She knew how I felt about Josie, and as my big sister, she was determined that I not let Josie leave town without letting her know how I felt about her.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Alicia, Palmer’s sister, puts pressure on Palmer not to let Josie leave Alaska without talking to her about his interest in marrying her. Alicia worries that if Palmer does not marry Josie, that he will not get married. Josie is the only woman whom Palmer has ever been interested in marrying.

People would take the passenger ferry to get to and from the lodge during the fishing and hunting season — the only way in and out of Ponder unless you could afford a seaplane.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: The author stresses how difficult it is for people to leave Ponder after the passenger ferry makes its final trip for the season. If Josie misses the ferry, she will have very few options...