Back at it.

What a busy week it’s been!

Sunday flew by – as they tend to do when you’ve got work the next day! Monday morning I flew out to Shaktoolik, about a 15 minute flight. It struck me rather funny that I was heading to my job first on a plane and then on a sled hooked behind a snowmobile. It was about 5 minutes of dark riding on a “dog sled” over rough tundra terrain. I was literally laughing back there as I thought about how a week earlier we’d been doing this as a form of recreation back in Minnesota.

Shaktoolik’s visit went pretty well. The facilitator there was my mentor last year, so it’s always nice to catch up with her. She’s so very kind and invites me to stay in her extra room – a welcome alternative to a classroom floor! We had a nice dinner, about half the staff was there, and then visited into the evening. Monday morning my plane came to take me back to Unalakleet early, and I was ready to make my 12:00 connection into Anchorage.

When I arrived at the Hageland Aviation counter, they informed me that the plane switched back to it’s original schedule and that I was 4 1/2 hours early! That’s pretty normal out in the bush – they once called me 15 minutes before the plane touched down and told me we’d be leaving 2 hours early. Rural Alaskan life is helping to teach me flexibility.

Anyway, I did, eventually make it to Anchorage. I’ve been here since Tuesday evening and was supposed to leave tonight… so I thought! After I left the school around 4:30 this evening, I went to check out what movies were playing since I had 5 hours ’til my flight was supposed to take off. Well, nothing appealed to me, so I spent the following 45 minutes lost around Anchorage. I’m terrible here. I know how to get to a bunch of places, but I have to start at the hotel or I get lost. So, that was the situation tonight. I finally did make it to the airport, returned my rental car, and went to get checked in. When the stupid kiosk told me it couldn’t print my boarding pass and to see an AK Air agent, I didn’t think much of it. When the agent told me there were no more flights to Nome tonight, I panicked! Yup, I was supposed to be on the 9:20 AM (!!!!) flight. Oops.

So, here I am, at my second home – Anchorage Courtyard Mariott. My buddy, Sam, was happy to check me back in. I can’t even believe I know these people by name.

Hey, did you hear about the volcano eruption up here. Apparently, it just “spewed” up a little ash, but they’re thinking it could be a foreshadow of what’s to come. If that happens it could put a damper on travel in AK. I’m just hoping I make it to MN first!!!

Miss you all!