Henry and Kelli and Jared Fly Home

Today is December 28, 2011, Wednesday, the third very sad day I’ve had in the last five months:  I had to say goodbye to Henry and Kelli and Jared, again.  These days are terrible, like torture.  It's all I can do not to go with them.  As cramped as Henry was in our small house, almost running from this forbidden cabinet to that enticing doggy water bowl, and as loud as he was during the night with those erupting molars, I’d have them back in a New York minute.  He is growing so fast, learning so much each day, I hate missing out on his discoveries.  His Henry Hugs are the best, too.  Of course, this is a twisted way of saying how much we enjoy having them, how fun he is to take on hikes, show Christmas lights, look and listen for birds, watch him walking through the snow, and just enjoying life.   

Goodbyes as they leave Southeast Alaska always have extra issues about them, as today’s drive south to the Hollis Ferry terminal in the dark and rain, without windshield wipers, and the southern third of the drive in the slush, was a little nerve-wracking.  We got there in time, and hustled to get all of their luggage unloaded, into the terminal, and then through security.  Hugs, and they were out the door.  I hate this!  

Christmas 2011

Later, Kelli texted us the ferry was rocking, and she and Jared both sea sick.  Finally they arrived in Ketchikan, and next they had to walk the four blocks from the Prince of Wales ferry to the airport ferry, in light rain.  Why Ketchikan doesn’t do better for it’s tourists is beyond me.  They recovered quickly from their sea-sickness and boarded the plane, in first class.  Kelli texted us to say they sat down on the plane, she nursed Henry, and he promptly fell asleep.  He’s an excellent traveler!  Finally home, their trip took 17 hours!  You'd think they traveled to Taiwan or something!   

I made it back from the ferry landing to find Faith and Brady and Kathy all back in bed and sound to sleep!  The two nights Kathy and I spend on the pullout sofa were not pleasant.  It will be nice to be back in a real bed tonight. 

Today we had an excellent breakfast compliments of Faith.  I decided we are running a Bed and Breakfast:  we provide the bed, you provide the breakfast!  J  The snow was all washed away by the rain overnight, and the warmer temperature.