It's time to leave...

The day I've dreaded is finally here. How can I say goodbye to this family???

Willie and I finish packing and find ourselves fighting with each other over silly things. After lunch we realize that we are both having a hard time leaving. We know we have to go back and we know our Albuquerque family is missing us and there is a busy week waiting for us but we just don't want to leave this wonderful place and the terrific people.

Lunch is over and our suitcases are waiting by the door. I'm frantically trying to upload all the pictures onto the Lodge computer but I can't get it done. There are so many and don't have the resources to copy them! I should be spending these last few minutes with people - not technology! I think I have 2 more hours, I can do this! Kristina comes in the lodge and announces that the plane is on the way and will be here in 20 minutes! I give up, I'll send the files another way - later.

Everyone is on the way to the dock. There are 9 of us leaving today. 6 have just been there one week. Diane has been there two. Us - 5 weeks. The float plane will bring the guests for next week and take the departing staff. I've seen this happen many times... There are hugs and tears and more hugs and more tears and lots of pictures being taken. Now it's time for me to be getting on the plane. Our plane can only hold 6 of us, including the pilot. Willie gets in first and sits up front. Then he hollers for me to get in - WAIT I NEED TO HUG KRISTINA AND SHAY AND AURORA AND MAXINE AGAIN!  But I'm being pushed to the ladder... Linda gets in next to me, Diane next to her... we are squished but a little wiggling and we fit. Then Lynn gets in the back with the luggage and fish.  Off we go! I'm waving the best I can but I don't think anyone even sees us leave... I'm crying.

The float plane takes off and I'm fascinated by the ocean I've been fishing on for the last 45 days! I try to take pictures but the card is full ! ? ! I start looking at the pictures and see that Shay has taken my camera and taken pictures of everyone for me! I love that girl!

Chad, Diane, Becky and Rick

Lynn and Linda

Me and Maxine

Me, Diane and Maxine

Me and Shay!

Shay with Linda

Shay with Willie

Shay with Mitchell

Shay with Autumn

Shay with Jacob

Shay with Kohle

Shay with Devin

Shay with Puppy and Aurora (Almost)

Oh, Shay with Autumn, again!

Shay with Maxine

Shay with Canyon

Shay with Diane

Just my Shay

The staff waving to the incoming plane - Becky, Shay, Bill, Diane, Dave and Kristina

Maxine zips the puppy into Aurora's jacket

Still waving to the plane. Jacob, Canyon, Autumn and Kohle

With Mitchell - our other son

and Jacob, our other son

And Kohle, Autumn, Jacob, Mitchell and Canyon - the other kids!

and with Mark Jr., our other son, too!

click on this to make it bigger, the white splashes are whales!

wait... is he reading a map???

One last batch of pictures from that day... The plane, the pilot, the whales and the fish boxes.

Saturday before we leave Alaska

We leave our little island on Sunday and I'm thinking about all the things I've seen and learned and know now. I'm afraid to say goodbyes! I've made so many new friends. It's hard to even comprehend that we were all brand new to Alaska, Doc Warners, and each other 5 weeks ago. Now I have 5 more daughters and 8 or 9 sons! And so many new great friends!

The "Permanent Staff" gave us a little going away party of sorts. Mitchell came and got us as we were packing Saturday night and took us to the "Gazebo". All of the permanent staff was there waiting for us! They yelled, "SURPRISE!!!" when we came thru the door. Kristina told us how much they loved us and how much a part of the family we were and they gave us each a Doc Warner's T-Shirt wrapped in twine with two "Hoochies" (one dark green and one light green), an Alaskan Christmas Ornament and hand written notes from everyone! Maxine made the card by hand! She is so super talented!

We shared and laughed and hugged and cried. We told them how impressed we were with the young staff and how hard they work without complaining. And the older staff that works just as tirelessly! We told them how impressed we were with the leadership - Kristina and Mark. We told Doc and Linda that we loved the property and all they've done with it and we could see the vision they had so many years ago when they started Doc Warner's!

I went to sleep smiling and crying at the same time! I don't want to leave this beautiful place and all these terrific people but I need to get home to my other family!

Two terrible boat rides

Saturday after the guests left the staff had a fishing derby contest. The winners would be the ones who brought in the most legal fish (to the legal limit), the biggest, the most species, etc. There were 4 to a boat and we had to be back at the lodge by 2:59 to qualify. Bill, Diane, Willie and I started out across the ocean to our favorite fishing spots - Mary's and No Mans, but we were just past the "Green Bouy". The weather starting getting rough, our tiny ship was tossed, if not for the skill of our fearless crew our blue minnow would be lost. We started out fine but the wind kicked up and the waves started growing and then BAM! our engine stopped! We were being tossed and flipped and rolled with the waves! We hit our emergency "Spot On" to call for help. After we were sure help was on the way Willie and Bill started looking at the engine to see if they could get it going again. Mean while I am getting seriously sea sick! I'm looking around at the landscape and planning my place to hurl cuz I'm gonna!

