a joyful farewell

Goodbyes can be sad, painful things; somehow, however, they are acts of joy. We bid good luck and well wishes to someone we know and respect, someone who is moving on but not disappearing. Last weekend, we said goodbye to a long-time employee at Isle Royale. Pete was a ranger, an EMT, a diver, a mariner, a friend, and a neighbor. He left this peaceful island to work at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota, and while we will miss him here, we're glad for his chance at new adventures at Voyageurs, and we know they're so very lucky to have him.

He’s worked here for years, under balsams and spruces

Alongside the otters and red squirrels and mooses

He’s heading off now to a new park and job

So excuse us if we let out a sniffle or sob –

‘Cause we’ll miss dear Pete, our neighbor and friend

Who can grow tall tomatoes and tie a sheet bend

He taught us to swing dance and make hula pie

To play EcoFluxx and to scuba dive.

He showed us how to make crack dip correctly

And was always available if needed “directly.”

He is patient and kind and full of good laughs,

Always there to lend a hand to the staff.

The dive lessons might end; he won’t be our EMT;

But we don’t need special powers in order to see,

That he’ll continue to succeed in his new endeavor,

And be surrounded by happy people forever.

Pete left on the Ranger III Saturday morning, after a final breakfast-for-dinner party, hosted by Marshall at the Ralph House. There were gifts and stories shared, breakfast sandwiches and bacon, laughter and photos. It was a fitting send-off - only missing Pete's famous red-hot pancakes, which, believe me, are about a thousand times better than they sound.

Good luck, Pete, and have fun. We'll miss you.