Summer in Stehekin: Day 2-5

Tuesday = Snoozeday

I slept for twelve hours. I know that sounds like a lot, but I needed it for sure. And I probably could've slept longer. When that alarm went off, I wasn't fully rested, but nevertheless I had to be at work. So off I went. Stehekin is awesome; retail work, not so much. But I knew that coming into the position. I will complain about this one thing. We have the most bizarre shifts. There's the opening shift: 8am-4pm and the closing shift: 11am-8pm. Now the opener gets a 30 minute break, but the closer gets an 90 minutes break. Why? You might ask. Well, because it's beneficial to have two people in the store during ferry times, which is 11am-2pm. While understandable, it doesn't make it any less annoying. So today, I'm working the closing shift.

Here's how a typical closing shift works:

11am: run around and help guests and ferry passengers

11:15am: answer questions (usually 'what time does the ferry leave? 12 pm. How far is Rainbow falls? 3.5 miles. Is this where we check in? yes it is. do you sell smoked salmon? No, but we have capers.)

11:30am: check in guests and ring up purchases (mostly trinkets that will probably get lost)

11:45am: answer more questions (when does the rainbow falls tour leave? You missed it. Where is the ranger station? Right up the road. Do you like living here? Absolutely!)

12pm: relax for a half hour, while the opener goes on break and we wait until 12:30 when the second ferry gets in

12:30pm: run around and help guests and ferry passengers

12:45pm: answer yet another round of questions (how much is a shuttle ticket? $7 one way. Can we make reservations to fly out instead? Yes, but they have limited availability. Is this the only store? Yes it is. Do you live here all year? No, just for the summer. 75 cents for a postcard? Yes.)

1pm: check in more guests and wonder if the last reservation is coming in on the 4pm plane

1:30pm: look at the clock and wonder why more people aren't heading towards the ferry

1:55pm: laugh, because you hear Mary over the walkie-talkie asking where the rainbow fall tour bus is, making sure it'll be back to make the ferry

2pm: sigh in relief and start refolding shirts

2:15pm: go on your 90-minute break! Where you will eat a quick lunch and take a nap that will turn out to be a mistake

3:45pm: return to work and help the opener with their deposit, aka sign off that the correct amount of money is there

4pm: prepare for the most boring night of your life…

4:30PM: ….

5pm: Help a stranded PCT hiker figure out a route around some bridge outages

5:30PM: Beer30! (where everyone comes to get their beer for the evening. Mostly co-workers buying 6packs and guests buying singles to drink on the deck)

6pm: …. Swept the floors… I think I stocked the fridge case…

7pm: Overheard Mary say there was WIFI on the deck! YES!

8pm: Closing time!

I know this makes me sound a little cynical, but truthful it is super boring and the questions are repetitive. But the people (save for a small few) are incredible! My co-workers are super friendly and inviting and the guests are genuinely thankful for your outstanding service. The PCT hiker I helped asked my boss directly how he can write a personal review of the hotel and me for my service. On my second day!

I'm sure that throughout the summer I will share horrible stories of really crappy guests. But I will try to balance it out with stories of amazing guests (which I will emphasize are closer to the norm). And of course I will throw in some silly stories too!

Wednesday = Another Day Another Dollar

Not much to say for Wednesday. Work. Spent too much time chatting with my husband and didn't have time to cook dinner so I ate a sandwich. Wish today was more interesting.

Thursday = Holy Thor's Day

Opening after you closed used to mean (in the BK world) leaving work at 1am and coming back at 6am. Here it's leaving at 8:30pm and being back at 7:45am. So definitely an improvement, but no less tiring. I occupied most of my day doing inventory, which is tedious to say the least. Mostly because there is stock stowed practically everywhere. But nevertheless it was an uneventful day. Until…

Taco Night! I bought a can of beans from the store and cooked up some quinoa and veggies, added some salsa and warmed up some tortillas. Bite number three, my permanent retainer comes loose. I push it down and keep eating. First mistake. Bite number four, my retainer is gone. Swallow. Oops.

