People You Should Know

During my travels I have always tried to meet and visit with interesting folks along the way. While I am not normally comfortable engaging with strangers, I have discovered that being willing to strike up a conversation often leads to some amazing stories. I've shared a few here.

Russell Rolf, captain of the Motor Vessel "Bella Rio" makes his living pushing freight up the lakes and rivers feeding inland from Bristol Bay into the Wood-Tikchik area of southwest Alaska. He is here in Aleknagik to move an excavator to an island up the lake a few miles. As we stood in the light rain and fading light of the August evening, Russell talked of growing up in the business and learning from his father and uncle as they drove plywood barges up-river delivering supplies and materials to the settlers, miners and lodge owners. I could sense his pride in the Bella Rio and his quiet competence forged in the beautiful but unforgiving place. August, 2017.