Diane was on the phone calling for help and putting on her life jacket! I'm doing deep breathing. The boat is rolling with the deep waves and it's getting worse by the second! Willie and Bill are holding on to the boat while looking at the engine when Willie discovers that a cotter pin is missing from some where deep inside! They put their heads together and rig a hook to hold in place of the cotter pin! Genius!

The engine roars to life and we turn around and head for home - slowly at first then when it seems that the jimmy rig will hold Bill hits the accelerator and pushes on hard - only problem with that is we are being tossed around and banged around the inside of the boat. We are holding on for dear life! Truly! I'm looking down at my lap to keep the rain out of my suit but I can see Willie and Diane fly out of their seats! I thought Willie was going over the end of the boat! I was praying Bill would slow down but we had to get out of that storm! When the boat is in the air between waves and then crashes down to the water it makes this horrible BAM! and your spine jams and your teeth smash together and your head feels like it might fly off! Finally I decided to put on my life jacket - I was sure I was going over board! I was scared!  I convince Willie to put on his life jacket as well! I though we were gonners!
Finally we get home and I can't wait to get out of that boat! We get honorable mention for getting back to the lodge first! I was just so happy to be back at all!


Then today it started raining and it rained and rained and rained! We have 150 pounds of Halibut already to bring home so we are trying to get a box or two of Salmon. Salmon is caught by "Trolling". You put this extensive jig of hooks and shiny things on your fishing line, put the boat engine in slow motion, drop the jig in the water and let out 150 feet of so of line and wait for a Salmon to see it while you are driving around the ocean. No salmon ever see my jig. It's boring and it's raining and I'm cold and I wanna go home! When I get 'home' I discover that all my clothes are soaking wet because my rain jacket leaks!

No pictures from either day, I can't get it out of my rubber pants the first day because I'm holding on to the seat for dear life and I can't today because it's pouring down rain and there isn't anything to take a picture of!

I think I'm done with fishing.

You know you’ve been to Doc Warners…

• If you feel comfortable wearing rubber pants in front of other people

• If you know how to tuck your pants in your socks so they'll fit in your boots

• When you take a shower you have to hold on to the wall because you are sure it’s moving!

• If you’ve had the same sandwich for 14 days straight!
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• If you’ve listened to KC singing in the kitchen
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• When you find fish scales in the weirdest places
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• If you have 10,000 “no see ‘em” bites on your forehead
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• If you can’t tell the difference from a hummingbird and a mosquito
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• If your car is bigger than your bedroom
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• If you have gigantic thigh muscles from climbing all the stairs
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• If you know who Keith from Uno is
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• When the new staff and guests smell really good!
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• When your room smells like fish and sea water
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• If you have stumbled down the hall in the middle of the night to use the bathroom without any lights
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• If it’s “Lights Out” at 10:30 but it’s still daylight outside
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• If you are in the shower at “Lights Out” and can still wash and dry everything!
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• If you know where the quarter bucket is to do laundry
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• When you start quoting Russell
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• When you’ve been here – at a fishing resort - all summer and haven’t eaten any fish!
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• If you know the difference between “Burn Trash” and “Slop”
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• If you have a water bottle with your name on it
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• If you learned how to tile and grout this summer
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• If your other shoes are still rain boots
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• If you have seen or used a Halibut Bat
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• If you have seen or used a Halibut Bat to take out your frustrations
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• If you have a picture of you holding a “Double Ugly”
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• If you’ve pulled up a rock with your anchor
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• If you’ve know what a “Yellow Eye” looks like and you can still sleep at night!
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• If you didn’t recognize Mitchell after his haircut
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• If you saw Devin’s fish haircut
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• If you can gauge the weather by looking at the sea
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• If you are looking forward to getting your 2012 Survivor Pin
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• When your prized possession is your rain gear!
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• If you learned to drive a tractor and forklift this summer
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• When you know the right spot to get the best cell service for your phone
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• When your boat breaks down in 7 foot waves and the Coast Guard Helicopter flies right on by
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• When you think all Sea Lions are looking for Bill
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• If you know how to bonk Halibut
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• If you know that fish have ear bones and you’ve taken some home so you can make jewelry for someone when you get home
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• If you’ve hooked a big Halibut, the shark hook breaks and the sea lion fights you for the fish. Oh wait, that just Bill
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• You’ve seen Mitch’s giggy fillet
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• If the dock boys greet you with, “How many!”
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• You are eating really great cookies
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• If you learned why you spray the waffle iron with Pam each and every time
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• If you’ve seen so many bald eagles that it’s not that amazing anymore
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• When you’ve been in the presence of a Sleeper Shark
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• When you can read a map of the ocean
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• When you can program a favorite fishing spot into your GPS
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• If you know interesting facts about the ocean thanks to Kristina’s “Did Ya Know!”
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• If you’ve seen a Mitch Video
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• If you know where Harris Hall is
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• If you have a Doc Warner’s Staff hat
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• When you use deodorant but still smell like fish
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• If you now know what a Pine Marten is
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• When you’re getting dressed and you put on sunscreen and a rain coat

• If you know who Muk Muk is

The world according to Russell

Russell is child number 3 of the Warner's. He's very intelligent, curios and inventive. He's 11.

