Hello from the 49th state!

Well, I made it here! The only hitch in the journey was at the Santa Barbara airport where it took sometime to figure out how I could bring the arrows on the plane. Couldn't check them (too big for my bags) or carry them on (weapons, obviously). Finally the Alaska Airlines rep and I agreed that they were actually fishing gear (I promised to shoot a salmon) and so I was able to check them without extra cost.

I am now pretty settled here, and able to reflect back on my first week here. But first perhaps I should set the scene. Imagine a small frontier town (think Laura Ingalls Wilder's later stories), only a couple houses on a dirt road, all small and made with the materials available. Everything big has to be brought in by barge, so it is quite an accomplishment to have things like fooseball tables. Thus entertainment is simple (the kids spend hours on the tire swings) and life is hard.

I have been kept busy helping in the kitchen preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals for the 89 people who are here for family camp. It is tough work! I am often put to shame by my coworkers, two 75 year old ladies who persevere when I am quite willing to escape and let the dishes wash themselves. Tomorrow is Sunday, but there is no rest for the wicked...that is we cooks. People still must eat. Today we were blessed by the arrival of 4 guys from a military type EMT school from Texas who have cheerfully taken over the washing of dishes (they serenade us with funny military songs while they wash).

Earlier in the week I enjoyed a hike up the local mountain and the company of some of the resident Kako kids, Selena, Darren, Ida and Kayleen. I hope to be able to post some fun pictures of us soon. Meanwhile enjoy this one of the cabins at Kako. This is where some of the families visiting are staying, although almost as many are tucked in to every nook and cranny in the rest of the camp.