The key players consists of Ryan, Sherrill, Naga and O'Malley!
I (Ryan) was born in Colorado, moved to Missoula Montana to attend the University of Montana where I received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy. In the spring of our senior year, my buddy and I traveled to Ak. for the ski trip of a lifetime. We flew into Anchorage at night and woke up in Girdwood to blue skies, the snow-coated Chugach mountains and a swollen Turnagain Arm. The landscape was a fusion I had not experienced before. It was there that the dream became a reality and I first fell in love with Alaska and knew I needed to stay. Fortunately, the friend we stayed with in Girdwood turned me on to the possibility of becoming a sea kayak guide for a local company based out of Whittier. A week after returning to Missoula I purchased my plane ticket, packed 2 duffle bags and Naga, and moved to Whittier for my summer job.
From here the story is the same as many people who have "visited" Alaska; they come to visit and never leave.
By the end of the first season I had met Sherrill and not long after O'Mallie entered the scene.
Sherrill was born and raised in Anchorage Alaska. She attended Smith College where she received a B.A. in Biology. Sherrill had planned on moving to Japan to teach English, but our intersection derailed these plans and we began our life together. Sherrill received a certificate in Massage Therapy from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She and two friends opened a massage therapy clinic in Anchorage. After 5 successful years her passion for knowledge and desire to make a positive contribution to society spurred her to attend Bastyr University to get a Masters degree in Nutrition.
While she provides support in multiple ways, her expertise in nutrition and cooking, aides Paddlers' Realm in offering healthy meals and accomodating all specialized dietary concerns.
Naga was born on a ranch outside of Ennis Montana. O'Mallie was born in Eagle River Alaska. She is a Husky/Malamute mix. Both have traveled and adventured more than many people.
Six years after this Alaskan adventure began I started Paddlers' Realm, we got married and bought our first house in Wasilla, quite an exciting summer!
10 years in and looking back, we've lived all over Southcentral Alaska- from remote homesteads to shacks in Girdwood. For 2 winters while Sherrill attended Bastyr, I lived in Seattle and moved back to Alaska to run the business. Most recently I have been in Boulder for a few months while Sherrill completed her intership in Houston.
After this New Year we're looking forward to being back together with our friends and family in Alaska as well as Paddlers' Realm's upcoming 5th season.
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