Back to Washington

Monday, November 9th, and the this adventure is coming to conclusion. We woke to coffee and bagels. I opted to pack while Earla and Rosemary headed off to the Arise Bible Study group. I thought that I'd have a major task, but packing proved to be fairly simple except for the concern that one piece of luggage just might weigh over 50 pounds. Oh, well, what is is.

Rosemary and Earla returned with interesting comments about the study and with a one price postal box. We proceeded to unwrap all of the school supplies that Rosemary's fourth graders had donated for children in Tanzania. Earla loaded as many as she could get into the box, and bagged the rest for her carry on.

Then, we enjoyed one last meal with Rosemary. We had the delicious taco meat from a couple of dinners earlier with rolls, and shells, and all of the toppings. We loaded the car and headed toward the bus station about 3:00.

Arriving at the bus station, we purchased our tickets, tagged luggage for the Alaska terminal and sat for a few minutes tow wait. The bus came and we were off to Logan Airport in Boston.

The bus ride took about an hour, we were dropped off at the Alaska terminal, got checked in and headed toward the gate. OH, that piece of luggage only weighed 48 pounds.

When we found the gate, we were hungry so took turns finding food --- we were not carrying our stuff one step further at that point. Starbucks provided sustenance - iced lattes, cookies and bananas.

It was not long before it was time to board the plane. We found our seats and were pleasantly surprised to find, when it was time for take-off, that we were the only two in our row, so we had an empty seat between us. It was announced that the flight would be 5 hours and 59 minutes. "Oh," I said, "that sounds like a lot less than 6 hours." Earla said, "I don't think so." She was not amused.

We settled in and, when it was time to order food and of course pay for it, Earla opted for another snack pack and I opted for a cheeseburger. Both were satisfying. Ginger ale and water completed our snacks. I did some Sudoku, some reading, and finally fell asleep. When I woke up, I found a cookie waiting for me. Apparently I'd slept through the second round of drinks, etc. We touched down in Seattle at 9:50 p.m. PST.

We trudged through the airport following sighs that read, "Baggage Claim." The reward came, especially for Earla, when Erin was waiting for her with a hug just as we got there. It was so very nice to be greeted home by Lane, Christine and Erin and hugs all around.

Arriving home, I took little time before I was ready to call it a night because I surely wanted to be up at 5 for Early Christians.

All in all, we drove 2606 miles through 14 states and stayed with 12 families and in 6 hotels.

Every host was gracious.

Every home was charming.

Every meal was delectable.

It was a most wonderful trip, and still, I'm quite content to be home.