We expect to be hearing this from Kai for the next couple weeks. Though he should know, as he was with us to see Ben off. Ben is on his way to Alaska! He's going up on the Alaska Ferry which departs from right here in our little town (Bellingham, WA). He's going up with his life long best friend Traesti - the 16 year old son of our next door neighbors, who fish commercially on a little gill-netter out of Petersburg.
He'll be working for them as a deck-hand and gopher. They've wanted to take him for a couple years but this is the first time we've let him go. HERE'S A LINK to the photo album page on the family's wesite for their fishing company: Desire Fish. Be sure to check out the link to their photos because there are some really great pictures.
Ben and Traesti will be camping out on the ferry for 3 nights on the trip up, and get off right in Petersburg. He'll be staying with them for two weeks then comes back on the ferry by himself. Quite an adventure for a 16 year old, don't ya think? I think he's going to have a great time, I just hope his mother survives!