London for a Day

Well, after four days of trying to get out of Alaska, five flights and countless hours spent awake, I made it to London. At the last moment, I upgraded to BusinessFirst class, because I was tired, would be flying through the night and arriving in the morning. When traveling internationally, I prefer to arrive in the evening, because I know I will be tired and I like to go to bed soon after arriving, which helps me get on the right time zone quicker. There were seats available, so I jumped at the opportunity. And boy, was I not disappointed!! Amazing service, excellent food, comfy seats, additional accessories provided AND a seat that flatted into a real bed, of sorts. Well worth the upgrade fee. 

mid-flight snack in Business class

Arrived in London about 9am. And because of flying Business I was able to take advantage of the United Lounge just outside security, hot shower and breakfast provided. Yes, please! I took my time, as there was wifi there and I needed to plot my course to my accommodations that night. 

Later in the afternoon, I ventured downtown to walk and explore a bit. I had been to the city six years prior, so wasn't really doing much in the way of tourism, just walking. It got dark earlier than I expected. And since I was there during the end of the business day, everyone around me on the streets seemed so absorbed and focused. Guess I would be too, after a long day in the office and all I'd want is to get home and relax. It was strange however, to be strolling along the streets with everyone rushing by you and hardly anyone making eye contact. 

I didn't do much, besides grabbing a quite bite for dinner and walking probably 5 miles around the Thames River downtown. I headed home early to get that sleep I needed so desperately. The next day I would head out for the countryside, the real reason I had come back to the U.K. 

on the Thames

Tower of London

famous Tower Bridge

Sister Trip to Canada, eh?

You may know by now my family is a bit hockey fanatical. Today I am a hockey fan and for that, I blame my sisters. It didn't used to always be that way. But one year I came home from a trip and all my siblings had become devout hockey fans. I trailed behind for a while, but then I jumped on board. Might as well keep the family thing going, eh?

Oilers vs. Blues

So last week, my youngest sister and I had plans to travel to Edmonton, Alberta for a couple NHL games. Began the week by driving from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Beautiful drive! We haven't had much snow yet, so the roads were clear and dry. The sun was high and bright in the clear, blue sky and hardly anyone on the road. All that equals a great road trip. Arrived in Anchorage, ate dinner, then dropped our car off and got a ride to the airport.

beautiful day for a drive

Now.... the thing is we were traveling standby, which means we only get on the plane if there are seats available. When I checked the flight, there were 8 unpurchased seats and 13 standbys. Not so good, BUT we got on! I think we were the last two on the flight. Buckled in and ready to fall asleep (late night flight). Then the captain's voice came over the intercom..... small leak on the ground outside, gonna check it out, folks.

Twenty minutes later, uh we are going to deboard you, cause you'll be more comfortable in the terminal, than on the plane while the mechanics take a look. Yeah, I work at an airport, I know what that means.... either a very long delay or canceled flight.

Three hours later, they finally confirmed that our flight was cancelled. By that time, it was after 3am. So little sister and I slept at the airport for a few hours. Gotta love sleeping with all the lights on and random announcements over the intercom every hour or so. When we got up the next morning, we went and had breakfast, then did a bit of shopping and then hung out at Barnes & Noble for a few hours. I may or may not have fell asleep in the comfy chairs by the fireplace....

Back to the airport in the middle of the afternoon for our new flight. Because of it wasn't a scheduled flight, but one they created because of the cancellation the night before, it wasn't full! We both had a row to ourselves. Praise the Lord, I could get some more sleep!

Arrived in Denver, where we had to spend the night, this time in a hotel. The next morning, we flew the three hour flight to Edmonton. I had intended to read or sleep during that flight. However, my seat companion, some guy from Alberta was quite chatty and we conversed the entire time. Well, more he talked and I listened.

FINALLY, we arrived in Edmonton! Only a day later than planned. And Kate was there to greet us! Then the fun began. :) We picked up our rental car, drove to where we were staying to drop our bags and fresh up and then we went downtown. First on the agenda was dinner. Kate had one of her favorite restaurants she wanted us to go to. It was made better when we walked in and there at the back of the very small restaurant was a table of hockey players. Ha! And they were from the Blues, the team we came into town to see play.

with part of the Blues team

downtown Edmonton

with the Great One - Gretzy

The next couple days consisted of much talking and laughter, driving around town, shopping at the huge malls, eating, later night runs to Tim Hortons and of course Hockey! We talked to a couple friendly security guards at the brand new Rogers Arena the night before the game and they asked if we had been inside. Course we hadn't, cause nothing was happening in there that night and we thought it was closed. But they told us there was an open door and to go on it and check it out. Only the big hall was open, not the rest of the arena, but it was pretty awesome to be able to look around with no one else in there! The next night we were there with thousands of people.

inside the new Rogers Place arena

nothing like giant bobblehead hockey players 8)

cheering for #55 on the Blues

One the way back home, we again spent a night in an airport, but we made both our flights. At the very last minute, which is a little nerve-wracking, but I survived. And then we had the drive home after flying all day. Arrived home at 1130pm Saturday night and I had to work at 4am the next morning. But oh well, so's life.

