SeaTac airport was quiet at that hour, we checked in, breezed through security, and got in line at the Starbucks kiosk. Just as Arkansas had a Walmart on every corner, you can't throw a rock in Seattle without hitting a Starbucks. Since I own stock in both, I'm happy about that. The large Java helped but I spent a restless night...too excited I guess about flying to Alaska. People watching at this hour was about the only sport. Looking around the gate, I noticed almost everyone was dressed for adventure; overstuffed backpacks, Teva and Keen footwear, Columbia or Northface clothing, ruddy complexions, and lots of tired, sleepy expressions (like ours). Depending nag on which part of the world you start from, just getting to Alaska is a long haul by any mode of transportation. The flight from Seattle is 3 1/2 hours, gaining another hour from Eastcoast time.
We found our seats and stowed our bags. A young kid - mid twenties - was already seated by the window. He gave us a cheery 'hello' and promptly fell asleep before the plane even took off. Dressed in camo, a ripe smelling jeans/sweatshirt, I assumed he was going hunting or fishing. Breakfast was serve, but my young seat mate didn't even budge; I ordered breakfast for him anyway. When he finally did wake up, he told Paul and I he was from a small town in West Virginia and was headed to Nome Alaska! He had been traveling for the better part of two days. Seems his wife was already up there with her aunt, he had a job lined up in construction. Admitted that when he left Charleston, it was the first time he had ever been in an airport! He was about as country as they came. Paul made the comment to me later "there's always a women to blame for a mans moving around, isn't there Honey?" I had to agree, that boy was chasing tail all the way to Nome Alaska, as far as you can get and not be in Russia!
Our van driver from the Anchorage airport - Ron- was a crusty, Nick-Nolte-looking guy who was full of suggestions for our first day in the city. He circled several things on the map, and made sure we understood the lay of the land before he would even let us out of the van! Map and luggage in hand we walked into the lobby, still in time for breakfast. It was only 9a, couldn't check in yet, so we grabbed more coffee, stowed our bags and clutching Rons personalized map, boarded the shuttle downtown.
It is cold, wet, and breezy. Downtown Anchorage is in stark contrast to downtown Seattle. We consulted Rons map and walked toward the water where an outdoor market was sprawled along the city parking lot. Interesting items, handcrafted jewelry which I will have to make a few selections before leaving! We walked down the hill to the Ulu knife factory and bought two sets. Large, flat blade knives that have a carved handle; originally used by native Americans to filet fish. Trudging back up the hill, it's starting to sprinkle, we located the reindeer hotdog vendor ( Ray said to only put ketchup on one end, then you truly had a Rudolph!!), shared a reindeer sausage - not bad- and headed back to the hotel. We would return later for dinner at Humpys Alaskan Alehouse, which was packed with a mix of tourists and locals. The halibut was to die for, as well as the berry cobbler adorned with a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream! So far so good, tomorrow we rent the bikes for a ride down to Seward.
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