One of the neighbors has a goose but the goose likes Russell so it visits here often. The goose's name is Muk Muk because that's the sound he makes when he's talking. Muk Muk showed up about 2 weeks ago. Willie, Karl, Kathy and I were heading out to fish when this goose comes flying at the boat! Willie ducks and the goose crash lands in the ocean on the other side of our boat! He squawks at us but paddles on his way.

Later that evening we are back at the lodge and there is this funny brown goose playing with the children and Papa Mark. They are feeding the goose bread crumbs and the goose is eating and pecking at everyone. He starts following the kids around and they start making plans to keep him! They built him a fort on the balcony with a cardboard box, an old blanket and lots of greens for him to eat. He climbed up the stairs and sat there while the kids fussed over him. Lots of pictures were taken that day!

He was gone the next day and the children had to clean up where the goose had pooped from all the stuff they were feeding him! Needless to say they didn't like that goose to much anymore!

In the meantime the neighbor, Keith, who lives about an hour south by boat texts Papa Mark asking if he had seen Keith's missing goose! Mark assures Keith that the goose is fine and well taken care of. That's where we learned that his name is Muk Muk.

So Muk Muk comes and goes as he pleases but soon finds that Russell is his best friend and follows him around like a little puppy. Every where you see Russell you'll find Muk Muk close by.

There is a small chicken coop on the property and Russell likes to put Muk Muk there at night. Russell picks the goose up, carries him across the bridge to the coop and puts him to bed each night. Everyday Russell and Muk Muk have adventures together. Yesterday Russell took his little boat, dragged it up to a high spot near the burn pile and filled it with water so Muk Muk could swim around. Well silly Muk Muk loves his little bird bath and spends a long time washing and preening everyday!

Muk Muk climbs the stairs and opens the door to the dining room if Russell doesn't return soon enough! No one else can really touch Muk Muk, he's a goose after all and he will peck the heck out of you! But Russell can pick him up and carry him everywhere!

Grandma Warner said that Muk Muk should be set free and that made Russell very sad so thru tears he typed up this story about Muk Muk.  I'll type it letter for letter, hopefully you will see how sad he was.

Muk Muk

By: Russell L. Warner

June Tuesday, 2012

We were driving to the canary (cannery) on a boat. A week early I met Muk Muk. Muk Muk is a Canadian goose. Our friend Keith owns him in Hunua, Alaska. One day Muk muk flied to Doc Warners Alaska fishing. He was the kindliest goose ever in the world. Keith texted my dad if he has seen a goose. My dad said he has a goose with him! Keith said that if he responds to Muk muk. Of couse he did so we kept him for a will. We played for ever but then my grandma Warner let him loose. I said that we should keep him for 14 more days. in 14 more days it will be time for my wrestling camp, But they said no. I will never forget Muk muk ever. He will always flow me any were. We are best friends forever!

The End

Muk Muk is still around and everyone seems fine unless he tries to come in the lodge again!

Russell also built a ping pong table for two and charges 25 cents per game. The table is under the lodge in the crawl space. It's just the right size for him but it's really to short for most people. He's very proud of his ping pong table!

Russell is not old enough to captain a boat but that doesn't stop him! He's quite a seaman and finds a way to help you steer your vessel. Before long you will find yourself standing to the side while Russell steers the boat!

Russell loves dessert! Especially ice cream but any old dessert will suit him fine and he LOVES canned peaches so that's the first thing on his plate any time they are offered!

Russell is a find marksman too. He didn't much like the crow eating the shark so he took his .22 rifle and took care of the situation!

Crow - before

Crow - After

The aforementioned chicken coop once held chickens but one morning Russell discovered that all the chickens were dead. He figured it must be a pine marten that got them so he went hunting and found the pine martin and killed it!

Pine Marten - before

Pine Marten - after

Waterfalls and a bear

When you head north from the lodge you go past the cannery and head up toward Glacier Bay. The water parts into a shallow river and a very deep river. The deep river goes to Glacier Bay and fishing is restricted there. The more shallow side is so peaceful and calm. The weather is nice there too. There are three waterfalls. I think they were made from three land slides that caused all the trees to slide down into the river and the melting snowfall naturally flows down the scar from the trees.

The Cannery at Excursion Inlet

The island that p;arts the tiver

Immature eagles

 The fishing isn't so good there. The Halibut are smaller and not so easy to catch. Someday I hope Willie will take the boat on up past the waterfalls to see what lies beyond! 

We saw a bear on the beach. It was very busy foraging and didn't care that we were fishing until we headed straight towards it then it ran into the trees.  We've been back there twice and haven't seen the bear again. Mitchell and Devin also saw the bear and took pictures of it!

PS - did I mention that it rains here all the time!