Yes, you read that right. I swallowed a 1.5 inch piece of metal wire and I didn't even notice. So… Now what? I was eating with my roommate Diane who told me to see the NPS EMT. I decided to try the emergency lines for my dentist and orthodontist first. So I wandered back to the lodge to find my boss to tell her the situation. Well, her over anxious and severly sarcastic husband decided to ring the silent alarm for the town. Twenty minutes later, as Phil and I and two other employees are sitting on the deck, a light blue pickup comes barreling down the road and a sandy-haired woman comes racing up the steps.

"What's the emergency?" she says to Phil, who is reclining on the deck smoking a cigar.

Phil points to the small cut on his leg from several hours ago and says "I cut myself."

She laughs and I'm glad to see she's used to his twisted sense of humor. She takes me to the Medical Cache up at the park office and we sit down and begin a SAMPLE history (a medical recording acronym used to obtain pertinent information from the patient). Halfway through I began to anticipate the questions and that led her to ask if I was WFR. Well, yes, yes I am. (This will come back up in a second)

Apparently we have a direct line to the EMS and hospital in Chelan, so she called and asked about what I should do. Their answer? Drink lots of water and eat normally. People have swallowed worse. Made me feel a whole lot better to know that I wouldn't have to get airlifted out of Stehekin with an $8,000 helicopter bill. So if any issues arise, I'll take the ferry out and figure it out from there.

So the WFR thing. Sonja, the resident NPS EMT asked, since I was looking to volunteer with the park service this summer, if I was interested in being a volunteer EMT this summer. Hell yeah I'm interested! She has to contact her supervisor and I'll find out next week, but this could be a new door opening for me!

So there's exciting Thursday!

Friday = Funday

My first day off! What's a girl to do? Explore! I was originally going to go kayaking with Adam (head waiter) at 9am, but the wind was at it again. But it was clear and beautiful and warm and I knew I had to do something. So I threw my bike onto the 11:35am shuttle bus (which is free for employees) and travelled the hour to High Bridge camp. When I arrived, there were several people waiting for the bus. One, Joe, is a cook at the lodge with a rather colorful record (not going to say for what). The others? PCT HIKERS! My favorite! These three also did the AT in 2013! So we swapped trail names, some trail moments, and a bunch of smiles. Soon, the bus drove off, leaving me all alone 12 miles from town.

The PCT crosses directly through High Bridge (or close to directly through) and I decided to wander around a bit. So I left my bike against a bench and began to walk. Let me just say that it is… GORGEOUS! The Angus Creek cascades down through the gorge and the huckleberries are in bloom. I walked south of the PCT for about a mile then turned around, knowing that I could keep walking all the way to Mexico if I didn't stop. Someday…

So I started my bike back and boy is that not the funnest ride ever! And yes, funnest is a word. Right out of High Bridge the road takes a steep downhill for about a mile and its fast and fun. Perfect way to warm up my bike. The rest has some fun downs, some relaxing flats, and some quad-busting ups. All together: amazing ride! Here's some pictures:

High Bridge

Trailhead: Left for South of the PCT

Mount McGregor in all his glory!

Gorgeous little pink flowers on the PCT

This adventurer loves the view!

Take two steps, eat a huckleberry. Repeat 100x

Now entering...

Some of the best downhills to the best views!

I decided to stop at the bakery on my way back. Apparently the bakery is renowned for its delicious sweets. Unfortunately for me, I can only have like two things. But that wild rice salad and coconut iced Chai with three sourdough rolls was delicious! Second stop on the way back as to the Garden. Owned my local, Carl, the garden is an all organic farm which sells to the locals. I'm a local now, so I got some delicious butter lettuce and bok choy fresh off the stem and yummy cherries from Chelan. Both places do running tabs for locals. Now I just have to make sure not to run them up too high, lol!

Wild rice salad with sourdough rolls and a coconut milk Chai!

I made a quick stop at the lodge before going home and I'm glad I did. The night wait staff and cooks were panicking because we had 52 people in house and they didn't think they would have enough people to manage the dinner shift. So I volunteered to be their dishwasher. Well, they gladly accepted. I'm glad I did too. They got slammed and I'm not sure what they would've down without me. I got to play hostess, waitress, and dishwasher. And they tipped me too! Four hours of paid work and $20 in tips! I'll volunteer any day!

