An Alaskan Farewell from Kate Bull and friends

Last Saturday, February 27^th, a group of us gathered in Girdwood, Alaska, to honor Ricardo. Most of us in Alaska who knew Ricardo will not be able to attend the gathering on March 13 in SLC, and we wanted have a few ski runs and tip a glass or two for him. Rob Retherford generously organized Cathy Frost’s Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood for post-skiing events. The day could hardly have been more perfect.

Saturday morning began on the slopes with a friends’ farewell to Ricardo. Nick Enos, my husband-- Terry Honeysett, and I went to the top of Christmas Chute, a favorite run of Rico’s at Alyeska ski resort. Nick and I each took some of Ricardo’s ashes and tossed them together into the air with fond farewells. Caroline had asked us to spread Ricardo in spots he loved in Alaska, and we were only too happy to oblige. We didn’t get the 1^st chair, as Rico would have, but the sun came out just in time… he’ll guard the top of the chute for us now.

We spent the rest of the day skiing the hill with more friends, such as Rob Retherford, Stan Foo and others—way more low-key than a Presnell ski day, but just what we all needed, and a great way to recall the fun we’d all had on various slopes with Rico.

The evening festivities at the lodge included fresh-lime margueritas, incredibly good food, old friends, slides and stories. Nick and I shared slides of a ski trip we took with Ricardo into Fairy Meadows Hut in B.C in 1999, Terry and I shared photos from one of Ricardo’s visits to Fairbanks last summer, and Trisha had set photos from the blog to music for all to enjoy. And, we can faithfully report to Caroline, that we (at least those of us who didn’t drive back to Anchorage) danced! It had to be done.

Raven Glacier Lodge

Dessert!

Joe Kurtak and Trisha

To me Ricardo was the glue holding so many together, an hysterical bright spot in my life and in any gathering. His optimism was contagious. He was also one of my most loyal friends—always calling to check-in, visiting me in Tasmania where I schooled for 4 yrs, making sure to stop in Fairbanks whenever he could. He always supported me in my work, and encouraged me to return to exploration when I was ready. Ricardo was a friend forever.

Everyone at our gathering last weekend noted that it was so wonderful to see eachother again--- what a sad thing that it took such an excuse to get together… we need to try harder to come together without the loss of good friends. Still, Ricardo is a great excuse to laugh, ski, eat and dance. He’d have had it no other way.

6/09 Fairbanks, AK