October 5 - “Neeext”

We had to check out of the lodge by 10, but our guide wasn’t due to arrive until 11:15. Fortunately, we were able to use a few of the luggage carts to store our stuff. 

Finally our guides for the week, Brad and Aimee, arrived. We joined forces with four other folks, one from California and the others from, of all places, Texas. Brad was from Alaska. Aimee was from Argentina (the farthest south town before you get to Antarctica). 

Our first stop was Alaskaland. It was kind of a theme park designed to highlight the history of Fairbanks with a particular nod to gold mining. The museum docents were really knowledgeable. Not a bad way to start our official weeklong tour of Fairbanks. 

From there we made our way to our home for the week. It was a brand new lodge built up on a mountainside outside of Fairbanks. The rooms were pretty spacious, as was the bathroom. We had a lunch in the large common room. Broccoli/cheese soup and a ham and cheese sandwich. Honestly, just the right amount.

A meet and greet followed, along with an introduction to the week’s events. Then we met Jack, the proprietor of our fine establishment. He assigned us rooms and explained the workings of the lodge. Sounded like this whole week is designed to create family-type relationships as well as meaningful experiences. 

To prove that point, “our six” stuck around after dinner and talked with the staff for a really long time. Aimee in particular was a lot of fun to listen to as she told stories about Argentina and other guide assignments she has had around the world. 

The nighttime guide also arrived and did a presentation on the lights. She’s the one who wakes us up in the middle of the night if the lights show up. And that she did. 

For quite some time we thought it would be too cloudy to see anything, and it was at the start (consider 9 pm to be the start). We grabbed 40 winks (not much more than that), when the alarm sounded in the room. We sprang to our feet (one of our springs may or may not have been springier than the other). We flew into some clothes, grabbed the super-powered coat they issued us, and headed for the viewing deck. 

Sadly, it was still pretty cloudy, but the lights provided a faint glimmer through the obstruction. Undaunted, we stuck with it, listening to the expert explain even more details than we could ever hope to comprehend about what was going on beyond the cloud cover, and chatting with our fellow lights chasers. 

We went back inside around 2:30 to warm up a bit. (Besides, prime viewing was supposed to cease around 2). We were talking with Cary and KayLynn when a commotion began to arise outside. We hopped up to see what all the excitement was about. 

Sure enough, the cloud cover was virtually gone. And the lights began a private showing just for our tired little group. They raced and rolled back and forth across the sky, tumbling and swirling in the kind of array we had only seen in videos and on TV. And the best part? All six of our travel group were present and accounted for. 

I got a few pretty good pictures with my phone. Chris had the big camera set up, but I guess it was too cold to mess with. Besides, this was just one of those experiences you just have to … well … experience. Breathtaking. And to think … it may all be repeated tonight. And tomorrow …

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭10‬ says, God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Father, thank you for our new friends like Nancy. Bless them all. And thank you for bringing those beautiful lights back for a visit.  Amen. 

October 4 - “There they were!”

Remember what I have said in past days concerning early mornings? Never mind. We went to bed around 10 or 10:30. Nothing unusual there. Besides, I was getting regular updates on Caleb’s football game, so I had to be up anyway. 

However, the alarm was set for … drumroll here … 2 a.m. Our flight was set to depart at 6:03, so that made our arrival time at 4. That, my friends, is an early morning. 

Our seats were in business class. Still 3 to a row, but more leg room. Two rows behind first class. Way better than coach. They kept announcing that it was a full flight.  I walked back to the rear bathroom, though, and there were numerous empty seats. 

I did have a bit of an encounter during that excursion de toilet. As I was returning to my seat, suddenly a tiny little head popped out right in front of me. The baby couldn’t have been a year old yet. I stopped, admittedly a bit startled. But I managed a quick smile and a “Well, hello!” The little one responded immediately with a wide grin and began to chuckle. Mom seemed quite relieved. Chris told me later that it was probably that youngster who was crying when we first set out. Well, Little One, you certainly brought some joy to my heart.  

After a brief layover in Seattle to change planes, we jumped on our flight to Fairbanks. It took about the same length of time as the first one. Three and a half hours or so. Enough that I watched the rest of the Steven Spielberg movie I started earlier. 

Our approach view out the airplane window was pretty spectacular. A little different than the Mount Rainier we saw coming into Seattle. Here there were lots of mountains, and every one was covered in snow from top to bottom. We also passed over a river. No idea what the name of it was, but the contrast of the mountains and the river valley made the view unbelievable. 

