Introducing... The George Inlet Crew!!

Introducing.... The George Inlet Crew 2013

How I've gotten to know each of them :) Hope you all don't mind.. I also borrowed pictures of each of you! :)

Ben Lolli: is almost always jolly. Rarely not :) He has the best laugh and inspired me most by his talents of filming, running, keeping a healthy diet and always having a humorous or fun moment when you needed one. I could also never forget the Lolli love with the hugs, compliments and chocolate! Thank you Ben for your inspiration! Wish I could be half the talent that you are!

Leo Myers:  makes the best cookies (at least we found out the other day). At first glance seems just quiet, but he's giving, caring and talented. Is also not afraid to walk around in his onsie pajamas.

 

Nicholas Mckenna: Never heard so many puns in my life as I did with this man on his tours, but he intimidates me, that's for sure. Nick is a smart guy. I saw him become the most excellent narrator at the lodge, a great fisherman, shrimper and diver. Some of my favorite moments were getting up early to bait the crab pots with this guy and him helping me strengthen my confidence in my narration for my tours. I am grateful for his patience, help and humor this summer.  Thanks for the strength you helped instill in me Nick! I will never forget that! :)

Adriana VanderEnde: Nick's wife, but not just that. Adriana has one of the most caring spirits especially toward animals. While you'd be the one running from a bear chasing after you, Adriana would be the one walking toward it with soothing tones trying to calm it down so she could pet it.  She definitely knew how to enjoy this adventure berry picking, taking in the nature of the place and served her guests with the upmost sweetness. You wouldn't also be surprised knowing her to be a Kindergarten teacher back home.  Thanks for sharing your amazing spirit Adriana!

Russell Smith: a.k.a. Gaston ;) ... Haha if you're on "Team Russell" for the day there's going to be dancing on the dock for the boat tour coming in, some singing and piano playing going on later. The van rides to and from town aren't any different. Bringing the music, singing and dancing is his thang. This guy isn't afraid to be who he is and be proud of just that! It was difficult to have a tough day with Russell around if you're into that type. His computer programming talent also did wonders for the businesses up here and beyond. Don't be surprised if someday you see him as the next Steve Jobs ;) haha.. Just don't eat gummy worms for breakfast anymore when you become that rich ok, buddy? ;)

Macarey Jasper: We had an argument or a disagreement a couple times during the season, but Mac wasn't afraid to laugh and have a good time. He didn't care what others really thought just stood strong for who he was no matter what. I've had some good laughs and conversations with this guy!  And showing the love on the tough days really helped me out more than you know, man! I hope everything works out wherever you end up buddy! :)

Peter Grady: It's the hardest to describe this gentleman. loner, theatre minor in college, cool, casual, kind, dramatic (in a good way haha).. "Oh it's going to be a blood bath today... total doom!" that would be a line you hear often about how the day was going to go.. Course this was a little dramatic exaggeration just how Peter liked to make things just to make you smile or laugh or have a good time. Peter spent his days off in coffee shops, libraries just enjoying books, music etc.. We also knew Peter to be the hardest worker . He never took things lightly on the job cleaning, etc.. He would come in way before we all had to be there and make sure everything was ready to go. He also has the best introduction to the crab feasts announcing it like a wrestling match as well as having the best workout of the day for any guest who got bribed into doing the crab dance at the front of the room.  Never a dull moment with this guy. He never had anything bad to say about anyone.

Jennipher Calhoun: has worked at the lodge for quite a few years now. Takes pride in her work in the gift shop. When she's gone all hell breaks lose! Haha.. Tells things how they are and cares for everyone even when we all may not know it. She is always willing to give a helping hand where she can.  Always enjoyed my chats with her and admire the smile she carries when you know she's gone through  rough, tough  times this year! Love you!

Mary Ann Alfaro: The boss woman, who wants to also make sure we all had fun this season. We didn't always understand reasoning for decisions she made for us on the job, but we knew if anything it made us better people to learn from those decisions. Taking us out for pizza, feeding us at bbq's, letting us play with her 4 talented children, etc. Grateful to learn from this woman this season!

Mary Jane Jasper: She's the REAL boss. she's fired a couple of us at least twice during the season already if we don't play with her or make brownies with her. She's the smartest, guttsiest, most fearless 5-year-old I've met. Definitely will miss this princess. Can't say I would see my 7-year-old niece, Melody(though I love her to death) pick up a crab like this girl did on one my tours,  or on her own catch a herring and attempt to gut it herself and etc.. I would love to have a kid someday with half the qualities of this girl and I would never be bored!

