Can you see the Mountains?

Just landed in Anchorage. Out one side of the terminal I can see a tree filled hill and from the other (the one in the pic) I see mountains off in the distance behind the hangar. I wish I was sticking around longer but I'll have to come back on at least one more trip for a coat if nothing else. It's sunny and cool and very pretty.

My First (Semi) Up-Close View of an Alaskan Airlines Plane

Made it to the West Coast

2 flights down, 2 to go. I'm getting there be it ever-so-tiring a day. I never liked packing my bags super full or having super heavy carry-ons but moving across counrty'll do that to a person. I just have to make it through the night then I can rest a while.
Thanks for those who waved at my flight leaving town. Warm fuzzies ensue.
P.S. Sea-Tac has a lot of trains to ride and switch from one to the next. Glad I had practice with the Boston train system.
Sent from my iPhone

Waiting in Atlanta

At the airport...

Alright friends, this is it. I'm sitting in the terminal right now waiting for my flight to board. I'm in for a long day but I'll get there one way or another.
On a more... Something-note, I've held it together overall pretty well. That is besides the going away party with people from work and his morning as I hugged my family goodbye. Dad stayed with me in the area just before the security check-point and it was bitter-sweet.
There were things I wanted to do that didn't get done but Ultimately, it's nothing that can't wait to be dealt with later.
Just hum "Leavin' On A jet Plane" and wave to me as I depart for a whole new experience.
Sent from my iPhone

Bit of a Change

As I was attempting to check in for my flight this morning (24 hrs in advance, which got me up at 5:50am), I was a bit surprised to find out that I had an updated itinerary. Instead of leaving at 5:50am, my first flight now departs at 7:00 am, not bad for the non-morning-person that is documenting this particular fact this morning. also, I'm being routed through Seattle instead of Portland and I now have two flights on each airline instead of 3 on one and 1 on the last. My first and last flight of the day are the same.

Another couple surprises... 1) I can't check in online because there are too many legs to my flight so I'll have to get to the airport in time to check in and check luggage in the morning (ugg). 2) Since the airlines I'm traveling on are affiliated with one another, I don't need to collect baggage and re-check, my bags will be checked all the way to my destination (yay!). 3) The last legs will be on Alaska Airlines, and I've never flown with them. I called to ask if my previous legs were delayed, if because Bethel is such a small airport and it looks to be the last flight of the day, if Alaska airlines held flights from their connections and they DO NOT. (double ugg!). I get why and all but I just have to hope that all my travel goes well enough to catch itself up with itself as we go. After checking the weather across the country... it looks relatively clear but with possible showers here at the departure site as well as the arrive site. I suppose we'll see what happens.

T minus just under 34 hrs

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of spending the afternoon with a wonderful woman who lived in Bethel for 11 years in the 60's-70's. She was a teacher and had many excellent stories and crafts to share with me. The artistry in the basket weaving, fur/skin work, doll and mask making as well as the ivory carving was truly remarkable. I can only hope that many of these art forms are still alive and well when I arrive. I will hopefully be able to write to my new friend periodically (as she is not "wired"). After talking with her, my anxiousness for all of this has increased.

Mom took today off and we did some small things to relax and get ready. The closet is filling and the rest of the house is emptying. My luggage is mostly packed with mr needing to do a load of laundry tonight or tomorrow to finish preparing. I'm seriously debating staying up all night Sat night to make sure everything gets done and to make absolute sure I don't sleep in.

Oh, to those who have my #, the VA # will work for a little it before I get my new phone. Unfortunately the new one was a bit backordered.

Cross your fingers for me.

Sent from my iPhone

Pack and Load Day

Hi guys. Sorry it's been a few days since updating everyone on progress. I've been working pretty non-stop on getting little errands done and getting the little odds and ends together for today's 'pack and load'.

We just got here so the movers are getting supplies for loading things up. Hopefully it won't be too bad for any of us.

Sent from my iPhone

Getting it together...

The last couple days have been working on the list of little things: going through bathroom products and making sure it as divided into send and toss (making sure nothing was flammable that was going); dividing clothes up and emptying out stashes of clothing here; putting computer paraphernalia together in a computer bag; picking my carry-ons vs checked bag and figuring out which stuff can be mailed later and which stuff I truly need quickly. I need to make a trip to storage this weekend and divide things up and organize a bit better so I can pull things out that I don't need.

Pack and Load is Wed, the 1st and I fly out next Sun am (bright and early).

Goodbye Dinner

Last night was the goodbye dinner courtesy of my 'old' job.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of people there. It's cheesy but it gave me warm and fuzzies. It's amazing when you have a moment and realize how much affection there is in one place. I tried very hard to keep it together but when the time came to actually give hugs and walk away, the floodgates broke and the water fell... and fell... and fell. So much so that I got a cry-headache.

To those who were there: Thank you very much. It was great to see everyone again and say goodbye.

To those who weren't: I send you virtual hugs and thank you for all the time we spent together.

Yesterday was used as more of a mental health day. I didn't get all that much done towards the move, but I was able to get a couple little things done that are time consuming. This morning I'm making a list of all the things that I need to get done and when I'd like to get them done.  With the pack and load date being set (June 1st) I have a better deadline for some things than others. I s'pose it's time to get my nose to the grindstone.

Apparently Wild Turkeys Can Fly

We just drove between two hills in W Virginia and a wild turkey flew overhead. Not what I was expecting.
Sent from my iPhone

2 weeks

2 weeks from today I get on a plane.

This weekend has been busy. Yesterday was a wedding for a cousin on Dad's side and today was an open-house at my maternal grandmother's house to say Hi and Bye with mom's side of the family. Needless to say, I'm a bit tired and we get in the car to drive back to VA.

Sent from my iPhone

Rapture?

So I'll be spending today with some of my family (cousin's wedding, wonder if the date was an intentional selection) if in fact it is the end of the world. Enjoy your weekend all.

Sent from my iPhone

West Virgina mountains