Our hotel for the first night (and the last few as well) was not far from the airport. Pike’s Lodge. Interesting side note about the room. The air conditioner was covered up with a sign on it warning us not to turn it on after September 15. Well, it was 30 degrees outside, so we were ok with that. Anyway, there was a box fan in the room, so Chris’ need for nighttime noise was met. 

Our lunch/dinner (our bodies had no idea what time it was) was at the restaurant attached. Halibut fish and chips for me. Halibut chowder for Chris. Yum. 

Speaking of eating … after a rest period of watching Texas Tech football (there may or may not have been some dozing in between scores), we gathered in the lodge common room in front of a fireplace and ate some ice cream. We also listened in on a reunion of sorts that involved bagpipes and tartan kilts and lots of music. How’s that for an unexpected start to our Fairbanks experience?

Oh! And I guess I’ll have to include this paragraph as part of yesterday’s experience. We got a phone call from the front desk around 11:50 or so - just before midnight, so technically yesterday. The lights were making an appearance! We hastily got dressed and grabbed our coats. 

We saw pretty much nothing for a good while. But we persevered. We changed the part of the sky we were staring at. We pointed our phone cameras upwards (we read somewhere that the camera could see what we could not). But finally, after we walked around the entire perimeter of the hotel, Boom! There they were! At first there was a long line, almost like a rainbow. Then the line slowly changed shape and got wider. The cell phone trick appeared to work as well. The images were beautiful. We even agreed to have a lady take our picture with the lights in the background (she saw the freezing old couple and took pity on us, I guess). It turned out great. 

Cary came out after a while. Kay Lynn was really exhausted, so we didn’t see her. Cary had been taking some pics from their balcony. Not sure about Larry and Diane. Hope they saw it. 

Guess we can go home now. Well … on second thought … as Cary said, “I’m staying. I paid for the whole week.”  

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬ says, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Father, help us get some sleep tonight so we can stay warm on these crazy cold excursions. Amen. 

October 3 - “Road trip, part one”

We are officially on the road again. First stop of the road trip portion, part one … Buc-ees, Madisonville. Didn’t really need gas. Just a bathroom, a barbecue sandwich and a Gold Leaf sweet tea. 

When we hit Mansfield we stopped at Walmart for some gas. We may or may not have also walked around inside. And we may or may not have purchased a bag of candy corn. Hey. Chris has to have her sustenance on those long airplane flights. 

We finally arrived at the Winkle’s house around four. We spent the afternoon catching up with good friends. Kay Lynn had a roast and some mashed potatoes ready for dinner. Then Cary pulled out an array of Blue Bell ice cream flavors. I tried banana pudding for the first time. Not too bad. Tastes a lot like, well, banana pudding. 

We chatted a while longer, but we all had to be at the airport by 4 a.m., so we shut it down before too long. 

Now … yawn. It’s around 2a.m. Time to load up and get to the airport. Let’s go.

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ says, We love because he first loved us.

Father, bless the Winkle’s. And come fly with us. Amen. 

October 2 - “North to … well, Arlington first”

We started out the day as a typical Thursday. That means Clean House Day, of course. I did the sweeping and vacuuming. Chris did the bathrooms and whatever else she could find. 

We also took another look at our packing strategy. I think mine is done and ready to go, except for my meds. Chris was still debating on some of her long sleeved t-shirts and sweatshirts. But we are out of here this morning, headed to Arlington to spend the night at the Winkles. We have to be at DFW airport at 4 a.m. for our 6:03 departure. Yawn. North to Alaska!

I finished up the last of our errands while Chris finished up the last of her house cleaning strategy. I went to CVS to get Chris’ vitamins. Then I went to the bank to cash a check for the trip. I also showered my thanks upon Yuli and Brandi while I was there. They were the ones who helped get our money back and get accounts closed and new ones opened after the hacking. Thanks again, ladies!

We had our last home group meeting last night. Well, until we get back from Alaska. Had to get ol’ Solomon to finish up his prayer of dedication of the temple. Now we wait a few weeks to see what comes next. 

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭5‬ says, We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Father, thanks again for Yuli and Brandi. Continue blessing them. And please join us on this next adventure! Amen. 

October 1 - “Suitcase Stuffing”

Chris had physical therapy again, and they taught her a few more tortures - er, I mean exercises. Just in time to take them with us to Alaska. Woohoo!

