Alaskan Adventure
So I spent 10 days in Alaska...I still can't believe I can say that now. More things I can't believe I can say:
- I didn't die on a boat out on the ocean.
- I got to see a glacier up close and personal(and lick glacier ice)...and hear the thundering sound of it shifting/cracking.
- I got the chance to support the beautiful love of two of my friends by being a bridesmaid.
- I was 70 ft from a grizzly bear.
- I was even closer than that to a moose.
- I've eaten moose.
- I climbed the most strenuous trail at Denali National Park...a 1300+ ft mountain (Mt. Healy).
- I've seen Mt. McKinley.
- I've been to Seward, AK, with a group of friends from Seward, NE!
- My bridesmaid bouquet survived a 6 hour plane ride and 12 hours in the car only slightly worse for the wear. (It was too beautiful and wonderful smelling to leave behind!
It was a LOT of traveling in 2.5 weeks, but I really love to travel. It isn't really fun to live out of a suitcase for that long, mind you, but it was without a doubt worth it. Here's how it went down:
Left here on May 22nd and drove 4 hours to Iowa. Stayed overnight, took Joel with me when I left in the morning to drive the 8 hours to IL...with a side trip to the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA, since it was on the way. Literally a dream come true for me. The next few days were a blur of WI/IL family time and last minute errands to get my dress ready.
Flew out with the 2 Joels on Wed. the 26th (after a 2.5 hour delay...which gave me time to charge my iPod for the 6 hr flight. Score). Had great travel buddies, the most hilarious flight attendant ever, a BEAUTIFUL flight, and an even more beautiful reunion with the Reason for the Season (aka the newlyweds-to-be) at the airport.
Spent the 10 days up there hiking, playing Rock Band (supplementing all the memories of playing at school), hanging out with their families, and hanging out with 9 other friends from school (plus a few new AK friends). Also went camping, out on a boat on the ocean to see animal life and scenery (gorgeous), experienced rough ocean waters (in the same waters they film The Deadliest Catch), and played an epic game of Apples to Apples (we're talking 14 people, 7 teams).
The wedding was fantastic and beautiful. There were only a few glitches that got worked out, thank goodness. The reception was a blast, too. We did a hockey face-off entrance (these two met through their h.s. hockey team), and then we proceeded to dance like crazy for the next 4 hours...with a killer rendition of "Livin' on a Prayer" by us crazy college kids (like we used to sing all the time in the car) -- including an amazing air guitar solo. ;) It was truly one of the best memories I have with these people. I mean, all 10 days were, but the wedding was the best. It was such an honor to be there, but it was an even bigger honor to be a part of the wedding...to know that these are two people who I've grown up with so much in the past few years, who have supported me and who I have had the chance to encourage, too, and see their love grow...to be able to celebrate that deep love they share...it was such a blessing.
We flew out on an overnight flight the day after the wedding (the Joels and I were the last to leave), ALMOST got bumped to first class, slept maybe an hour (thanks to Joel's shoulder!), and then spent time with my family for my birthday. Felt old for being tired enough to think about going to bed instead of the bar, haha.
Got up on the 8th, packed the car up, made a few last stops, and hit the road back to Iowa (no stop at the Field of Dreams this time). Stopped long enough to eat and relax a little, then back on the road to NE. Work from 12:30-6 the next day.
Whew.
The worst part of the trip (besides leaving) was also the best...getting to spend so much time with 9 other people. Now I have to MISS them all! And I started missing them the second we all parted ways. They were the heart and soul of this trip, and the whole reason it was as great as it was. Adjusting to flying solo after that has been a little weird...but we're talking about doing another trip together. Hawaii 2013, here we come!
~"If we catch you smoking in the lavatory, we will ask you to step out onto the wing where you will become our feature presentation of Gone With the Wind." [our flight attendant on the way to AK]~