ll another summer has come and gone and it’s time to update you on what everyone has been doing and what plans they may have for the winter.
We sat down and tried to figure out how many people we’ve had working with us and think it’s around 34, but please let us know if we’ve missed anyone – 24 years is a long time to remember! A walk down memory lane brought back some really good memories and funny stories. A realization of how none of this would be possible today without all of you and what unique talents/skills each person utilized in the company. You’ve all become part of our “Adventure High Family” and not just a guide that spent a summmer here. Each of you is special to us and will always be a part of any success that we have now and in the future. Any stories, pictures, etc. that you have, we’d love to hear/see so please feel free to send them along!
Know about’s of what folks are doing! (the good gossip)
Kevin Sampson (our illustrious leader) is packing his bags and running off to meet the penguins. It’s time once again to head out for Antarctica and paddle among the iceburgs and spectacular wildlife. Keep checking our blog, as he will be posting pictures and letting us know about his adventures there. The past year has been busy for him, working in Toronto during the spring, offering his services as an instructor/trainer for specialized rescue & rope training. He is a man of many talents! His time in Toronto was broken up with trips home to Grand Manan for some family time. During his time home (summer) he was incredibly busy running the business here and doing home renovations in his spare time – which he really doesn’t have. The end result though is a new bedroom and solarium on the deck. Again, a very talented guy
Linda Stackhouse is the one “behind the scenes”. Although no big travel plans in the immediate future, she is planning on taking advantage of Kevin’s skills and enjoy the new bedroom and solarium! This summer had her learning some new skills (which she wasn’t sure she wanted to learn) and is now proficient in painting, sanding, staining and varnishing. She swears if Kevin has any more “projects” she is going to run away from home.
Elliot Shepherd is still with Coastal Transport and during his “week on”, he can be found hanging out at the ticket office or down on the wharf when the ferry docks. His off-week he is either paddling (he apparently doesn’t care how cold it is) or off to Wood Island and the family “camp” – his home away from home. He keeps busy with all his hobbies. Although his big news is that he is now a very proud “grampy” to a beautiful baby boy. Congratulations Elliot.
Ryan Munro is back home in Florenceville for now. However, he does have a special interest here on Grand Manan, so we expect to see him around the next couple of months. In January he will be following in Kevin’s footsteps and heading down to Antarctica and see what all the fuss is about. He will be guiding kayak tours and is sure to have lots of stories to share when he gets back. Ryan will be back again next summer to work, so be sure to drop by and see how his winter was.
Mark Mykytyn has left us for New York where he is working at getting the family home ready to sell – a huge project and one we don’t envy him. Mark is not a fan of cold weather, so not sure how he will survive the winter, maybe he can manage a trip south to warm up. Will let you know if we hear of any gossip from him.
Susan Ballantyne is now back in Ottawa living in the “real world”, but we’re pretty sure that she is daydreaming about the time she can be back on Grand Manan and paddling again.
Perry Harvey is working on the island at the local hospital, where he keeps everyone in check! We think they must like him at work, as there is always a funny story to be told about him. This fall has been a big adjustment for Perry as his “baby girl” went off to university, but she’s making it easier for him by coming home at every opportunity to visit (although we don’t think it’s him she’s coming to visit).
Fred Tustin is still in Ontario with his family. Knowing him, he is just waiting for the snow to fly so he can get out on the slopes. He’s our very own “snow bunny”. We’ve been in touch through email and sounds like he’s had a great summer with his family – Catherine & Zach. Lots of time spent camping, paddling and visiting with his extended family – sounds relaxing and just what he deserves. Hopefully we will see them back on the island next summer, fingers crossed.
Beth Johnston has been helping us out for the past few years – mostly with multi-day trips and the larger groups. She lives in Fredericton most of the time, but always seems to be heading out to guide trips all over. This summer she and her partner Paul headed to Nahanni River, NWT for some paddling and I’m sure she will have some great stories to share above this experience. Look forward to catching up with you next spring/summer.
Patrick Cook is now in Nova Scotia and working at one of the local churches as a pastor. We manage to run into him once in awhile, as he has family here on Grand Manan and he drops by for the occasional visit. Hope all is going well with you and your family!
Soni Gatta still lends a hand with the kayaking whenever he can, but he is a pretty busy guy, so we feel fortunate when he can help out. Always a favorite with our guests, he just has a way with people and we all love him! He is still on the water, but now in a fishing boat, can’t help but think that it has to be way more fun in a kayak – but possibly the fishing boat pays better!!
Brian Agnew is still living in Moncton, but you’re lucky to catch him at home. Now that he’s retired, he is making up for lost time (spent at work) and is enjoying all the adventures he can. Whether it be time at his camp, travelling around to visit family or out on one of his own adventures, you can be sure Brian is having a great time. We missed you this summer, hopefully will catch up with you next season!
Kyle Agnew (Brian’s son) and Michelle Reid are still together (longer than a lot of married couples) and are now both teachers and working in the Northwest Territories – hope I got that right, if not please let me know. They were an awesome team when working here and we still miss them. Their mutual love of the outdoors has them fitting right in, as they are in an isolated community and all entertainment seems to be outdoors – snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing – you get the idea. Their students are very lucky to have them as teachers.
Tammy Taylor and Chad Cote were both working here at the same time and last we heard both were in the British Columbia area (although Chad moved back & forth between BC and the Yukon). Haven’t heard from them lately, so if you’re reading this send an email, text, facebook or whatever and let us know how you’re doing. Your big smiles and laughter are missed – both of you!
Rob Landa, the last we heard has headed out on his dream adventure of sailing around the world. Best of luck and maybe you’ll be making Grand Manan one of your port of calls?
Darryn Stevenson is still in Ontario teaching and from the sounds of things coaching (what exactly I don’t know). His family has grown and he has two children that are now both in school. Nothing like having children to show you how fast time really does go. We haven’t seen him or his wife, Kim, for awhile now, but they claim that they are coming to the island for a visit. Talk is cheap my friend.
Jenn Hutchinson is still working here on Grand Manan at the salmon sites. She is a manager and doing very well for herself. She and boyfriend, Brad, bought a house and apparently have made Grand Manan their home. Who can blame them? No better place to live.
Sara Rydl, Ben Gammi, Kurt Adams, Celidh, have all worked with us over the past 10-12 years, but as happens in life, we’ve lost touch. Hope you’re doing well and if you read this, please drop us a line and let us know how you’re doing!
Drea Latford we hear from every once in awhile. She is now a teacher and has been travelling all over the world. Keep in touch and happy travels!!
Sarah MacDonald is another one that is still on Grand Manan. She is captain of one of the whale watching companies here and she has also bought herself a house, so I guess she isn’t going anywhere too soon! We see her quite often, usually in the company of her beautiful dog, Molly.
Over the years we’ve had lots of great staff working with us and the following are some of you that we’ve not been in touch with for awhile: Joe, David G., David P., Sheila, Heather, Annie, Terri, Bruce, Sam. However, Sam we do keep tabs on you through your mom (Susan Ballantyne). Would love to hear how you are all doing, so let us know what’s going on in your lives! Hope everyone is well and enjoying life to the fullest and keeping safe in your adventures.
If we have left anyone out (we really tried to remember everyone), let us know and will follow up with you too!