Port Protection is located at the northwestern tip of Prince of Wales Island, the third largest island in the United States. Best way to get there is float plane or boat. There is about 25-75 people there at any given time, mostly commercial and sports fisherman. Busy place with a relaxed atmosphere, people are care-free and thankful for your business. We delivered our hand-trolled salmon there every 4 days. Unloading our fish, cleaning the fish-hold, re-fueling, laundry, lunch, shower and groceries was our plan. Out on the water food was fuel to keep fishing. My husband was a die-hard and we mostly ate pbj’s, canned soup, salmon and rice. So after four days of fishing from dawn til dusk, I was so ready for Port Protection and the feeling of touching down, if for only an afternoon.
Calm, relaxed and happy always…lighthearted and hungry for smiling faces, honest conversation, and good food. The restaurant doesn’t even have a name, just 4 booths and 4 seats at the counter. Regular menu; grilled ham & cheese, burgers and fries, beer bits and coleslaw. No fancy kitchen either, only a flat-top, microwave and 4 burner stove.
In my life I don’t think I have ever drawn-out a meal so much as theirs.
Fleece pants, extra-tuffs and sweatshirts we sat down with someone new every time. Lunch with stranger in Alaska, never. Everyone was friends before they exchanged names. We would laugh and all the worries of life evaporated like the steam in the never-ending cups of coffee. Stories of ‘the one that got away’ and weather were chatted up.
North, South, East and West, high tide and low. The sunsets and were off… Out of Port Protection and back onto the wild ocean.
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