Homecoming

It really was good to get back home last night – even though we were met with several very disappointing challenges. The time we spent in Alaska was tremendous. We enjoyed the scenery, the food, the weather - for the most part – and we enjoyed our time with Maggie, Aaron and Cathryn.

When we first got to Juneau, Maggie and Aaron took us to see the glacier. The part of the ice field that covers over 1500 square miles comes out in Juneau through a mountain pass to a lake that shares the Mendenhall name. It was quite amazing to see and to stand within only a few hundred feet of its base.

Maggie and Aaron allowed us to use two passes they had been given to go on a whale watching tour. That was probably the highlight of our time there. We got to watch three mature humpback whales and a smaller young one with the group. We were able to get dozens of pictures as they surfaced and blew their breath out then dove back down again to feed – curling their tales above the water on the way under. It was quite a sight.

Mama and I were able to get some pretty impressive jewelry at 60-70% off since all the touristy places were packing it in for the season. All of the jewelry stores but one was closing on the 24^th so they were really motivated to sell. One store we particularly liked was owned by a man who lives in Victoria, TX. He also incidentally lived for ten years in Edison, NJ. We hit it off pretty quickly and he gave us some extremely good prices on a ring and earrings Mama liked.

On the way back home Mama and I stayed over in Seattle, WA for a day and a half. We got some incredible pictures there also. But by the afternoon on Tuesday we were very tired and ready to do the final packing of our luggage for the trip home – which started at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning.

We got into DFW around the 1 pm mark and had our luggage pretty soon thereafter. Ernie and Raylinda met us at the airport for the transport back to Decatur. They actually drove our car to come and get us. We took them out to lunch as a thank you and that’s when we started to have problems. The automatic door on the driver’s side would not close and stay closed. We ended up pulling the fuse so we could close it and get them to their vehicle.

Mama and I had to listen to a very annoying alarm all the way home because whatever sensor that signaled that the door was safely closed was not making contact. We dropped the car off at the mechanic very soon thereafter. I am not sure what the repairs will entail but we will know more later today or early Monday. We have other vehicles to drive to back up our transportation needs but that is not money I am liking forward to spending.

When we finally got home we discovered that Kira, who is in heat right now, soaked our bed with blood as she made herself at home in our absence. Our quilt and bedding under it may be ruined as a result of the stains. Mama will try to get them out today at the Laundromat but she is not very hopeful.

I would be happy to continue to use them but Mama sees those things differently.