Saying Farewell to Kodiak

So, THE day has finally arrived.  We have sold off all our earthly possessions, except for 3 boxes of memories and our clothing.  We had 2 garage/moving sales and John has managed a "store" out of our house for the past 3 months.  He sold tools, furniture, craft items, fabric, and more.  Friends and patients came by and purchased our belongings.  We had planned to live on Kodiak Island for 2-3 years, but God had another plan in store. Situations change and thus plans change... and we roll with the punches.

So we awoke today, on the floor; we sold our mattress to Trip & Jade a month ago and it is being shipped to Vermont.  Then we used the mattress off our futon bunk that we sold 2 weeks ago and Brenda so KINDLY allowed us to continue using until today; she picked up the frame last week, leaving us the mattress so our old bones didn't have to creak too badly.  I was lucky enough to have breakfast with my dear friend Tammy; we've been in the trenches daily since I moved to Kodiak last year.  She's an amazing PA and I treasure her knowledge and friendship.  She is definitely one of the folks I will ALWAYS remember from this little rock.  We had a delicious breakfast and greatly enjoyed our chat in the Tea Room at Monk's Rock.  After many hugs and tears, we said farewell and she dropped me off at the house.  

Tammy & me

We put our last load of laundry in the washer; we vacuumed and mopped the floors.  We shampooed carpet, and scrubbed the bathrooms.  We cleaned shelving and emptied trash cans.  Our landlord, Aaron came by and checked through the house with us; Aaron & Melissa have been such amazing landlords and friends.  Renting their house was a true blessing only He could have organized.  We felt at home from the first time we set foot in it. I'm sad we didn't get to give Melissa a hug, but we are SO very proud of her accomplishment that caused us to miss her.  

John & I in front of our house on Sharatin Road, Kodiak, Alaska

Then, we had to make 1 last visit with Joni & the fam; they've been Coastie family with Jade and Trip since they all met here.  And I was blessed to be MiMi for Haylie and Sadie!  Love you, girls!

one last selfie near the Kodiak Harbor

Loaded up and truckin...

 We finished cleaning out the house, packed up the "big red truck" and headed to the port.  Excited, nervous, and sad...

The MV Tustumena arrived in Kodiak right on time

We are in line to board the ferry

I'm glad to FINALLY be on board

Saying our final farewells to Kodiak Island

Once the ferry left shore, we settled into our berths and fell asleep to a gentle rocking motion.  John fell asleep faster than I did; I lay there with thoughts racing through my head.... reminiscing over the year here and the 2 years in Soldotna/Kenai.  Remembering loads of fun and adventures we'd enjoyed over our 3 years in Alaska, I just couldn't fall asleep easily.  Around 2 am, I did drift off to sleep, only to be awakened around 4 when the winds picked up and began rocking the boat more and more.  The swaying of the boat finally threw John halfway out of bed just after 4, and he got up and went to the galley to find coffee.  I continued to lay there, resting and waiting for rocking to calm.  It finally did, but I never did fall back asleep.   

We are standing in front of Cook Inlet, near Kachemak Bay

Playing tourist

We arrived in Homer around 9:30 and disembarked; we began our drive to Kenai to have lunch with dear friends there!  I can't believe we forgot to take pics of everyone there.  

John enjoyed visiting with our former neighbors and fishing buddies

Al came over to our table for a visit

I was so thrilled to get to see Laurie! We are sisters at heart!

I finally remembered to take some pics, but Jeanette, Sherri, and Shana & Steven had already left.  I feel so bad that we were so busy visiting and enjoying ourselves, that the camera was forgotten.... oh, wait... no. I don't feel bad... LOL  Making memories is so very special, even when the camera isn't around.  Eve and Dan also came to lunch, but more about them shortly; we enjoyed spending the night with them in their home at Seward. 

We drove by "our old road" off Kalifornsky Beach Road.

We used to live about a mile down this road - Karluk Avenue

We stopped at the Russian River to see the salmon.... but they had not arrived yet.

Some of the Chugach Mountain Range on the Peninsula

More Chugach Mountains

Heading toward Seward

Nearing the Pass

my favorite thing to photograph.... running water...

love the bears.... even the skins...

and even the fake ones...

We loaded back up into the "big red truck" and headed North.  We made our way up the Peninsula and through the Pass to Seward.  We headed over to the SeaLife Center, but we ended up just hanging out enjoying the scenery because John got a little sick.  I pulled out my medical bag and got him all fixed up about the time Eve called and said they had arrived home.  

outside the SeaLife Center

Mural in Seward, Alaska

whale skulls

scenery around Seward

more scenery on the way to Seward

the view across from Eve's house

proof that Alaska is connected to land and NOT sitting in the ocean by Hawaii

having fun

kids from Kodiak High School made this sculpture from garbage found washed up on the beaches & then donated it to the SeaLife Center

King Crab

the Sea Otter came over to say hello

Last minute hugs from Eve

John and I really had a great time visiting with Eve and Dan; I worked with Eve at PCHS in Soldotna.  We keep in touch and when she found out we'd be driving through, she invited us to stay with her overnight.  So we did.  Eve and Dan are great people! Maybe one day, we will visit y'all in your McCarthy home!

if any of you really know me, you know I have this thing about birds, and the eagle is VERY special...

If you don't know about birds and me, let me fill you in.  I cannot remember how long ago it began, but I totally admire birds; in Mississippi, I had about 10 bird feeders and was enamored with them.  Watching them eat, fight, hang out, and zoom around the feeders is just enthralling - I can't take my eyes off them.  When I was a little girl, I used to dream I was flying around with birds.  As I learned about native beliefs about birds and how revered they were, I began to understand their spiritual meaning to many people.  So, to me, birds are evidence of God's blessing and watch-keeping over me.  Whenever I feel burdened and worried and a bird flies over, I immediately sense an uplifting within my soul.  Eagles are some of the most revered birds; with their enormous wingspan and need to fly highest over all, it seems as though eagles are the highest blessing one can receive.  Thus, whenever I see an eagle, I can sense God's presence especially strong; it's like the Spirit comes right over...  This eagle was just sitting on this pier in Seward and he let me get pretty close and never did fly away.

Mountains across from Seward

after all these years, I'm still hunting waterfalls; Mama & Shelton would LOVE it here!

Enjoying my Mother's Day gift from the kids....

Got to catch Heidi at Girdwood.... see ya round, girl!

1 of the 2 seasons here in Alaska.... construction; winter is the other...

Beluga Point, just South of Anchorage

Whales are often sighted here in Cook Inlet.  This particular rock outcropping is where many people stop and photograph whales out in the water.

 We continued to drive North through Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Cantwell to Denali. We are taking loads of photos, as you can tell.  We are really enjoying this trip; it truly is an adventure of a lifetime.