Beside me, two twenty something strangers have dosed off to
never-never land. I almost feel obligated to snap a picture of them to share
when they wake. They’re both beautiful people and this could be the start of
something magical. But, it’ll probably go to waste. My sleeping friend next to
me is either casually working the “head on her shoulder angle” or oblivious and
out cold.
Since I’m keying this entry here, you’ve obviously figured
out that I’ve been forced back on to the plane and am on my way back to
Kivalina for the second half of the school year. Christmas vacation has, no
doubt, been one to remember for the ages. I will have plenty of blog fodder to
write about here in the next few days. So, if you’re so inclined to care about
the happenings of Yukon Cornelius while back in Minnesota – hold your horses.
I’ll write when the spirit moves me.
For now, it’s time to order up that complimentary Coke and
savor every last drop of it. I’m going Cold Turkey again when I get back to the
Rock. (I’ve got my eye on 200 pounds.) It’s time to look out the window a bit
more and daydream about the last two amazing weeks of my life with my wife and
kids at my side. Time to smile and soak it all in.
It was perfect. They are perfect. I miss them already.
Next stop – SEA/TAC
PS –
Now at cruising altitude and a couple of hours in there are
yellows, oranges, pinks, whites, greys and blues all meeting at what has to be
the Rocky Mountains. Back in Alaska I’ve
missed the “true” sunrise and sunset as we’ve entered our dark season. But here
on my westward flight I am again amazed at the view out my window.
“The Big Lebowski” plays on my laptop and although it’s a
classic, it’s barely able to keep my interest. Soon the daylight will be gone
here on this first day of 2016. Soon I will be hours and thousands of miles away
from Minnesota. But right now, it’s all too fresh. I don’t know what to do with
my nervous energy. I can look at the peaks and valleys below and metaphorically
match it to the next four and a half months of my life. There will be many more
peaks and valleys back teaching in the Northwest Arctic Borough School
District. But there will inevitably be more Godly sights such as this. Hopefully.
My Mind skips back and forth from this movie player to my
most recent memories made with Michele, Emma and Logan. And then skips right back
outside this window again.
Not a cloud in the sky – cold mountains below and a tasty
orange and yellow on the horizon…it’s breathtaking. Yet, I’d rather be standing
on the back hill photographing, watching and listening to my children sled with
their friends, always stopping just short of the lake.
Everyone should see this view.
And never take for granted the views out their backyards…
the ones that they’ve grown accustomed to.
PSS – I’ve crossed time zones. Last night was New Year’s
Eve. I had a couple of cocktails. I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions
for many months now and the last 2 weeks have been euphoric…with that, I’ve
lost my way in the time and space continuum. That’s the long way of saying, I
have no idea what time it is. But what I do know is that on our decent in to
Seattle the peaks of the Cascades are visible with the backdrop of the sunset
on the western coast of the Lower 48. Again I am mesmerized by the beauty. I
want my children to see this. I want my wife to see this. I’m comfortably happy
that this time, my trip west contains fewer unknowns. I know what to expect on
the Rock and I know that I’ll be home again soon.
I don’t think flying in the dark from SEA/TAC to ANC will be
this awe-inspiring.
1 comment:
When you & yours come out to visit the PNW we can give you pointers on cool things to do... summer or winter are best in my opinion depending on what activities you want to do... spring and fall tend to be the most unpredictable weather-wise.
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