It was a great trip and one I'll cherish for a long time. Nothing like sister bonding time at the airport and hockey games. :)

Once in a Blue Moon

I don't know how many times I've used the phrase "once in a blue moon." This July there was an actual blue moon. Though I don't know why it is called that, since the moon isn't actually a different color, it just means that there are two full moons in one month. Guess it doesn't happen very often. Well the day of the blue moon, I actually had a once in a blue moon time. :) 

A coworker of mine has his pilot's license and we've talked for a couple years now about him taking me flying. We almost went last year, but something broke on his aircraft, so we had to postpone it. Every time he would text me, I had other plans and couldn't go. But one evening in July, he texted me and I was able to go! I met him at his plane and we took off into sunny skies. It was a perfect evening for a flight. He asked if I wanted to fly over my house or go south across the river looking for moose. Of course I choose the latter. I lost count how many moose we saw. It so amazing to see these amazing animals in their own environment. After the first couple moose, I started praying that we would see a bear. Moose are cool and all, but a bear would be so much more awesome! Not long after my silent prayer, we came upon a black bear. We swooped down to have a closer look and he stared up at us and watched as we flew by. So awesome! It was a perfect ending to a hectic week. 

two bull moose watching a cow

the Super Cub we flew

Tanana River

The Traveling Life

I love traveling. Not just the part about going to new places and experiencing new cultures and languages, but also the the actual travel part. Flying is part of the adventure (even though I do admit the 9+ hour flights are a bit long). And airports are some of my favorite places to hang out. Seriously. 

People watching can be so entertaining. Just have to be sure not to laugh out loud so they don't know they are being watched. And I can stare just as well as any one else. I have to resist the urge at times to make faces at those who are staring... my mom always told me it was rude to stare, but guess that's not universal. 

chilling at SEA-TAC airport

Sipping coffee or munching on a meal in airport, just part of the traveling scene. Sometimes the food's great and other times... well let's leave that memory alone. The price can be out of this world, too. Whew. 

7 hour layover in Bangalore

Personally, I love layovers. At times, I purposely plan for layovers of more than 6 hours, then I can go out and explore. On my way home from the last trip, I had 27 hours in Dubai. Figured since I was traveling through anyways and it didn't cost any more for the flight to stay longer, why not? But it did cost me more in the long run... hotel, transportation, tour, etc, but it's not like I'm passing through Dubai on a regular basis. 

tallest building in the world - Dubai

I heard once that Dubai had more cranes than any other city in the world. And I believe it! There's buildings going up everywhere. Amazing how they have made a city at the edge of the desert. In town, you see green grass and trees, massive buildings and a regular city, then a random city block of sand. And outside of town, the sand dunes stretch on and on. And on. 

hotel construction

Have to say I like international flights better than domestic. For one you get food. :) And usually the flight attendants are much nicer. Not to mention the personal TV screen in each seat. This was my first time flying Emirates Air, but have to say, it's one of my favorites. Their food was better than most, service was great and the seats all have individual plugins! Was surprised to find out the flight crew was from a diverse assortment of countries. I don't think I met anyone actually from UAE. On one transcontinental flight, there were flight attendants from Egypt, UK, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Lithuania, USA, Thailand, Ecuador, China and a few others. So cool. 

Representing Spain  - USA - Egypt 

Alaska - Land I love!!

ALASKA!!!  

Land of the Midnight Sun. The Majestic Land of my Birth! I was just going through my memory cards recently, trying to clean them off for a big project I and others are working on.... might tell you about that sometime. ;)  I had a great time looking at all the pictures from Rock Crossing Bible Camp and other occasions in Alaska during the past couple years. Thought I would share some pictures with you all. After looking at all the pictures, I am ready for camp again!!! :D 

always an adventure when flying in a small plane! 

the copilot seat is the best! (and sometimes scariest)

over interior Alaska

nearing in on Fairbanks

south Fairbanks!

along the Tanana River - one of my favorite places in the world!