April 30, 2013

Day 1 that wasn't

We are not "lucky" people.  We're not unfortunate by any stretch, but big projects rarely go well for us and, even if they pan out eventually, it's usually like summiting Everest to get there. (I mean, you remember that cruise I wrote about back in January...that's actually the norm when we travel.)

We were supposed to leave Alaska Saturday.
We were supposed to leave Alaska Sunday.
By 1am Monday, we'd made it all the way to a hotel...in Wasilla..2 miles away.


I often mention that our house in Alaska is 5 minutes from Target. This hotel is between our house and Target. Just to give you a frame of reference.

Problems aplenty! Too much weight. Too little space. Fuses blowing. Oil spilling. No food resulting in crankiness. There's more (there's always more), but I can't even get into it without asking why the simplest of tasks often become difficult for us.  (Why are landfills, for instance, not open on Sundays???)

Midnight-ish
Sunday night, after a day of mishaps, we ditched our stuff in our driveway (yep, just left it) and went to a hotel, since we were already locked out of the house.  It was probably better that way because the house was clean, empty, and we wanted our security deposit back.  Monday morning found us with a 7am wake-up call and no continental breakfast.  We stopped at Lowe's to get a new tail light, and some wiring something-or-other, and then he did some repair work in the cold while I sat in the truck (I really hate Alaska.)

Yesterday, we made it to Tok, and gained some wi-fi for the first time in 3 days.

My fingernails are dirty, my hands are raw and chapped from "hard work", and I've worn the same thing for 3 days.  I have no desire to change into real clothes. I suppose it doesn't matter...we're trying to head into the Yukon today after all.

Anyway, we're hoping to make it to Whitehorse.  You know, if they let us into Canada.  It's also always nerve-racking wondering if they're going to let you out.

Our biggest concern is running out of gas.  This is 2013.  That shouldn't be a concern.