R.I.P. Frank Sapienza

Frankie,
You were only here at the Fort for a short time, however you're absence has been noticed and you have been missed terribly. I remember the time that you were hanging out in my room on New Years Eve drinking rum and coke with me, Cobra Lee, Lucas, Billy, and Tkat and you and Tkat were playing memory with the cards and how she got so mad because you kept winning. I also remember how you, me, Indi, and J Rey were swimming in the pool and that is when you first mention how you were planning on leaving the lodge to get out of the restaurant business and start working on cars which is where your passion laid. It's so sad to know that you were not able to live out your dream of working on cars in Florida. Today has made me realize how life is too short and to take every opportunity that is given to you and live life to the fullest. You will be missed by everyone you ever encounter because you could not walk into a room without your presence being known by someone. Your sweet personality and your warm, genuine smile will also be missed. May you rest in peace and know that your family and friends are in my prayers during this hard time.

Employee Bowling Night

Last week the employees were treated to a bowling night. Everyone had a great time being able to get out of the Fort and away from the lodge for one night. Thought it did made several of us aware how close the end of the season was approaching. While there was a competition going for the girl and the guy who got the highest scores of the night, several of us was there just to have fun and not caring about the competition, myself including who bowled a high score of 66 by the end of the night. I even recall my boss telling me that he was glad that I work better than I bowl...but even with that, bowling was still a blast. I do, however, think we should have a Wii bowling tournament one day. Then I will bowl better than a 66. The winner of the competition was Colter for the guys and Katie for the girls, though I don't recall what the score was, but I'm betting way higher than my score. The Employee Bowling Night was a great night for us all to put aside all the stress that comes with each of our own individual jobs and just relax and have fun together as a family...which is exactly what we all have become. I had a blast this winter getting to know every single person that works here at the lodge and it's going to be hard to say goodbye next month. I hope that we all stay in touch and that one day our paths will cross once again.

3 Hour and Open Mic Night

Wow! It's been a while since I posted a blog on here. Time to play catch up. So here at the Peruvian, we have this thing call 3 Hours. Pretty much what that means is that an employee is allowed to have a friend or family member come visit them for up to a week and that person can work 3 hours a day and that will pay for them to sleep in employee housing (or sometime they will get a guest room if we aren't busy) and eat in Lils, or the employee dining room, and then after working 3 hours, they have the rest of the day to themself to ski and do whatever. We have had several people come and go this year because of this. Like Shawn, Cali, Nikki, and Chad to name a few. It's a neat way to meet even more people here at the lodge.

Every Monday night, the Goldminer's Daughter (or the GMD) hosts Open Mic Night. Last Monday was the last one of the season, and actually the first one I've ever gone to. It was so much fun, that it makes me wish that I had gone to more. I usually skip them due to having to work the next morning and didn't want to stay up too late partying. There were several people that I see around that are also Canyon employees that I never knew were so talented. Like Patrick Chamberlin just making up a song as he goes, or the Lifties changing the words from Momma Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys to Momma Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Ski Bums. I'm glad that I got videos of both of these performances so that I can replay them anytime that I want. And those were just 2 of the many talents that performed that night. While we all gathered in as many tables as we could possibly push together and eating pizza and drinking PBRs (and sodas for the few underage people), it was a great night for all the P-Dawgers to hang out together for one of the last times this season. It's hard to believe that the closing of the season is already apon us. I'm sure going to miss everyone when I leave here next month.