Meet the Lodge Family
Our top rated local Alaskan team makes sure that each guest has a tailored, in-depth experience offering a trip of a lifetime. Let us show you the best of Alaska!
Your Hosts
The McBride Family
Morgan McBride
Morgan is a lifelong Alaskan, world traveler and jack of all trades who grew up at the Lodge. He has spent most summers of his life on Kachemak Bay and is a talented naturalist guide with a wealth of local history. Morgan is a boat Captain who co-owns the Lodge with his sister, Shannon and is the one who keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes. In between traveling and exploring the world, he has spent winters in Hawaii, in India, and at a Buddhist retreat center. He loves to volunteer and is supportive of various charitable organizations in the community.
Shannon McBride-Morin
Shannon grew up at the Lodge and now co-owns and operates it with her brother, Morgan. Shannon was lucky enough to come home to the Lodge with her husband Chris, and raise their two girls Sophie and Sabina spending most summers with her in China Poot Bay. What a great place to grow up! Now her girls are grown, and she enjoys winter skiing, women's hockey, and traveling the world in the off season. She recently did a 200 mile walk with girlfriends, and is excited to be planning her next adventures.
Meet the Team
Lindsey Baird
Lodge Team
Lindsey has worked at the Lodge since summer of 2013. After taking time off to play mom to her daughter Juniper, she’s so excited to be back and share this beautiful place with you all! She splits her summer season between here at the Lodge and over in Homer with her husband, Davey, running their small boat business offering wildlife tours and water taxi. She feels so fortunate to have grown up in Homer and can’t wait to explore with you during your time spent in China Poot Bay!
Eryn Field
Lodge Team
Eryn was born and raised in Homer, spending her whole life exploring the Alaskan wilderness. Now she splits her time between Alaska and college in Florida, studying biology and marine science as well as running competitively. She enjoys tide-pooling, kayaking, and pretty much anything active in the outdoors.
Denise Jantz
Reservations/Marketing
Denise has lived in Homer for over 27 years and is the first point of contact for the Lodge. With a passion for Alaska and Kachemak Bay, she loves assisting guests with their trip of a lifetime. She also enjoys exploring with her dogs and spending time at her second home located in the Wrangell St Elias National Park. Denise has been with the Lodge since 2013.
Summer McGuire
Lodge Team
Summer grew up in Homer and has a degree in sustainable community economics. She is an avid mountain runner, skier and loves introducing children to the outdoor world through painting and drawing. This will be her fifth season working with the Lodge family.
Mariah McGuire
Lodge Team
Mariah was born and raised in Homer, spending childhood running around and climbing rocks on the beaches. She travels a few months out of the year and is on a continuous language learning journey. Her joys come from creativity of many forms, including: painting, instruments, dance, flower arranging, and cooking. When not housekeeping and making hot beverages for others, she's often eager to join her friends and family on trails and the water.
Cole Pomaikai
Executive Chef
Cole comes to us from Santa Cruz, California, with his roots originating from Kaua’i, Hawai’i. He has been cooking professionally for over 20 years and loves to fish and forage for wild foods. When he’s not in the kitchen, you can find him outdoors, either exploring new terrains, or enjoying familiar trails.
Anna Rath
Lodge Team
Anna has worked as a guide in Alaska for six years. She has a background in science communication and is interested in local environmental conservation. Anna spends her free time in the summer foraging and fishing around the Kenai Peninsula. She loves getting outdoors with her dog.
Joe Ravin
Lodge Team
Joe is a lifelong resident of Homer and looks forward to summers at the Lodge year after year. He has a degree in environmental studies and loves backpacking, camping, board games, sports, meeting new people, and good conversation. During the winter months he enjoys snowboarding and traveling to appreciate the beauty of the world.
Martine Sorensen
Lodge Team
Since 2015, Martine has been the person behind the scenes procuring all that is needed to keep the Lodge up and running, from lumber for building projects to fresh ingredients for your Chef. A Homer resident for over 40 years, her passions include gardening, propagating and selling houseplants.
Parker Sorensen
Lodge Team
Parker has been with the Lodge since 2013, and his family ties to nearby Homer go back three generations. He has a degree in Environmental Ethics from Quest University in British Columbia. Parker is a bush pilot, mountaineer, and backcountry enthusiast who has a passion for wild unexplored places.
Lily Westphal
Lodge Team
Born and raised in Homer, Lily has been with the Lodge since 2014. Every spring, she manages Kachemak Kelp Hub, a proof of concept pilot project supporting the growth of seaweed farming in Alaska. Lily has a background in marine biology and loves baking bread, skiing, gardening, looking at tiny things, and enjoying time!
Bek Weston
Lodge Team
This is Bek’s fourth season guiding in Kachemak Bay. She grew up in Minnesota and has a background in Environmental Studies, with a focus in geology. She has a passion for creating community and cultivating curiosity while exploring wild places. In short, she may not have the answer, but she certainly has more questions.
Tucker Weston
Sous Chef
Tucker was raised in Homer, Alaska and has always loved learning about and working with food. At fifteen years old he began a seven year climb up the culinary ladder. After a short hiatus to collect sea time and gain perspective for winter employment, he is happy to be back in Homer for the summer with a captains license to help share, explore, and expose our guests to what is to him, one of the most special places in the world.
Sitka
Lodge Team
Sitka is friendly, energetic, adores hikes, and watching over the Lodge grounds. She especially loves chasing squirrels.
Our Founders
Diane McBride
Diane and Michael built the lodge in the late 60's and early 70's. She is an extra tough pioneer. As an educator, she worked with Homer public schools to provide an environmental education camp at the Lodge for every fourth grader in Homer for over 35 years. Diane is an avid gardener, artist and has sewn all the handmade quilts in the Lodge cabins.
Michael McBride
Michael has more than 50 years’ experience as a master guide, interpretive naturalist, and bush pilot. He built and created the Lodge with Diane from the ground up. He is enjoying semi-retirement with his family around the Lodge and at Loonsong Lake. Michael has served as a Smithsonian National Board member and is a member of The Explorers Club.