massive tree roots all over, he ended up completely frying the mower. (As in, dead, gone and beyond repair!) He also managed to mow over the boss's Internet and cable wires chopping them into about 12 pieces. (NOT a good situation, although we laugh about it now.)

Since that little escapade, the guys have been scared to mow the backyard, so Kenny decided it would be better to use the push mower instead! Kenny, I'm sure you got a work out, and I was entertained (especially since I've never seen one of these babys in action before!

Luv from AK!

Fun In the Sun

July 26, 2009 -

We had another gorgeous day here at Yes Bay, warm temperatures and lots of sun. Since this is a rare occurrence around here, everyone headed to the dock to enjoy it! (That's picture #1)

Art pulled people on the tube with his jet ski, we floated around the dock, and worked on our Alaskan suntan! Since spending sunny afternoons on the water is one of my favorite things to do, it made for a wonderful afternoon!

In the second picture, Art is getting set to give Scottie a tube ride. Scottie is 33 and this is his first time on a tube! Jill and I had a tube ride too. We rode double, so we didn't stay on too long and holy smokes was the water cold!
After that, I floated around the dock with Michaela and Saylor (the owner's two little girls. Michaela is 11 and Saylor is 2 or 3.)

The best part...the weather is only supposed to get warmer for the next 4 days!

Luv from AK!

Deer Mt

July 20, 2009 - My attempt at Deer Mt.

While I was in Ketchikan I promised Jill (my roommate, the lodge baker, and expert hiking fanatic) that I would hike Deer Mt with her. (WOW - BIG mistake!)

The hike up the mountain starts at the edge of town, and is about 2.5 miles to the top. There is an overlook 1 mile up, the second mile is a marked trial, and the rest is somewhat of a trail, but more up to you. However, on a clear day, you can see out over the whole town and I guess it's a spectacular view. You also get to have a snowball fight at the top if you want since there is still snow up there.

However, the day we choose to hike, it was pouring rain all day. Jill and I were staying at a hostel on the opposite end of town, so by the time we left (at 8 am), grabbed coffee on the way, and made it to the trail head, it was about 10 and we were soaking wet!

Oh well....time to hike. Well, the hike was all up hill of course, and I had to stop about every 10 minutes to catch my breath. Not only was it cold and non-stop rain, but we couldn't see anything because of the fog. (This is the point where I've classified hiking with running in the "things I don't like to do, but do anyways for the sake of a nice butt, or not being a fun hater.")

So, I made it to about the 2 mile overlook and turned around. (Sorry Jill!) Maybe next time with better weather I can be convinced to keep going.

The hike itself was pretty good - it was a well-kept trail (a lot of shale rock) and logs to create steps on the steep parts. It was very wet and would have been even without the rain since the water runs down the mountain along the trail. (I would recommend a pair of Xtra Tuff boots for the hike!)

I've posted a few photos of the hike - enjoy.
(The first photo is the trail, the second is of a small waterfall. The third is looking into the forest down the mountain. The fourth is the trail map and the fifth is Jill and I!)

Love from AK!

A few days in Ketchikan

July 19-21: My trip into Ketchikan

With a few days off from the lodge, I went into Ketchikan with Jill and Linda.

Since Linda is a local, we knew every bartender in town by the time we left to return to the lodge. Besides hanging out at the Arctic Bar and meeting the locals, Jill and I got to walk around town, Creek Street (which was once the town's "red light" district where most of the buildings came with trap doors in the floors for bootlegged liquor that would come via boat up the river at high tide), and see the sites.

We also hiked Deer Mt. (but that is for another post!)

The first photo is the town sign, which is located amongst the tourist shops down by the cruise ship docks.

The second photo is my favorite view of the town, where you can see the homes on the hillside above the harbor.

The third photo is the Arctic Bar - famous for their "happy bears" logo.

The fourth photo is of the Gilmore hotel (where I stayed the first night I was in town) and Annabells, the local chowder house.
Lastly, a photo of Creek Street (at high tide). This is another one of my favorite areas of town. When the salmon start running it's fun to watch them, but it makes everything smell like dead fish!

That's all for now.

Love from AK!

Furry Friends

Check out the brown bear we saw the other night. It was across Wolverine River, right outside the lodge. We watched it do some fishing.

(So far, no close encounters, so that is good!)

Love from AK!

My First Float Plane Ride

July 18, 2009

Well, I left for Ketchikan early - instead of leaving the morning of the 19th and getting to go to town by boat, we were able to fly to town the evening of the 18th. Which made this, my very first float plane ride. (The first picture is of the plane landing in Yes Bay.)

We flew Pacific Airways, in a Beaver (which holds 6 people) and I got to ride in the front.

Icing on the cake was when Kevin asked the pilot to take us into town the back way so we got to fly through the mountains instead of just straight into the bay.

I was suprised at what a smooth flight it was, even through the mountains, and on landing! The entire flight took us about 20-25 minutes (instead of 50 minutes by boat!)

What a fabulous way to get to town.

Hope you enjoy the photos.