Co-workers

Friday was my first day of training. So far so good. I will be working in the office four days of the week and then one evening I will help with hosting. The office work will be checking guests in and out, taking reservations and signing people up for the activities they want to participate in. The hosting will be making sure guests have wine and appetizers while they are waiting to eat and making sure they don't all rush the dining room at the same time.

I'll be working Barbara, who has lived in Florida for 20 years, runs her own travel agency and is originally from Germany. So far she seems a bit particular about her food, but otherwise a very smart, fun coworker.

Erica is our direct supervisor. She has lived here year around for the past three years and has been with the ranch for six years. I like her very much, she is funny and quick.

Sandra is above Erica- she is the Ranch Manager. She is very talkative, and excited and seems to make everything happen.

Outside of my direct contact, so far there are Rosie & Issac- they are married, late 20s. She cooks and he helps with maintenance. Natalie, who runs housekeeping, is a grandmother, but doesn't look it. There are four more people coming to live in the Sawtooth Manor with us. Then there are probably 10 more that will come for waitstaff and other jobs that will live above the kitchen in the main lodge.

Andrew, the chef, his wife, Leah, and 3-year old, Quinn, live down by the Hot Springs Pool. Bill is the other manager with Sandra, apparently he is much more laid back than she. Then there are wranglers that will be coming later with the horses.

Except for the hiking, which is apparently the most popular activity with guests, and the stocked catch and release pond, the rest of the activities are provided by other contractors. The horses stay on our grounds, but there is a separate riding company that provides the trail rides. The whitewater rafting and fishing guides are in town, but we set up appointments for the guests. There are two massage therapists that come to the ranch if a guest wants (whoo-hoo!).

So far everyone seems very friendly and easy to get along with. Of course, the chef is supposed to have a temper, so I've heard it's wise to stay on his good side, and since I like food, I will definitely do what I can on that front!

After work on Friday, I spent an exciting evening doing laundry. Although, the laundry is right next to the Hot Springs Pool, so doing laundry is better than it sounds. It was so relaxing to float in hot water and watch the mountains and clouds float by.

Saturday I went into Stanley and found the library. It's about as big as my living room at home, but with no t.v. or movie theatre close, I think I'll get good use out of my new library card. Then I went on a nice hike loop around the ranch. I watched Juno on my Ipod- thank goodness for the Ipod! I went back into town for pizza (the kitchen isn't all the way geared up on weekends since most of the employees haven't arrived yet). And then I went out again with Erica to a local bar to listen to music (Jeremiah Jones Gang- which I very much enjoyed) and to see people she hadn't seen all winter. She said she hadn't been into town this winter between November and early March. I'm not sure if I have that kind of stamina, or mental stability or whatever it takes to be alone in the middle of nowhere for that long.

It's a bit overcast and keeps raining on and off today, Sunday, so I'm staying cozy with books and computer work before the flurry of training continues tomorrow.