Living in Alaska - Life in the Last Frontier

I arrived in Madison as scheduled, with no problems with my flights at all. The flight from Anchorage to Minneapolis (which is usually very uncomfortable because it’s long and often crowded), was lovely, as nearly everyone on board had an empty middle seat next to them. Being able to spread out some, made things so much easier.

Having interesting seat mates also makes the trip go by faster, and I was fortunate to spend the long flight conversing with a woman from Kodiak AK, who moved to AK about 3 years ago with her husband. She was flying to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to spend time with her elderly mother, who wasn’t well. The time just flew by, and when we got off and saw that we were connecting with our next flights in different terminals, we said goodbye as many Alaskans do: with a big hug and a promise to keep in touch.

Minneapolis to Madison was a quick flight and before I knew it, I was in the lobby and Becky was walking towards me. It was so good to see her. The boys were waiting for me outside (parallel parked) and since I had no checked baggage, we were on our way back to their place in no time.

I didn’t have too much of a problem with the time change (+3 hours) but did find myself staying up very late that first night in town.

Yesterday (Thursday), I met an online friend (Yvonne) who was in Madison on business. Yvonne is a wonderful writer and photographer who contributes extensively to the IgoUgo travel website. You can see her profile here. Check out her reviews and journals, if you’re an armchair traveler, or might be heading someplace she’s already been.

I’ve known Yvonne for several years online, but this was our first meeting face to face. We enjoyed muffins and coffee at the local Panera and although Yvonne only had about an hour, it was a marvelous visit. I look forward to seeing Yvonne again this summer when her travels bring her back to AK for an RV vacation.

Last night, I took the family to Olive Garden for dinner. We don’t have an Olive Garden in AK, and I was craving a bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup. We all enjoyed our meals and came home with *doggie bags* too.

Today, Becky is off from work, and she and I have plans to do some shopping - a girls afternoon! I’m really looking forward to it. I’m not a big shopaholic, but there are so many stores here that we don’t have in AK so I plan to take advantage of it.

Tonight, we’re meeting up with our old friends from Philadelphia and I can’t wait. I’ve got butterflies in my stomach with excitement! No matter how much time passes, when I spend time with Denise and her family, it’s as if no time has passed at all.  These friendships are so special.  I hope to take a bunch of photos.

I hear the kids stirring now, so it’s time to put on my chef hat and make us all some breakfast.

I took a few photos of the kids, but don’t have time to download them yet. Photos might have to wait until I get home next week.

Until next time…

We’re leaving for the airport very early tomorrow (before 5am). I am so excited! I’m almost packed, and my biggest challenge has been trying to fit 10 days worth of stuff in a carry on bag so I don’t have to check anything. Good thing my kids have a washer/dryer in their apartment.

I will also be having a reunion with my best friend from my younger years: Denise Sutton and her family. Denise and I met when we were both about 17 and remained the best of friends until she and her family moved to WI. We still maintained our friendship long distance, but we also began to make new friends and our phone calls and letters started to become less frequent. Regardless, Denise and I went through so much together and she was my closest confidante for so many years. No matter how much time passes, we pick up as if we have just seen each other a few days before.  I’m sure many of you reading me have friendships like this. They are precious indeed.

Denise and her husband live on the western side of Wisconsin, in a small town. Her son and his family live in the Madison area, and her daughter lives in IL. My kids and her kids used to play together when they were all little. Denise will be turning 50 on Friday. She loves to tease me about being born in another decade (the 60s) even though our birthdays are only a month apart.

We have plans (all of us: me, my kids, Denise and her entire family) to meet at Denise’s son’s house for pizza and a reunion on Friday night. We’ll also be celebrating Denise’s big birthday.  I am so excited I can’t stand it! I haven’t seen Denise since 2002, and I haven’t seen her husband since at least the late 90s. With her kids, it’s been even longer! And my kids haven’t seen her kids in a very long time. Hard to believe they all splashed together in a kiddie pool at one time now that they’re all grown up. Where has the time gone?

I am also meeting up with several friends I’ve met through the Live Journal blogging community. I’ve already met my friend Kerry in person (last time I visited Madison), but this time I will be meeting her and one or two other friends from Minnesota - who are driving down specifically to meet up with me! We’ll be getting together on Saturday.

And then, last but not least, I will also be meeting my online friend Yvonne for coffee on Thursday - our first meeting in person too. She lives in eastern WI but will be in the Madison area for business, so we’ve scheduled a quick meeting while I’m in town. I hope to see her again when her travels bring her to AK later this year.

I am always so amazed at the people I’ve met through the internet. What a wonderful venue for bringing new friends into your life.  I’ve “met” so many people through blogging and various communities (and especially through this blog) and my life is truly enriched by all of them and YOU!

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I have a lot of photos to share, but it’s going to have to wait until I have more time to sit down and blog. I won’t be taking my laptop with me to Madison, so the photos I’ve taken over the last few days will have to wait. I do hope to use Chris’ computer to maybe post an update or two while I’m in Madison.  But if I don’t, you’ll have to wait until I get home in 10 days.

Last night (actually 4am this morning), the northern lights were dancing across the sky. I happened to be up, and was able to get some photos. They were gorgeous! I’ll post some the next time I write.

Right now I have to finish packing. It’s going to be a long day of traveling, but I know it will go quickly knowing that my boys (and my lovely daughter in love) are waiting for me on the other end.

Until next time….

It has been 2010 for three days now. I haven’t had to write the date on anything yet, but I wonder if I’ll forget and use 2009. It usually happens at least a few times. I know I’ve had to take a split second and think before typing the year on my laptop. It was much easier to tap the double zeroes in 2009, than to have to go searching for the 1, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.

On New Year’s Eve, I posted one of the photos from the fireworks show up at UAF, and I wanted to share a few more. It was a cold night and my hands were numb in a very short time. Three batteries died on me (the cold) and I had to take off my outer glove to get into my pocket for a replacement, which was torture. I wear glove liners, but when it’s -25F, they don’t do anything but keep me from getting contact frostbite. I was so happy for my autostart (yay!) and a warm car to climb into. Sedona was happy for the warmth too, I’m sure.

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