The Amazing Adventures of Eric the Eagle
Eric was a peculiar eagle. He only flew when it was absolutely necessary and yet he loved the sensation of a warm summer breeze in his feathers. When he arrived at Painters Lodge; on his way to April Point Resort & Spa, he ran as quick as he could down to the dock to catch the complimentary Water Taxi, but found out he was #13 for a boat that only carries 12. Lucky for Eric, eagles do not count as humans, and there was plenty of roof seating available, which suited him just fine.
Off he went to April Point. Once he arrived, he met the cheerful dock crew, and enjoyed their company as they carried his bags to the Front Desk Reception area. Eagles don't have hands you know; carrying luggage becomes quite a challenge. The Dock crew were very helpful, and led Eric to the Front Desk Reception area where he was again greeted with smiles all around. He could tell he was going to love this place!
Quickly and efficiently the Front Desk girls checked Eric into his room, gave him his key and assigned him his fishing time for later that evening. Eagles love to fish. Off he went, walking just behind the dock crew who were still carrying his luggage, and were now showing him the way to his room. Upon arrival, Eric opened the door and dropped his beak immediately.
It was the most beautiful nest he had ever laid his eyes on; the girls at front desk must have made a mistake he thought... but there was no mistake. The dock crew were still there and reassured Eric that this was in fact his beautiful nest, and it was all his for the night. Incredible he thought. Eric walked in and saw immediately the care and attention the Housekeepers had put into his room. Soap in the shower, a fold in the toilet paper and a note to welcome him...
He could get used to this. After a quick fluffing of his feathers and some more admiring of his nest, Eric was ready to make his first trip around the lodge.
He figured, as he was a 20 year old eagle and a lover of anything fishy, that he would start out with a drink at the Bar and a quick snack at the Sushi Lounge. What could be more perfect?
The staff were extremely helpful and informed Eric of all the great things to do while at April Point Resort & Spa and sent Eric straight away to the Spa to make an appointment for the following morning. Fisher Eagles need relaxation time too.
He left the Spa and made his way further around the property, and started to realize why April Point is considered one of the most beautiful places to be on Earth. The scenery is impeccable. The Smells are infectious. The people are incredible; it's perfect.
After lounging on the chairs for a bit, Eric made his way down to the dock for his Fishing Adventure! Again, the dock crew were imperative in getting Eric suited up and getting Eric where he needed to be to meet his guide and start his trip.
4 hours later, Eric was one happy Eagle. His guide had helped him land 3 fish! One Chinook, one Sockeye and one Pink. Food for the family he thought, so he got his guide to clean his catch and he had it sent home through the St. Jeans Cannery right to his tree step. Eagles live in trees you know!
While filling out his St. Jeans order forms, Eric noticed a bright red scooter helmet sitting on the counter in the Fish Centre, and he knew exactly what he was going to do next.
After a few minutes of paperwork and a 10 minute instruction on how to operate a scooter, Eric was on his way.
The trip of a lifetime. 2 hours he was gone, and he loved every millisecond of that ride, but it definitely made him hungry. In he went past front desk right to the hostess stand, where he met the Dining Room service staff who, again, were all smiles.
A very cheerful place he thought to himself. One of the bussers noticed that Eric was travelling alone, and since they were slow that day, she offered to sit with Eric to keep him company until his food arrived. How sweet of her, she really didn't have to do that! Maybe that's what makes this place so great; the people.
Dinner arrived right on time, and was absolutely delicious. Who knew you could catch a fish and eat it at the same Resort that very same night? The chef had left Eric speechless, and off he waddled back outside to gaze at the scenery just beyond the helicopter pad, and to put his talons in the cold Pacific Ocean that surrounded the Resort.
It was the perfect night he thought. After a short walk he ran into a Crew member from the dock who was re-arranging the checker pieces on a life-size board.
Luckily he had time for a quick match; however Eric didn't tell him that he was a world Class checkers player. What was to be a short match was an extremely short match, and off went his opponent back to work on the docks; sad as can be. After a full day like that, Eric was definitely one sleepy Eagle! Slowly he made his way back to his way back to his nest, which in all honesty was room #1 in the Main Lodge at the resort. Calling it his nest made Eric felt more at home. In he went, up the stairs which after this long of a day look like a tower; it's too bad he wasn't more accustomed to flying.
He brushed his beak, and off to bed he went. This was the perfect day he thought to himself as he laid in bed... I only wonder what this place has in store for me tomorrow.
~ A story by Leif Nordman
