the sound of the lodge on a sunday

the casualties are still in this evening as their gear did not arrive until the 6:30pm flight. they seem to be pretty nice guys, just unprepared. this evening when i was going thru my gear lecture to them about how to pack their dry bags, one of them argued with me about not wanting to repack his stuff...and he went on and on. this is the same guy that wouldn't sign his release of liability form we require all clients to sign before boarding the plane. he finally did after i told him firmly that he doesn't board the plane until it's signed. it's been one thing after another with one brother in particular. we are glad to be rid of them (as horrible as that sounds) for a few days. this morning we had 2 guys in from a float and they left a day early, robs cousins also left this morning. this afternoon was a more laid back one, piddly chores but still busy. did have time to sit in the sun with nat for about 20 min..it was over 70 today. beautiful. louie spent the day floating gear from the buckstock, so when we met him at the beach greg and laurie (owners of midnight sun trophy pike adventures) were there. got to chat with laurie for about 30 min. i would seriously consider working for them if they ever asked. great people and a successful business. when we got louie and the gear back he pulled out a bouquet of wild flowers he picked for nat and i. they were droopy, but it was the thought that counted. they are on the counter in a cup. we thought it was pretty neat that he thought of us while he was floating on a lovely river.

while i was sweeping the outside steps this evening i stopped for a moment to listen to the lodge. rob was upstairs, the guests were in their room and louie and nat were inside chatting away about nothing special, laughing, nat doing dishes and louie eating. the windows were open so i could hear well. the olympics were on tv and i just listened. listened to the tone of their voices, the conversation, the dogs clomping on the wood floor...and i enjoyed the sound. very familiar, very close, very temporarily home. i will miss them tremendously when we're all done here. both of them have become more than co-workers. and i think somewhere inside rob, we have become more than employees to him. i'd like to think that anyway.