My Visit Comes to an End
Tomorrow, I fly home to Alaska. I can’t believe my time here in Wisconsin has come to an end. It has flown by, but we have had the most awesome time with each other. Every time I see my kids, it makes me a little more sad that they don’t live near me - or vice versa. I hope another 16 months doesn’t have to pass until our next visit.
Today, the snow is coming down sideways. The winter storm warnings started two days ago, and it’s finally arrived. Yesterday I drove out to Waunakee - a small town northwest of Madison - to meet up with an online friend named Kerry. Kerry and I met five years ago via blogging, and this was our first face to face. We had a lovely time, but couldn’t do what we had originally planned (visiting Mt Horeb to see the trolls), because the back roads weren’t in the greatest shape.
Kerry and I went out to lunch, and when we left the restaurant, the sidewalk, trees, and car were encased in ice. What I thought was rain, was sleet, and what a mess it made! I had to chip the ice off of the windshield, and after dropping Kerry back at her house, I made my way back to the kids’ place very slowly and cautiously. I had forgotten what it was like to drive on ice, but soon my “Philly driving skills” kicked in and I did OK. Most importantly, I got back to the kids in one piece.
The landscape around Madison is absolutely stunning. There are farms and barns and silos dotting the surrounding area. The reds of the barns against the snow are striking. I took a few photos, but not as many as I hoped to get - there aren’t many shoulders along the roads to pull off onto.
Today, we might go sledding - if the snow and wind slows down a little bit. Right now it’s too cold out there. I also hope to make a dry run to the airport, so I can find my way out of here tomorrow. I’m driving myself as I rented a car at the AP and need to return it there.
I’ll make a more detailed post with photos after I get home.
Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my wonderful and loving husband, Steve! I’m sorry I missed his special day, but we’ll celebrate both our birthdays when I get home. I’m ready to go home. While I hate the thought of leaving my kids, I’m missing my husband and can’t wait to see him again.
Susan,
It seems that snow follows where ever you go. Please come to Chattanooga, TN. We haven’t seen the white stuff in far too long! Have a great reunion with Steve and Happy Birthday to you both.
[Reply]
Comment by Charlene — December 9, 2008 @ 9:10 am
Hi Susan,
Its great to hear of the wonderful time you are having in Madison. I’ve been thinking of you often throughout the week. I waved to you when your plane was flying over MN too! LOL
Have safe travels back to Alaska and hopefully the kids will be able to get up there again real soon!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO STEVE!!!!
[Reply]
Comment by LynnMN — December 9, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
Hi Susan I’m so happy that you had such a very wonderful times with you kids (you are like us We still calls ours kids too)Please do have a very safe flight back to Alaska I know that Steve will be very happy to see you We will be waiting to see some of those pictures you took while you were there
Just want to say Welcome Home Susan
Love John and Shirley
[Reply]
Comment by John & Shirley Strauser — December 9, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
Time with kids is wonderful and exhausting. Precious, happy, loving, exhausing times! I loved having all 4 of mine and their families last year with us during the holidays in my little 1200sqft house but am looking forward to a quiet year this year - kinda. My DH’s birthday is the same as Steve’s and many HB wishes were in the air. Arrive home safe and be well.
[Reply]
Comment by Mary — December 10, 2008 @ 4:40 am
Yaaay! I’ve been checking to see if you’ve had time to post. Don’t you find it’s “colder” down there than in Alaska? I think the wind makes a huge difference.
Can’t wait to see pictures! LOVE barn pictures. Hope you took a few of those. Happy belated birthday to Steve! Glad you had that time with the kids. Merry Christmas!
[Reply]
Comment by Karen — December 10, 2008 @ 5:37 am
Safe travels and can’t wait to read that ‘detailed’ post! Bring Cheese!
[Reply]
Comment by Another Susan — December 10, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Have a safe trip home. Can’t wait to see the pictures. And Happy Birthday to both Steve and you!!!
[Reply]
Comment by Abby C. — December 11, 2008 @ 9:38 am
So you flew back into Fairbanks yesterday…it just occurred to me that it was the same time of year (first part of December) that I flew into the Fairbanks airport with my Army officer husband as a newlywed 30 years ago. I vaguely remember it was so dark! and the ice fog! I do remember the thought, “What have I gotten myself into?” Here we are, 30 years and three sons later, still together. We live in a more temperate clime now, but still insist that someday we will go back to Alaska to visit. You know that saying about how you leave a piece of yourself in Alaska when you leave?
[Reply]
Comment by Brenda — December 11, 2008 @ 12:45 pm