Meanwhile I plodded through my two and a quarter mile trek around and around the clinic. No significant new interactions. I did get a big grin and a cheery “Good morning!” from the cleaning lady I see all the time. I guess she finally recognizes me. She used to just duck her head and turn away. So that one’s a win. 

Our afternoon was spent packing. Yep. We hauled out the suitcases and set about filling them up. There was one fun extra involved in that process. We got to play with our new toy. We got one of those tiny little vacuum cleaner things that comes with the plastic bags. You cram as many clothes as you can into the bags, then turn that vacuum cleaner loose on it. All the air is summarily sucked out, and in an instant, you have way more room for other junk. It doesn’t make the suitcase any lighter, but there is lots more room. Genius invention. 

We also watched the Astros’ last game of the season. They have figured out a host of ways to lose games to the White Sox in the post season. Sigh. Oh well. At least now it’s college football season … 

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭19‬ says, And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Father, bless that maintenance lady at the clinic building. Give her some good days ahead. Amen. 

September 30 - “The infamous Rocket Ship Park”

After a homemade breakfast quesadilla, we went for a walk. Chris made it two miles. I added an extra mile to that. We started around 8, but it was still really hot. Phew!

Back home we started on washing clothes. A day late from our usual laundry day. 

Things are starting to pile up in this final few days’ home stretch to Alaska. Chris started weighing her backpack in anticipation of the puddle jumper flight to the Arctic Circle. I think we are allowed five pounds each. So far she is right on the money. I, on the other hand, haven’t started. Maybe by Thursday?

Noa and Ezra dropped by. They had been playing with some friends at the infamous Rocket Ship Park over at the airport. Why infamous? That’s where Nathan broke his arm really bad back in the day. Sadly, the place lived up to its name. One of the youngsters they were there with fell and broke both bones in his arm. Whoa. Déjà vu all over again. Remember that, Nathan?

Our afternoon schedule was pretty much set in stone. The Astros had their first playoff game against the White Sox. Didn’t turn out so well for the good guys. But they play again this afternoon. We’ll see …

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ says, Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.

Father, be with that youngster who broke his arm. Ease his pain and heal him quickly. Amen. 

September 29 - “Beach Witch”

Chris physical therapy appointment was an early one, especially for her (NOT a morning person). She had to be there by 8:15. She did well getting up, though. When 6:30 rolled around, she dragged herself out of bed. Gotta love that woman. 

The therapist worked her shoulder over pretty good. Whether Chris can tell it or not, she has come a really long way since the surgery. I did get in my two and a quarter miles. I did get a bit sidetracked, though. I stopped to help another Astros fan in a wheelchair get through a door. He was wearing Astros pajama pants. Way to represent. 

I saw something I had to look at least three times before I could truly fathom what it was. As we drove along the seawall, I saw a witch flying on her broom along the sand out by the water. Very gracefully draped long dress topped off with the pointed hat and everything. On my third or fourth stare, I finally made out that the apparition was indeed gliding upon the sand, only on one of those one-wheeled skateboard things that moves on its own. Eerie sight, indeed. 

At Walmart (not for bananas. They do sell other things) we ran into not one, but three of our friends from around Galveston. Julie just moved back here after a long hiatus in the mystical northlands beyond Texas. Doug was standing in line at the bank, so we let him be. We did get a quick hug from Charlette,  though. Great to see you guys. Hey. What’s a Walmart for if not to connect with friends?

After a brief stop at the house we were back in the car again. Chris was finally getting the teeth cleaning she had to put off last week. I went with her and read a book in the lobby while she was in the back. Well, I may or may not have also snuck in a little nap. 

The reason for my accompanying her was more than just enjoying her company, although that is certainly the case. We had a few stops to make on the way home. Academy was first. I had hoped they would have some Astros division champs t-shirts. No luck. In fact I looked online. The only place they were available was MLB.com. $45 was a bit steep for my blood. 

From there were stopped at Randall’s.  I had a prescription to pick up, and it was, after all, Cheap Chicken Monday. Eight pieces of dark meat for $6.99. Good stuff, too. 

Last night we took in another Little League game with Ezra as the star, of course. He laid down a perfect drag bunt for a hit. The good guys won the first game 11-5 and the second one 6-4. Woohoo!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭11‬ says, And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

Father, be with Julie and Charlette and Doug. Bless them every day. Amen.