August Goodbyes

Though these August days are still bright, sunny, and warm, the recently cool nights and mornings signal the winding down of summer. Our wonderful summer staffers are also headed their respective ways for the next year. We've had a great time together over these past three months, so it is sad to see people go. For those of you who visited or have been tracking with the blog, here is an idea of the staff's fall plans:

Eric was the first to leave us to embark on a 10 day canoe trip from Ely to Poplar Lake. Vince, a previous staffer, accompanied him. Eric will be continuing the Northern Life living in Ely this fall and going to school.

Donny and Kevin headed out yesterday and will both be returning to college for their sophomore years. Donny will be at Bemidji State and has plans to hunt everyday, practice his goose calls, and pretty much enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. He and his housemates will have all of the hunting/fishing equipment ever needed like boats, fish houses, trailers, decoys, snowmobiles, etc...Sounds perfect for Donny, the next Ron Schera. Kevin is headed to St. Johns and will be playing Rugby. I'm not sure if canoe lifting muscles are used in rugby, but if so, he'll be in good shape.

Will and I are going back to the cities to return to the crazy life of graduate school. Will will be getting his masters in counselling at the end of the year, and I will be finishing up classes for my Ph.D program. We will definitely miss the carefree days of badminton, campfires, and canoe trips.

AJ will be returning to Northern Michigan University for her senior year of college. She began training for a marathon this summer, and is shooting for an April marathon in lower Michigan. Probably a little less likely to run into a moose or bear on that run.

Kwasie is helping Mike and Lynn at the lodge for a couple more weeks before heading up to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens point, which is a huge help. Only a little bit longer before returning to the land of beer and cheese, Kwas.

We were really lucky to have met and spent the summer with all of these guys. Great Summer. Some may even call it Legen......wait for it......dary.

Kirsten