I've been away. Now, I am back. A quick update...
- Mom and Dad arrived safe and sound, ready for our trip to SE Alaska.
- Mom, Dad, Leah and I boarded a jet plane for Juneau...
- Spent a day in Juneau and boarded a ferry for Sitka...
- The ferry was awesome, luxurious...we saw wales, played cards, took naps, and I caught up on work...
- ...we hung out with our very dear friend Shanna Tadic...and her husband Danny...and her bean...
- We boarded a plane for Skagway...
- We rode the White Pass & Yukon Route train, ate wonderful seafood, and hiked...
- We hopped back on the plane and enjoyed spectacular views on our way back to Juneau...
- ...we checked in to the Silverbow Inn; tasted wine; ate the most delicious, best tasting, user friendly crab legs I have ever eaten; and then headed for the Alaskan Hotel & Bar "the most local bar in town" for a drink...
- ...left the bar at 9:00 PM (we were exhausted)...
- ...went to Taste of Juneau, which was actually in Douglas. Honestly, it was a below-average taste of "some" of Juneau...
- ...headed back to the Silverbow Inn for more wine tasting (this was a free event each night)...went up to my room to grab my camera off the end table to find it was not there...I looked in my backpack, nothing...looked in everyone's purses/bags, nothing (it was at this point I realized I left my camera on the back of my chair at the Alaskan Hotel & Bar)...went back to the Alaskan Hotel & Bar, nothing...
- ...ate dinner at a great pizza place in Douglas...
- ...went back to the Alaskan Hotel & Bar to check with a different bar tender, nothing (my camera was stolen)...
- I left Juneau feeling sour, disappointed, guilty, sad...
Therefore, I have no pictures of our trip to South East Alaska. Sad, yes, but luckily we have memories in our minds that will last forever.
Upon our return to Anchorage, I had loads of work to do and loads of work to complete during the week. Mom and Dad stayed four more days before leaving back for Iowa. I worked, they played.
When I completed my project on Sunday afternoon (after more than 82 hours in the office all week...I'm anal...I counted), I "celebrated" with the purchase of a new camera...a Nikon...and a new lens. I LOVE it so far and am looking forward to becoming very familiar with the camera this week while in Portland. I am here for work (thrilled about the opportunity to meet with the individuals in Oregon that directed the state in becoming smoke-free) and am staying and spending time with Eric, Tauni and Eliza....
and Leah. She came, too.
To a happy Solstice, learning about tobacco policy, a sunny week in Portland and a bit of relaxation...
Cheers!