"Hey guys. Happy New Year! This is Eric Lusk, from Tom's work group last summer. I hope things are going well for you guys.  I think and pray for you every day!  It was a real life changing experience for my dad and I.  Since being up there my dad has lost 45 pounds and is understanding what it’s like to be a little more in tune with nature. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity and experience.  My son Gabriel, is in Kindergarten this year, and can't wait till he’s old enough to go up there and see the sea otters and whales. 
 
"How is the retreat? I tell everyone about it! Do you guys need some work done again this summer? If so, I can't wait. If not, I am coming up there anyways to hang out with you guys, cause I miss you and you guys are too cool!! haha.

"You guys have been a real inspiration to what a lot of hard work can accomplish!!! Thank you. Your love of nature and life is very evident in your smiles. And your love is a strong example for everyone around you. I thank you very much for last year and hope to see you guys again soon.
 
                     With much love, peace, and hope for many blessings to come!"
                                      Eric L., California (Work crew ’08 & ’09)
 

Hi Stan, Ginger and Dylan,
 
I want to let you know how much Ann and I enjoyed being with you at Alderwood. I hope you are all knee deep in salmon now. We sure have been enjoying eating a lot of great fish. I prepared some fish dinners for family and got comments like "the best fish I have ever eaten", to which I had to say it didn't compare to the halibut Stan prepared 3 hours from swimming to fork, but they would have to go to Alaska for that experience!

Hopefully we might see you next year, anyway thanks again, I really like Alderwood, catch lots of big salmon.

P.S. Dylan, send me all your jokes…my buddies will love them!

Tim B., Idaho (Work crew ’08 & ’09)
 

Dear Stan, Ginger, Dale & Karen

Thank you guys so much for making our week one of the best in our lives.  We all can’t stop talking about it and are having Alderwood withdrawals…It was truly one of the best weeks of my life.  You all made it so easy to be there and we felt so welcome.  I keep looking at the pictures and then close my eyes and I’m back on the boat or standing on the shore skipping rocks, the images won’t leave and I’m thankful for that…Stan your skills in fishing, running the place and great stories really captured the Alaska essence…Plus the fact that we got to have a Survival Suit Race was the icing on the cake.  I don’t know a single person that has done that, and it feels good to have experienced that…the operation you have and the experiences we had were just picture perfect in our heads.

We have had the Halibut a few times and love each bite.  A few family members are also grateful that we brought some back to them.  Daniels father was saying that he hasn’t been so excited about anything or motivated to work since he can remember and wants to send him back a few times a year!  Needless to say it is in all of our heads to make a return trip at some point in the future.

I just say that the week would not have been what it was without Dale and Karen.  Karen had made some wonderful dishes/desserts for our meals and made it feel like home.  Well to be honest, we don’t get treated that well at home.  Thank you, Karen.  And Dale, what can I say.  He was the right hand man that week.  Without his great smile, attitude, jokes (and giving away of Stan’s “secret” fishing spot) we would not have had the same experience.  You truly made the week that much more memorable.

Hope all is well,

Marshall P., California 

 

Stan & Ginger,

I’m still trying to believe that I was at your place again and had such a great time.  You don’t know how much it meant to me to be together up there with my brothers.  We cherish any time that we have to spend, whether we are just at home or on vacation.  To be able to go to one of the most beautiful places on earth with them was unreal.  I have told them about how it is up there ever since I was up last time.  They probably got tired of hearing me talk about it and went up just to shut me up.  But after they saw Kodiak they were in awe of the whole experience.  I’m sure everyone they know will get an ear full from them about their trip.  Words can’t come close to trying to explain it to people and pictures from there are beautiful but just can’t capture how unreal it really is up there.  When you live in a place like that and are used to seeing all of it every day you may not see it the same, but when you come to visit it really does something to you inside.  I will never be able to thank you enough for your hospitality, cooking and how welcome you made us feel at your place.  Your family is always welcome to come and stay with us if you are ever in town. 

All our fish made it in good shape…We were so tired when we got home that we just passed out.  I will be back again if you will let me come up…If there is anything I can do for you guys let me know or if you need something I can send it up…Thanks again for all you did!

Neal D.,  Idaho

 

This is a trip of a life time, absolutely the best vacation!  Comes with real live bears. Would love to do it all over again. The food and hosts are outstanding. 

Best wishes to you and your retreat!

Joan D. and Gary P., Colorado

 

 

“We truly enjoyed our visit here…the fishing, whaling and kayaking.  We hope for a return trip.  Thanks for everything.” 

“Thank you for the best  4 days I’ve experienced in years!” 

“Thank you guys for all the fun and the fish.  We will be back to catch the Kings.” 

“Combining beautiful country with beautiful people is the recipe for the best of all vacations”

“I will cherish your unique blend of fishing, rafting, and flying over breathtaking mountain scenery.  And especially how it turned strangers into good friends.” 

“What a wonderful place you have here at Alderwood Retreat.”

“Great experiences!  Wonderful food! “

“The whales were a rush!  I also caught the biggest fish of my life.”

“Your retreat provided much restoration for my soul…”

“Your hard work and dedication have made Alderwood a haven for others to enjoy…”

“You are special and your place is the same.”

“We had a great time w/you and all that God has created for us to enjoy.”

“We enjoyed the fishing, the food, the friendship.  Thanks again.”

“What a great experience here in paradise.”

“There are very few words that can describe a place that few people in this world are lucky enough to see.”

“Thank you for sharing your special lives with us.”

“If I don’t leave soon Ginger and Karen will have me so fat with their cooking that I will not be able to climb in and out of the boat!”

“There are not enough words to express how good we feel about this place, from the fishing to the food.”

“What an awesome place you have.  I can’t wait to bring my wife & kids here.”

“The comraderie is great—not to mention the fishing. “

“We have experienced a life changing journey.”

“This has been probably the best vacation I have ever taken.”

“I don’t think we could have been treated any better.”

“You made us feel welcome in your home and showed us a great time.”

“The best food, the best hospitality, the most world-class fishing and hunting Alaska has to offer.”

“I felt so lucky to spend a week with you guys at Alderwood.”