Best photo of the day! Rainbow Falls!

But now I'm exhausted and ready to crawl into bed. I was going to merge today (Saturday) in with this post, but I'll have to update that later. Wishing you were all here!

Summer in Stehekin: Day 1

Day of Surprises!

Day one started on three hours of sleep at four o'clock in the morning. With too much to remember to pack, heavy eyelids, and too few moments with my husband, we packed up the truck, picked up my in-laws and began the two hour trek to Chelan. An uneasy feeling settled into the pit of my stomach during the car ride. My husband and I unable to intimately express the deep feelings of loss that would occur in only a few hours, made the parting quiet and sad. But I knew he supported my decision to come here wholeheartedly and that made my last glance towards him that much more meaningful.

June 15, 2015 couldn't have been a more beautiful day. The skies were completely clear of clouds and there was a light breeze as the boat steamed up-lake. I was told there was another employee (Carly, I know right!?) but I never met her. I spent the boat ride sitting on the outside deck, wind in my hair, my adventure anthems blaring through my earbuds. As American Authors' "Best Day of My Life" started playing, I couldn't help the childish grin from creeping up on my face. I was setting out on the adventure of a lifetime and Stehekin couldn't appear fast enough.

Greeted immediately by Mary Martin, head of Housekeeping, I instantly felt the Stehekin magic that surrounds all of its inhabitants, whether permanent or seasonal. She led me to my immediate boss, Mary Weaver, Alaskan veteran and general manager, who showed me to my house. Now, I was under the impression that I was going to be 3.5 miles away from the lodge (which is right off the boat) and I would need to bike to work every day. So imagine my surprise when Mary led me not two hundred yards from the lodge, announcing, "You'll be staying in my house!"

Of course the question, 'Where will you stay?' was first out of my mouth, closely followed by 'Why?' She told me that her husband had stepped down as GM and had taken a job in Alaska (3 weeks on, 3 weeks off) and she didn't need that much space. She'd moved into a smaller A-frame on the lodge property instead. And why? Well, apparently, I was the only person Mary hired. Everyone else on staff was hired by her husband. So I guess that makes me special. Mary does treat me like a daughter…

Not complaining in the slightest, I scurry into the house to my own room (okay, it’s a loft) and set down my stuff. We grab her car and she and one of the chefs helps my unload my gear. With three hours until I'm to report to work, I set about unpacking my things. There is a sun room attached to my room, but I imagine it will get warm there. But I quickly learn that leaving the window open and directing my fan through the door, cool air is in plentiful supply.

I briefly met my first roommate, Klis, who seemed quiet and reserved. Diane, my other roommate (both are in their late 40's) is the complete opposite. We share the second floor of the house and I'm glad we do. She's talkative, slightly abrasive, and awesome. I might be closer in age with the other employees, who are stuck in a rundown cabin further up the road, but I clicked with Diane instantly. She helped me make room in the fridge and cupboard for my food and we chatted about our colorful pasts.

Meeting people like Diane makes me appreciate the luxury and difficulties of living on seasonal work. I imagine it is frowned upon by people who believe in a 9-5 desk job, mortgage, and family out of college, but the carefree, adventurous nature of seasonal appeals to people like me. I love knowing something fun and crazy awaits me. It definitely makes me glad I'm young and able to explore these opportunities.

My Room!

Deep thoughts aside, I was eager to be thrown into work and I hurried up to the lodge at three. I got the tour of the store, met one of two of my co-workers, Collin, and set about learning the computer. I worked until 8:30 pm and went home. The work was easy. I picked up on everything fairly quickly. In truth, the work wasn't anything harder than JCP, BK, and general customer service. Did get to meet some interesting people though (story of the summer, I'm sure).

At home, I made dinner (potato bowl!) and began reading one of the two books a brought along. I didn't get very far, considering I'd slept very little the past few days. Knowing I didn't have to work until eleven the next day, I eagerly laid down at ten, firmly intent on sleeping for twelve hours. Which I did.

So day of surprises? Finding out my house is close to work and I have a room to myself was awesome. But finding out there is a 24/7 employee computer took the cake! So let's see how tomorrow goes, shall we?

View from my Front Porch!

Summer in Stehekin: Here I Go!

