Anchor's Up!

 Go Mochkatels, Go!

For those of you that are familiar with Dr. Seuss, you'll understand what I mean when I say that throughout this journey, I couldn't help but laugh as I read Merrik "Go Dog, Go!"...Go by boat,  by plane, by car.... you're almost there, it's not too far! 

If only it had been that simple.  Alaska (Kodiak specifically) is actually a long way away from sunny San Diego.  It wasn't until I looked Kodiak up on a map that I realized just how far away our little island in the Gulf of Alaska truly is.  

Regardless of the distance, we did make it safely to the Emerald Isle!  Merrik and I took a plane ride from SD to WA.  He was great up to the last 45 minutes.  Then he was trying to make a run for it, squirming on our seat and yelling "out" repeatedly.  Scott drove up the coast and made it to Camano Island in two days.  We spent a week with the Mochkatel side of the family.  It was wonderful and relaxing!

We embarked on our second leg of the journey on June 23rd in the evening.  We boarded the Kenicott ferry of the Alaskan Highway.  We set sail for a loooong six and a half day ride through the inner passage.  Merrik was a trooper!  Our little cabin was the size of a shoebox with two "racks" or a bunkbed and a sink.  Thank goodness we had a window!  We stopped in many historic and scenic Alaskan towns along the way.  It didn't matter what time the ferry docked or the weather, we made it a point to get off the boat at every port.  Each town was so different than the last and it was a neat experience for sure.  As we sailed, we saw humpback whales or "humpies" and the coastline was simply breathtaking while at other times eerie as the fog and rain set in.

We made it to our final destination "The Rock" on June 29th and were greeted by Scott's new shop at the ferry station.  It was a warm welcome.  We arrived on an amazingly beautiful, sunny day.  Our first stop was our new home!!  It has been gratifying getting to decorate and turn our house into our first home.  We've been hard at work restoring the garden and moving in.  Although I have to admit, we are in no rush.  When the sun is shining in Kodiak we literally drop everything and get outside.  The beauty here is undeniable and the weather only enhances the majestic feeling of the island whether it's raining or sunny.  We have been thoroughly enjoying getting acquainted with our new surroundings.

It's been a bittersweet experience for our family.  It was difficult to leave our family and friends and embark on this new journey.  Already there have been many exciting and memorable moments made but, they will never replace the special spot San Diego holds in our hearts.

 

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