Around the campfire...

Yesterday started out wet and cold. If you could have seen through the low cloud layer, there was a dusting of new snow on the mountains. With only 11 guests for the breakfast cruise, the manager asked if I was going to cancel the trip.

"The cook and wrangler are already out on the island. All the guests are here. I'm going to say we'll head out in the boat and see if conditions improve. If not, we'll go for a boat ride and bring them back for refunds and breakfast at the Ranch House Restaurant."

I had to use the windshield wipers all the way to the island - not a good sign. When we pulled up to the dock on the island, I gave the guests a couple options: let's head onto the island and have breakfast; if it's raining too much, we'll come back to the boat. Or: I'll back the boat off the island, we'll take the long way home, and you get refunds. The general consensus was to give the island and breakfast a try. As it turned out, the rain let up and then stopped, the food was good, instead of eating at the picnic tables, we all sat around the campfire to eat. The guests were all pleased with the decision and thanked me for suggesting we give it a try. It was a different, but special island breakfast.

On the way back to the marina, I contacted the marina manager with an unusual radio call. "Sir, the guests want to give you a message..." I held the radio towards the passengers and they all let out a big cheer.

"Message received. Thank you, Captain Jim. Glad everyone had a good time."

The rest of the day remained cold, but the cloud layers eventually lifted (by afternoon) to allow a view of the mountains. We went out on each cruise, but the crowds were not large. Still, it was another unique perspective Mother Nature provided of this beautiful area.