Day 3, April 30, 2013

           This has been a great day.  We got settled in the campground, and it is really peaceful and beautiful.  We went to the dinner I mentioned last night.  This type of, event (early arrivers for a 4-day festival gather for a pot luck dinner) is so much fun.  Through the many years, Richard and I have been lucky to make friends from all over the country. It’s like a big reunion, and you never know who will be there.  Great fun.

One person you’ll hear me mention frequently on this trip is Lyle West.  Little Roy Lewis insisted we meet him on our last trip to Alaska (summer of 2008).  We are glad he did.  Lyle is a fascinating person.  He and his nurse arrived here in Lincolnton today.  To say that he is very active would be an understatement.  He lives alone in Homer, Alaska.  Drives to his son’s home in Fairbanks by himself and does it all in one day.  If I remember right, that is an eight-hour drive.

Anything over four hours, and I’m dead for two days.  But Lyle does this whenever necessary for doctor appointments or to process the salmon he and his family catch on their big fishing weekend on the Chitna River.  Another long drive from Homer and Fairbanks.  Lyle gathers driftwood and hauls it back home on his old pickup.  He does this all by himself using chains and pulleys.  Twenty seven years ago, he built his own two-story house by himself.  I think he must know the secrets of building the pyramids.

You’ll hear more about Lyle West when we catch up with him in Alaska for his birthday in six weeks.  Did I mention he will be 97?

After dinner, many of us gathered to listen to pickers jam with Little Roy and Lizzy.

A couple of you asked what is Georgia Cracker Salad.  It's something I’ve been making for many years.  I think I got the original recipe from Paula Deen.

Georgia Cracker Salad

Mix together:  1 hard-boiled egg, chopped, 3 green onions, sliced, 1 medium tomato diced, 1 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed, pepper to taste, and 1 cup of mayo. Yummy!

Until next time,

Dolores