Trying to get sleep before a life altering trip is like remembering you left the straightener on after leaving the house. You spend the whole day hoping your house doesn't burn down and praying the auto-off actually works. Well, as I lay there, staying at the ceiling, wondering what I was going to forget, I had a moment of panic. What if I couldn't do this? What if I couldn't be away from my husband? What if I got fired? But amongst all the negativity, a calm settled into my heart. I was being silly. I know there will be difficult moments this summer, but I'm going to gain so much that any doubts I have will quickly disappear.

But that's not to say that I'm not freaking out right now...

We did manage to leave the house at 5:30 this morning, although I forgot something at the house and we had to turn around. Then get gas. Then get food. So 6 am rolls around and we're on the road, driving east on I-90. And I couldn't have asked for a better send-off from central WA.

Now I'm on the boat. I talked with my mom and teared up when I said goodbye to my husband. The parting is bittersweet. I know a seperating will help us grow as a couple, but I will miss him terribly. So, before I cry again, I will give you some pictures and sign off for now. A two hour boat ride and four exciting months are ahead of me!

Summer in Stehekin: Pre-Departure Update

Hello Friends and Family!

We are at the one week mark for my departure to Stehekin, Washington for four months and I have a few announcements and tidbits of information for everyone.

1. Stehekin is a very (emphasis on 'very') primitive/remote place. It sits on the northern end of Lake Chelan, 54 miles from the city of Chelan. (Interesting fact: Lake Chelan is the 3rd deepest lake in the country). There are no roads leading to Stehekin. The only way to access the town is by ferry or sea plane (or walking, but that's really far...) The town actually sits within the boundaries of North Cascades National Park, which is super cool! Because of its remoteness, there is no cell service available and I will not have regular access to internet as well. I realize that this my make some people nervous or say things like "I could never do that!" but if you know me, you understand me and that this IS exciting for me. There are things I will have to get used to, but I'll looking forward to disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with myself.

2. Because I won't have access to normal communication, email and snail mail will be the best ways to contact me. Since there are no grocery stores in Stehekin, I will be emailing my food orders to Chelan once a week or every other week, so this is when I will be checking my email. I will be posting an address as soon as I have one. If there is any emergency, please contact my parents or my husband first before contacting me, since they will know the emergency phone numbers for my employer. Anything else you wish to send, can be mailed to PO Box 74 Stehekin, WA 98852 or emailed to carlynsaunders@gmail.com.

3. I love mail! Once I have an actual address I will make sure to post it on Facebook and here on my blog. I would appreciate letters and postcards, which I will make sure to return with some gorgeous shots of where I will be staying. If you wish to send some kind of care package, I will be a little picky. Calling cards, stamps, and small food items are probably the best things I can get. Please keep in mind, however, that I am vegan and do not consume or use any product that contains animal products or has been tested on animals. Some food items that I enjoy that I won't have easy access to are: dried fruit, nuts, vegan chocolate, and LARABars. Keep in mind that anything you send will sit on a boat for an additional two-four hours before reaching me.

4. BLOGGING! So I will be updating this blog (hopefully) weekly, documenting my adventures. I am hoping that when I need to send in my food orders, I will be able to quickly upload blog posts as well as check email. So if you want to follow me this summer, you can submit your email address on the right side of this blog site (FOLLOW BY EMAIL) and you'll get updates whenever I post something new. I have another blog that I hope to update fairly regularly as well, regarding my journey into veganism. I will be posting recipes and essays on living with strangers and being vegan as well as living remotely and being vegan. That blog is: For the Love of a Vegan. SO please follow me and I will reward you with epic uploads! (If I can't update it, I will be sending the blog posts to my sister, who will upload everything for me.)

That's all for now folks. Thank you all for your support in this adventure. I want to specifically thank my wonderful husband, who without his constant support and love, I would not be preparing for the summer of my life. It will be very hard to be separated for him for so long, but I know it will only make our relationship stronger. Secondly, I would like to thank my parents and sister. They have always stood behind me in everything I do and they urged me to pursue this amazing opportunity and now that I'm going, they couldn't be happier. I hope everyone has a terrific summer (I know I will) and I'll catch you all on the flip side!