Let the Countdown Begin!

After countless hours and over a year of planning and research, we are less than one day from setting out on our Alaskan adventure! In fact, we will be leaving the house in about 18 hours. Except for last minute toiletries to be added in the morning, we are packed!

I have to say that it was a tremendous challenge to pack for three weeks, remembering that we will be in all sorts of weather...rain, cold, as well as mild temps...plus cruise attire. But somehow I managed to get it all into one piece of luggage that (according to the bathroom scales) weighs less than the airline max of 50 pounds. I think I've packed and repacked three times, each time reminding myself that we will have access to laundry facilities several places along the way. I keep taking things out, which is a good thing! I think I have actually packed less than I sometimes take on a simple weekend out of town!


As for the luggage weight limit, Rick is talking about driving up to Publix and putting the questionable luggage on their heavy duty scales so that we can rearrange if necessary. I'm actually more concerned about the dimensions being 62" or less (another new airline regulation). The luggage tag says it's 61", but when you add stuff, it probably expands...it's all going to depend on who measures and how strict they are. I've decided that it's not going to be something I'm going to worry about at this point.

Anyway, in addition to my one piece of luggage that will be checked, I'm carrying on a backpack and my camera bag...no purse or tote of any kind. I'm wearing my heavy hiking boots and a hoodie, plus I'm tying my coat around my waist. All of this added too much weight to my luggage, plus I will NEED them when we step off the plane in Barrow. At this hour, the weather channel says it's 40 and feels like 31. Yep...definitely want access to that coat on the plane! I will just have to endure the stares when we walk through the Orlando airport with coats and hoodies while it's 90 degrees outside!

I know that some places we will visit do not have Internet access and others do, so my plan is to journal everyday in the word processor and then post here when I am able. I have found another site where I can journal AND post pictures so I will figure out on the fly which works best.

What I do know is that the next time I sit down to journal, it will be from the top of the world! :-)