Song (6.24.16)

Our new friends John and Kathe brought inspiration to write a song about the week.  We wrote it (with the Hendricksons) in an hour and sang it to the staff unrehearsed at "Graduation Night", which occurs every Friday evening at Baranof.

Here goes:

Boarded the float plane, 

Broke through the clouds

Landed in Warm Springs,

Your hugs and smiles make me proud

Got a whale on my front porch

I'm home.  

Woke up this morning'

Was a quarter past five

Arrived in a skiff

Barely alive

Shrimp in my omelets

Jam on my scone

I'm home

What boat am I on?

I just can't wait

It's like Bajr's breakfast 

All the selections are great

The snarl of the motor

Plays that sweet song

I'm home 

Went halibut fishin'

Trolled for sa-mon

Was lucky enough  

To get a rockfish on

That puts me 

In a Baronific mood

I'm home 

Back to the dock

Break out the scales

It's barely legal 

But to me it's a whale

I'm no longer chained

To my dang cell phone

I am home

Started with pizza

Then Dungeness crab

Buildin' up muscle

But it might just be flab

Then we force 

The final course

Topped with ICE CREAM!

Suddenly 

it's Friday night

It happened so soon

Makes this Southern girl cry

But this song ain't 

No sad goodbye

We're coming home

(...to Baranof)

(...see ya next year)

(...with all of you)

A Day with David (6.23.16)

David, our North Carolina neighbor, was our fishing guide on Thursday.  It always makes for great conversation when you have a Confederate Civil War history buff and avid outdoorsman all rolled into one.   The day would only have been made better if we hadn't let two small halibut go early that morning.  We were greedily hoping for 4 big ones, but, only took home one big catch of the day.

Polar Bear Plunge (6.22.16)

All I need to say is that the water temperature was a mere 48 degrees F.  I resisted the taunting and refused to be goaded into joining my crew in taking the plunge.

Bear Proof (6.22.16)

Although we did not have an up-close-and-personal experience with an Alaskan brown bear (otherwise known in the lower 48 states as "grizzly"), there was evidence that they were close by.

Sydney Harter (also a guest at Baranof with us) had a closer encounter...lucky she was in a boat and this guy was not interested in swimming.  

River Country (6.22.16)

After getting a little sea sick on Monday's quest to fill the fish box, and a tad bit cold on Tuesday while out taking pictures in the rain, I'm pleased to report that the weather on Wednesday was near perfect.  And, what a day to choose to go to the river!

Thank you, Sheldon! (6.21.16)

The reason we are privileged to be guests at Baranof is because of Shelly.  Even more, it is because of his request that we were provided the Point Cabin--an indescribable gift for Lloyd and me:   a respite from constant kid chatter;  a super scenic private porch overlooking the bay;  a front row seat to an eagle's perch, a humpback's lunch counter, and a sea otters throughway.  Thank you, Shelly.  You know we can never repay you.

 

National Geographic (6.21.16)

I split off from the rest of my family on Tuesday on a quest to learn photography tips from John Hendrickson, a world-renowned wildlife photographer from California, who was also at Baranof this week.  Ira Miller (friend of Shelly's) and I attempted to learn "all things" camera from John during our morning boat trip, but when it comes right down to it, I think these elements must be learned slowly (kindly put- they pay him the big bucks for a reason!).  Although it was rainy and somewhat cold, we were able to capture on film deer, bear, rare birds, sea otters, eagles, a small humpback whale, a very unique starfish plus that gorgeous Alaskan landscape during this National Geographic field trip.

Butts (6.20.16)

At the risk of sounding a little crass, we were on a mission to bring home some butts! (Halibuts!)

Thanks, Doug for the help in doing just that.  :) 

Southeast Alaska (6.19.16-6.27.16)

We enthusiastically traded our 100 degree Memphis heat in mid-June for a less humid fishing-friendly climate.  Who would not be thrilled with the breathtaking flight over mountain glaciers with a spectacular water landing in Warm Springs Bay?  Or, the opportunity to fish, hike, or whale watch each day in the pristine Alaskan wilderness?  Or, to be fed king or dungeness crab along with our fresh catch of salmon or halibut from Bajr's kitchen?  Our welcome back to Baranof Wilderness Lodge (remotely located near Sitka, Alaska) was sweetened with warm hugs from old friends.

 

Walmart (5.26.16)

Enough said.  Two quotes from a dear friend sum up this experience. 

1.     “You reach a certain pinnacle in vacationing when you’ve slept at Wally World.”

2.      “It’s all about the ride…. Not just the destination.”

Red Noses (5.26.16)

Our navigational app suggested a route to Ohio through Northwest Tennessee.  It seemed only appropriate to check in on the grandparents and make our first pit stop at the farm.  Daddy Joe had more fun investigating this “mechanical wonder”, including hearing the many tunes played on The Horn.  Coincidentally, it happened to be Red Nose Day, and that just added to the fun.  (Red Nose Day raises money to help transform the lives of children living in poverty in the US and internationally. )

Maiden Journey (5.26.16)

Lloyd and I traveled to Dallas for our anniversary earlier this year to see our favorite band.  Due to an unforeseen illness the show was cancelled at last minute.  Disappointed, however, it was on that trip that we learned about their Nowhere Else Festival to be hosted on Memorial Day weekend in Martinsville Ohio.  So, where should we choose to go on our maiden journey in the bus? None other than No Where Else.  #nowhereelsefest

The Finks Bus (5.26.16)

It's a really long and entertaining story (we'll tell you in person someday), but, in short we've acquired a beautifully restored vintage Bluebird in which we plan to tour the country.  We'll tell you more about it and our stops along the way through this blog.  We're grateful to the many friends both new and old who have helped us get to this point (Steve Turner, Glennbruce Campbell, Jerry Carter, Marc and Barb Stratton, Randy and Carol Dupree, Chap and Darra Enfinger, and the Wanderlodge Owner's Group).  Keep checking in. We hope to have lots of stories to tell.