Travel Adventures

If you've read through my Bucket List page at all, you might have noticed a trend that a lot of items revolve around travel. Have to admit, I'm slightly addicted. I came to this conclusion once again this summer. After a 4 month trip over four continents and numerous new cities and countries, I came home to humble little small town Alaska. It is always nice of course, to be home for a bit, but it never takes long before the travel urge comes upon me. Several weeks after being home, I worked an early morning shift at the airport. I entered a commercial plane from the rear through a catering truck. It was one of those random times where the lights were actually off on the plane and no one else was on, besides the 3 of us who just entered. At that moment, standing in the back facing forward past all the rows of empty seats, I took a deep breath. And the all too familiar aura of airplane flooded my senses, I don't even know what it is, or how to describe it. All I know, it brought a smile to my face. I realized then that if an cold, dark, empty plane can bring me such happiness, I must be addicted to aircrafts, airports and travel.

One of those travel items on my bucket list is to book a flight for the next day. Well, I can now scratch that one off. At the end of August I headed out to the Lower 48 for a friend's wedding. Usually when I leave the state, I try to make it worth my while, so I figured I would stop in a different state on the way to the wedding and another state on the way home. What I didn't count on, was a friend texting me randomly as I was getting ready to leave AK that I should come to Chicago. For a baseball game of all things. Now, let me be very blunt. I love sports, almost all sports, but baseball is definitely NOT one of them. However, the person doing the inviting I like a lot. And I like her family. So, I tossed the idea around in my mind for a couple days.

I was chilling in OK visiting other really awesome friends, all the while, I kept checking flights, prices and the status of my passes. Finally, I decided to just do it. I only live once right, and this family is only in the states once every 4-7 years (or something like that). Why not!? Just a booked a flight with miles and just went.

Arrived in Chicago in the early/middle of the afternoon, then had to wait for 45 minutes for my bag to show up at baggage claim. Rode the metro to downtown and got off right at Wrigley stadium. Had to wait a little bit for my friends who were driving up for the southeast part of the suburbs. We had pizza at a local place before heading into the game. Now remember, I don't like baseball but the company was great. Even made a new friend and it was actually a somewhat exciting game.

Wrigley Field

great company at the baseball game

Also got to spend the next day chilling with the family. We hung out at the house, playing games, singing, had lunch at a gyro place, ran around and played an intense game of Assassin at a nearby park. Even changed my ticket out and went to church with them Wednesday night. I had an 5am flight out the next morning, so since we were an hour away from the airport, I told them to just take me at midnight instead of getting up at 3am for the drive. Figured I'd get into the airport and find a place to sleep for a couple hours before my flight. Buuut.... arrived at the American airlines terminal and it closed from 10pm-3am. So, in a quiet empty terminal entrance I laid down on the cold, hard tile floor and tried to sleep. Not exactly what I was hoping for, was counting on a somewhat comfortable, at least softer, bench to lay on. And they painted the side of the post I was laying behind while I was sleeping. Crazy.

Not my favorite to only get 3 hours of intermittent sleep at night, especially at the airport, but I still think it was worth the crazy trip. :D

Fall Time in Interior Alaska

Went for a hike yesterday. Actually, it was more of a walk, than a hike, as it was pretty level ground, but it was beautiful. I missed about two weeks of our fall time since I was traveling in the states. Down in the Lower 48, it was still very much summer weather, with lots of sunshine, hot temps and rain. Meanwhile I was missing the majority of our autumn, as it is a very short season. Monday night when I stepped out of the airport terminal to walk the short distance to my car, I could smell the rich, loamy scent of Alaskan fall. It is like no other smell I've ever encountered, uniquely all its own. I knew I had to get out in the woods before it gets too cold. 

So, my plan was to go out Friday morning, but I woke to pouring rain. Grrr, while I like rain, this is not pleasant, warm rain, but miserably cold rain. But by 2pm, the skies had cleared and I thought I'd better go instead of waiting until the next day, since there was no guarantee it wouldn't rain again. (we've had so much rain this year!!)

I drove about 40 miles from my house and set out. It was a bit mucky and muddy in places, but was so amazing to be out in the quiet of the forest/tundra. The trail I went on had a rough boardwalk for most of the way. And believe me it was necessary! I could have worn water boots, then I could have set out on my own path through the tundra, but one step off the boardwalk with my sneakers and I quickly jumped back. The ground was pretty waterlogged. 

I was on the lookout for bears, but didn't see any wildlife while walking. Though I did see a baby moose on the drive home later. The brilliant fall colors are pretty dull by this point, but it was still beautiful. My God sure is an amazing artist! Maybe not this year, but I will be going back to that particular trail, as I only did the 3 mile loop and there is a 15 mile one. 

Always refreshing to be out in the quiet, alone. No cell phone, no music, no talking, just me and the Lord. Though I wouldn't mind a hiking partner sometimes. Anyone want to come visit and go hiking with me!?

When Dreams Change

As a young child, I had many dreams and ambitions for my adult life. There were so many ideas and options, how would I ever choose? I dreamed of being a pilot, contemplated a paramedic career, fantasized about a Federal agent or spy vocation, thought about novel writing, considered joining the military, and many other occupations. One dream stood above the rest; I always imagined that regardless of what vocational path I choose, I would be a mother first and foremost. For a while, I even thought having 12 kids would be awesome. (not sure where that idea came from) :p

During that time, looking ahead at life, I was sure by the time I was 30 years old, I would be married and be raising four or five kids. My life would be secure and I would be happily serving God somewhere by my husband’s side.

Now at 30 years of age, I look back at life and wonder at all the amazing things God has allowed me to do. None of those particular childhood dreams have come to fruition, yet I have been blessed beyond measure and would not change any of it.

Not only has God blessed in ways I never dreamed of, but he has slowly, surely changed my desires and given me new ones. I am not a pilot, yet I have traveled to 40+ US states and flown to 20+ countries. I am not a paramedic, but at one time completed an EMT-basic course and used my skills to splint broken fingers and “fix” sliced toes. I have yet to write a novel, but am a blogger. I do not belong to a branch of the US Armed Forces, but I am in the Lord’s Army, fighting for the cause of Christ. And though I am not a mother, over the years, God has placed all kinds of people in my life for me to love. I want to love people, encourage them spiritually and challenge them intellectually. As a child, I assumed one day I would be a mother and would be able to pour my passion for people into my own children. However, that was not God’s plan, BUT I have such a unique opportunity to dispense love to so many.

Looking ahead, I never would have guessed at all the places God directed me to, or imagined the incredible people He would allow me to meet. Yet, here I am, not where I thought I would be, but with extreme gratitude for all my past experiences and friendships. And an excitement fills my heart at the unknown path stretching before me. I may not know what the next 30 years holds, but my God, who knows me better than I know myself, has my future in His hands.