Robert Booth: He has my dream truck, makes amazing food, most chill and selfless individual around. You haven't had a great summer till you work with this guy. I'm sure he's the winning shrimper out of all the gentleman workers here also. Thanks Bob for coming up here this season!

Jordan Henderson: He's 18 going on 19, but this guy has learned his way around spending the least amount of money this season. Jordan is his name and bartering is his game. "If I could borrow your phone for the recipe I will leave you some pumpkin scones when I'm done." Works for me! This guy reminds me of my 32-year-old brother, Ashley, who rides his bike everywhere. Jordan rides his bike to the other side of the island... That had to at least been 60 miles round trip. An impressive cook and chess player against some of the guys here, but a good even match at pool! Just be careful playing Monopoly with this guy!

(Jordan's the one in the blue shirt and sunglasses. He is also the one someone said looks like is having the most fun out of all of us haha).

Brian Ness: Wyoming. That alone means cool for me! Haha. Brian was our runner this year. I admired his humor with the guests the most. He did great working his job. I saw him making people laugh and at best making any situation that we would want to rip our hair out better when dealing with guests. He was always willing to help. Some days I'd be tired and slouchy getting to work early in the morning, but Brian's "Good Morning!" often lifted my spirits in those mornings! :)

Anna Sinkey: cute, sweet, fun  and talented all rolled into one! She's a boat captain's wife and originally from Russia. I didn't get to work with her in the same room often, but hers were some of the funnest times. She made some of the guys look good with her hair cutting skills and she's always quite witty! And Mom you'll be proud to know she kept on my posture often! haha hoping that stays ;) 

(Anna and Adriana on their day off).

Ryan Sinkey: Anna's husband of course and our boat captain. Besides drinking lots of our coffee between boat tours and finishing up my desserts when no one else would, it was his smarts about the area and much else that I admired most about Ryan. It wasn't standing in front of 40 people on a boat and messing up that bothered me but more of the fact that Capt. Sinkey knew every fact and if I messed up I'd get a chuckle or a look from Sinkey about it. Haha. Ryan is also the best fisherman I've ever met. I've never seen an 80-pound halibut before he caught one..

Regina Appio: The coolest Jersey girl I've met. She busted her butt to help us be civilized cleaners in our kitchen altho it wasn't always possible with many. Reg has inspired me in many ways this season. She's been through hell and back in her life I know. Life has been a tough one for her as her family has lost almost all in Hurricane Sandy. She came here to help them so it's not all up to her father. Most her summer has been getting a beautiful wedding planned for a best friend, trying to enjoy Alaska and just love life. Reg is a tough, strong girl. No matter what she pulls through  and doesn't give up. When I first came I found her to be the one I could talk to when I was homesick because she was having the same loneliness. I hope I meet you again someday girl. Thanks for your smiles, laughs and chats.  You are beautiful in and out girl! <3

Emma Fisher: I swore I would never have a roommate again haha, but Emma had to been one of the best... (Sorry Emma you can't beat out my best friend Hanna back home)..  We were both equally messy, but we got along and had fun on adventures and just chilling in the room watching movies. Emma had the most unique sense of humor, was always willing to help and was there during those tough tearful moments when I needed someone. 

Sara Spencer: isn't afraid to shove a cheesecake or cake in your face for revenge course that was toward Russell, but still haha.. Sara was all about having fun even if it meant playing video games, kayaking, go karting etc... She was the other intimidating narrator. She enjoys her job and you can tell. Always liked to go on her tours to get some inspiration.  She was also the only one I know of, who encountered a bear on her way home from a hike and survived!

Angie McCormack: This gem is from Kansas. She is a great mother, friend and inspiration, who graced us with her presence for a short couple months and made an impact in each of our lives. I know we each will never forget how kind, loving, trusting and humorous this lovely lady is. She made each moment great even when she kindly encouraged a crazy, drunken co-worker in her escape outside her window rather than say something like "You're not going to escape the cops are coming." She explained the matter later by saying "I didn't want her to get hurt so I told her where to go so she could get down safely." Always looking out for No. 1 Thanks Angie for your love inspiration and encouragement for me and my life. You always made my days just having a great down to Earth person to chat with! 

We are all nearing the end. A month left at the lodge. It's not been easy in this journey together, but I know I'm grateful for the chance to enjoy Alaska and meet these awesome peeps!

<3 Holly