(It’s all) About Me
The Highliner Lodge was conceived and built to bridge
my past career in commercial fishing and my family’s
future as owners of the Highliner Lodge. From the
beginning, an ambitious and difficult construction project
(that suited my hard scrabble personality as wrestler and
commercial fisherman) has evolved into a more personally
challenging business that requires relaxing a little,
developing personal relationships, and... even having
fun!
This may not seem challenging to some...but given my
background, it has required some effort. Being a natural A
type personality (I want you to know), that I am committed
to being the best damn B type personality that I can be!
;) The Highliner Lodge has helped to bring my family
together. Had I continued my solitary life on the ocean, it
is doubtful that we would have developed such a strong a
bond and shared experience.
Our son, Ryan (20), who attends the University of
Washington has developed a very strong work ethic, and has
a natural charm that endears him to our guests. He is our
deck-hand/fish-processor and aspiring charter captain.
Ali, our precocious 14 year old daughter, also has
demonstrated a maturity and dedication far beyond her years
as she washes dishes, cleans rooms and boats, and serves
meals to our guests.
It is also very pleasing to find both my older boys,
Joe (29) and Jon (26), owning and fishing their own
commercial salmon trollers out of Pelican in the summer. I
take great pride in their efforts to establish themselves
professionally and in their personal grace when interacting
with our guests.
And of course, my lovely wife Jill, who never aspired
to the complexities and stresses of this enterprise, has
risen to the challenge beautifully, and fully supports my
ambition to see the Highliner Lodge distinguish itself as a
premier destination in Alaska.
While I have experienced some personal success in my life
as a wrestler and a commercial fisherman, these were mostly
individual accomplishments. As determined as I can be, I
know I can’t fully realize my goals here at the Highliner
Lodge without the support and dedication of my family and
our crew. With their continued love and support, together
we can accomplish great things...and I have to
remember...to have a lot of fun along the way.
Sincerely,
Steve Daniels
February 12, 2008