Well, the N.A.T.O. boys were at it again. The same group that went to South Africa were now off to Alaska. We took on the N.A.T.O. title because each of our last names begins with one of those letters. We ended up making several trips together all over the world.
In May of 1995, my buddies wanted to do a fishing trip to Alaska. I am not an outdoors person at all. I am not against hunting and fishing but It does not thrill me. They are not either, which is why I was shocked that they wanted to do this.
They arranged a package for all of us at a lodge in Soldotna, Alaska.

We would depart on May 16, 1995.

I am an airline geek. I often fly just to fly. On May 15, I did just that. I flew LAS-SBA-SAN-BUR-SAN-BUR-PSP-LAS, all on Skywest Metroliners and Brasilias. I started out at 7am and arrived back home at about 6pm. When I got home, I found out that I did not have one of my days off covered and so I would not be able to go to Alaska. My friends had flown to Seattle the night before and so I had no way to let them know I would not make it(how did we manage without cell or internet).
I was bummed out, especially since I paid my share of the trip and would not get that money back. I had to let them know so that night I took the America West red eye to Seattle. When I arrived, I just camped out near the AS ticket counter to wait for them. I finally saw them and told them the bad news. I went back to America West to board the same 737 back to LAS. I was seated and waiting for the door to close when an agent came on to tell me that my friends wanted me to deplane. I told the agent that I can't. She came back on and said they really want me to, but again, I told her that I wouldn't. Later on, I would find out why........
Upon arrival into LAS, I was met by my Supervisor who told me that my buddies had found someone to cover my day and they had done the shift swap over the phone. She told me to go back up and have a fun trip! The next SEA flight was not until about 1pm and it was only about 9am so I went home to freshen up a little.
That afternoon, I took America West 843, an A-320 from LAS to SEA. I transfered to Alaska 87, an MD-80 to Anchorage.
Our lodge was a couple of hours from Anchorage so I looked into a pass to get from ANC to Kenai. The Agent told me that a regular ticket was not much more than the pass would be, so I purchased it. I think it was about $80 return.
That evening, I arrived into Kenai on board an ERA Airlines DHC-8. My buddies met me there at the airport and we went to the bar. That is where I had my first taste of the greatest beer in America--Alaskan Amber!
They had rented a car and drove from Anchorage earlier that day.
We drove to the lodge and just relaxed that evening, amazed that it was midnight and still sunny!
The lodge was Orca Lodge and our cabin overlooked the Kenai River. It was a very relaxing place!

May 17, 1995
We were off to an early start, stopping only to get fishing licenses. We would fish on the Cook Inlet today and it was cold!
Well, it was about 50 but to us out on the open water, we were freezing! Our guide was very helpful, since we pretty much knew nothing about fishing. It was relaxing and quiet out there but there were many fishing boats around us. We were all drinking beers and having a good time but we did not have luck with the fish. The beers caught up to us and I could not hold it anymore so I piped up and asked how we could relieve ourselves on this little dingy! The guide told us to just go over the side. I was not too excited about that but when you have to go, you have to go........
After a few hours, Eddie caught a decent sized salmon, which ended up being the biggest catch on our trip. It was about 30 pounds. We were all alert again, awaiting the next catch. This time it was I. My catch was a 25 pound salmon.
We called it a day after that and went back to the lodge. We had dinner and drinks at our cabin and just enjoyed the nature in front of us.

May 18, 1995
We fished the Kenai River and Dwight caught a 20 pound salmon. It was warmer being on the sheltered river. We were all hoping that George would catch a fish but he did not, and he was the only one to leave empty handed.
Back at the lodge, they prepared our fish for transport back to LAS. We drove down to Homer, Alaska for a nice dinner and some amazing views! That evening, we went back to Kenai, where my friends dropped me off for my flight back to ANC. It was another ERA Airlines DHC-8 and I arrived into ANC at about midnight. I connected to Continental 245, an MD-80 to SEA. I made it to SEA bright and early and connected to America West 84, a 737-300 to LAS.
My friends came home later that day. I ate that salmon for months and it was excellent!
It was a short but relaxing trip and a I highly recommend the Orca Lodge. They gave us an airline employee discount but I am not sure if this is still applicable today.