We Do Work.

My father, an avid reporter of the Snug Harbor Reporter (but then, who isn't?) made a comment after reading a couple posts that was something like this: "Do you guys ever do any work around there?" He was kidding (I think) but really, it's a justifiable conclusion to reach after reading the SHR, as probably 75% of what I write about involves potlucks, pinatas, or celery sticks with dip. So, I am resolved to write a post about what we actually do while we're working - which yes, does happen.

There are now just five of us interpreters (and yes, I'll use the phrase 'us interpreters' since this blog is a part of the interpretation division) left in the Snug, since Sam left the island nearly two weeks ago. (Which is still very sad.) Our everyday duties include (but are not limited to):

• daily harbor walk programs


• daily evening programs in the auditorium (except for Sundays)


• manning the visitor center from 8 am to 6 pm every day


• greeting and catching the lines for every ferry boat


• giving an orientation to all Queen IV passengers


• writing permits for all Queen, seaplane, and private boat passengers


• leading tours to Passage Island and Lookout Louise aboard the Lodge's M.V. Sandy


• completing customs on anyone coming from Canada


• roving the Snug Harbor area, assisting visitors with trip planning, identification and historical questions, assisting with medicals, etc.

Whew. I apologize for the long and probably boring list. But with full or nearly full Queens every day of the week now that we're well into August, and pretty full Rangers and Voyageurs as well, you can see we have our hands full. The five of us divide the tasks between us every day, according to a scarily complicated schedule that Andrea somehow concocts and makes work every single pay period, which is a feat worthy of being called a superhero, I think. If you hear us talking about "A" or "B" or "C-2" schedules, it has to do with this. Don't ask.

Our days are full of answering questions like, "What is a loon?," "Where do I go to see the moose?," and "Can I please rent a kayak?" (We cannot rent kayaks. The dock attendant rents kayaks. We told you at the orientation.) We kindly point out the difference between blue-bead lily fruits (poisonous) and blueberries (delicious.) We identify flowers and trees and tell stories of shipwrecks and geological time. We call EMTs for blisters, point out the Stoll Trail, and, if you're Leah and Justin, occasionally rescue people from small islands.

It's generally pretty awesome.

Of course, interpretation is not the only division found in the Snug. Robert, in his house on the hill, runs the extremely vital water and power plants and assists us on the many days when the internet suddenly stops working for no apparent reason. He is often seen buzzing around in the golf cart, doing very serious things (I confess to not even knowing what most of them are.) Pete and Marshall, our LE guys, are always bustin' bad guys and checking permits, and very speedily on hand whenever we need an EMT down at the Visitor Center. They're keeping it safe and keepin' it real. We're a good team, I think. We make it happen, here in the Snug.

And so, yes, dad: we do work once in awhile. But what is life without some potlucks and swing dancing thrown in there??