I returned to base camp last night and after a mellow day here today getting ready for my next trip tomorrow. I did most of my "flip over" work of the gear and van cleaning last night. Goose also returned from a trip last night and the whole crew, including the bosses six and three year old daughters (incredibly adorable girls!), helped get his rig/gear/food flipped for him to leave again this morning on another trip. We quickly focused on the chores at hand as we were looking forward to have a little bit of free time together. After all was done and we had enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal we left to take a walk through the neighborhood. The sky was still light at 10pm and the wildflowers were in full colorful bloom, standing taller than I in areas. We soaked in each moment trying to make the most of the little time that we have together this summer.
Goose and I are both guiding for Alaska Outdoors this summer and since the peak of our busy season, and for the next upcoming weeks, we are running back to back tours headed in opposite directions across this huge state. Our super busy days and limited phone service make it hard to connect often and we have only been seeing each other for a few waking hours at base camp in between trips. Those hours have become very cherished by both of us. We are enjoying what we are doing and we are so appreciative for our time traveling Alaska, but we are also anxious and excited for the end of our season so we can spend more time together adventuring. We will also be able to reunite with his dog Shilo in the fall, who we (especially he) miss terribly. We have been living and traveling together in a 1975 Toyota Chinook pop-up camper since last fall up until our drive to Alaska this spring, and the recent time apart has been tough. We are maintaining an appreciation for the now, but also looking forward to the future!
I awoke with Goose early this morning to see him off and then was able to go back to sleep for a few more hours. The day was then spent doing a few chores and errands, catching up with my friends over the phone, packing up for the trip tomorrow and cooking a dinner for the following night on the ferry with the new group. I would love to stay up late catching up on more "home" things but I need to head to bed soon as I have an early morning and a busy and hopefully adventure filled trip ahead. I am feeling rejuvenated tonight and looking forward to see what this next week will bring.
