My Dad's Future
My dad, who, FYI, is the coolest guy on the planet, is retiring at the end of this year and needs our help deciding what to do next. I should tell you that he lives on Kodiak Island, Alaska. That he built his own fishing boat in the backyard (this is not a wooden canoe. This is a metal, welded, multi-engine salmon trolling vessel with beds and a wood-burning stove and GPS). That he hunts elk and caribou and moose (for all you enviornmentalists/PETA-ists that are preparing to send me attack-comments about fur and life and death and pain, please instead send an EXPLAIN THE HUNTING THING request and I will do so. Thank you. Okay). That he climbs mountains and works out all the time and is, like, aging backwards. That he has spent his entire career in education and his current job is the principal at Peterson, an elementary school for the children of the coast guard.
So, armed with this necessary background information, please help me help my dad decide his future.
Should Megan's Dad ...
(and allow me to add that these are actual possibilities for him. I have not fictionalized them at all)
A. spend a year on an African safari
B. buy a lodge and take Alaskan tourists on fishing trips
C. travel the state and help train new Alaskan educators how to do the best job for their students
D. spend the fall hunting deer in Michigan and hanging out with me in Chicago
E. buy a kayak
Comments
I think he should do all of the above - it's not like he can't. Life is long. If he decides to do the african safari thing, I can put him in touch with a few safaried people I know, my sister in-law Shantih's Dad is a photographer for life, people, national geographic and a few others, he photo'd gorilla's and that particular shoot was pretty challenging and fascinating. My friends Sean and Plinio went on a lengthy (albeit luxurious) safari and love Africa (although were horrified by the extremes of poverty and wealth - long story) If he decides to by a lodge in Alaska, Scott, the kids and I will go, if he decides to the fall to live in Michigan and see his wonderful daughter in Chicago, I know of a about four deer that roam in Macatawa - and have no objection to his hunting them - althugh I did kind of ejoy the fact that they were staring at me regularly while I lay dying with the flu on my couch about a month ago. I love venison and have no issues with hunting deer even though my electricians in Michigan are convinced I do... They are fun to debate the issues with. Can't he travel the state while doing all of the above? after he comes back? if he leaves?
He should by a kiak regardless - that's a no brainer.
Congrats to your dad on retiring from this current phase of his life - on to the next!
Posted by: Amy Perry | March 18, 2005 11:59 AM
Yes, all of the above for sure! Rock on Dad!
Posted by: Betsy | March 18, 2005 12:37 PM