I am so happy to report that we were able to coordinate meeting up in Valdez with my cousin Carole and her husband Daniel. They took about a 7 hr motorcycle trip to come all the way to the coast to meet up with us. As best we can figure, it has been well over 25 years since we last connected. I enjoyed getting caught up with family news, and getting updated on what has happened since we were last in the same room. Carole was sweet enough to bring me a pair of handcrafted earrings that she made...VERY cool! After reminiscing for a while, we went to dinner and then they got back on the road to go spend the night at Ten Mile with family. Thanks so much, Carole, for going to the trouble to do that! I really appreciate it and really enjoyed the visit!
We drove back to Glennallen, and then on to Wasilla. The drive was spectacular, and we made it back to Wasilla in record time. We spent the last night in Alaska with Sharon and Ralph, and went out for a nice dinner with them. Later on, Henry started feeling not great, so he hit the sack really early.... next morning, we visited with Courtney and the kids once more time and then hit the road for Anchorage and the airport.
We were booked on the red-eye flight, but were fairly early. After stopping at Fred Meyers for medicine for Henry, we made it to the airport in the midst of rush-hour traffic. Turned in the rental car, and had to wait around to be able to check our bags. Once that was done, Henry crashed on a couple of chairs and napped, hoping to feel better before getting on the long flight. We finally boarded and flew to L.A. --- short 45 minute layover, and then we got on an America West flight to ABQ. That broke up the trip a bit, and made it seem not so bad. Henry finally started feeling better after we got back to ABQ, and ran a few errands in town. Headed for Angel Fire around 5:00 p.m., and noticed the smoke billowing north of Santa Fe in the forest....oh, and the heat in ABQ that day was over 100 degrees. A bit browner and drier than Alaska, that's for sure!
So, we were back in Angel Fire by about 8:00 p.m. that evening....GREAT to be home! We had an amazing trip to Alaska, and want to go back again in the future....Thanks to the Kilbournes for putting up with us, and thanks to the Johnsons for making the trip even more fun! It was wonderful and we love that state!
Here's a few random shots from Alaska, just to wrap things up!
The Garlands and Johnsons in Valdez:
Henry and Roz at "The Fat Mermaid" in Valdez:
Statue by Peter Toth
And just for fun, once again:
THE END!!!
