1999-2000: Garfield Bay and the Captn's Table

I had called about a Chef position in Garfield bay at one of the restaurants.  Having never been there I looked up the bay on a map and headed out.  I descended into the bay around the steep set of switchbacks over Gold Hill and into he bay.  Past the gas station and the 9 hole pitch and putt, down the bay road along the shore and pulled into the first restaurant.  I approached a man and asked if he knew Mary.  His name was Jerry and he Mary was down the way.  So I drove down the road somemore to another reataurant.  Inside was a gentleman in a wheelchair.  He introduced himself as Larry. Mary was in the back.  I this point I was a little wary of the strange coincidence of rhyming names.  Mary came out and introduced herself. She a nice lady from California.  A real spitfire.  Her and Larry had used their retirement the acquire the Captn's Table.  A Hard Liquor Saloon.  They had big plans for this little bay.  I was hired and began to work right away.   The pay was good and the view was awesome, right on the shore with dock access. 
    The Table had a history in the bay of shootings, fishing and just good fun and revelry.  It was the closest thing to a pirate's bar as there was in North Idaho. 

     Mary and Larry added on a fine dining room so that we could serve both bar food and higher end food depending on who showed up.  They sponsored several of the various fishing derby's.  These were 4 day nonstop events that ran 24/7 until you either caught fish or passed out drunk.  They were fun at first but after a few they began to wear down on your perseverance.  The fisherman never seemed to give up, they just wanted "The Big One"  It had grown every year.  For about a year I lived upstairs at the Table and was the "night watchman" as it were, although that was not the official title.
     We had pig roasts, car rallies, sushi nights, golf cart races, fireworks displays, ice carving contests, live bands and lots of boating and drinking.  Oh did I say lots of drinking... YAaarrrrgggg yep...
    I made lots of good friends in the bay. Many I still keep in contact with.
The smoking, drinking and late hours began to wear me down and I became bitter and irritated with my friends, so one night Mary came to me and said that the next day we were closed I should move out and end my employment.  I was mad at first but she did not like seeing me so sad.  She only wanted what was best for me.  She still does!  To my dismay the next day we were closed.  It was Thanksgiving.  The irony of life strikes again.
So once again I was the vagabondchef moving to the next destination in the journey.  Luckily I had my boat and I lived on it on the lake.  not a bad way to go if you ask me.  Although it was a bit cold in November.  I pulled the boat soon after that and became a couch surfing guru among my friends.  "Will cook for couch"  seemed to work among my friends. I will forever be thankful.