Trip to Juneau, Alaska (Part 1)
OK, I know a picture of me and Isaiah Washington (he is in NOLA shooting a film) is kind of a dramatic way to start this post, but that is how my trip to Juneau, Alaska started. Well, really it started at my house and I was running late. There was this MAD dash across New Orleans hoping that I would there with enough time to get checked in, smoke that last cigarette, get through security and not be the last on on the plane! And I did good!
Then here I am standing in line to go through security when the gal walks up to the person behind me and asks, "Do you mind if I take a picture of you?" Of course I turn around to see who it is. And there he is, Isaiah Washington, one on my favorite actors from Grey's Anatomy. (I was really sad to see him leave the show!) At first I didn't recognize him and then it dawned on me who he was. I was handed a camera and asked to take a picture of this young lady and Mr. Washington. Then of course, forcing my sympathy for him having to deal with people bothering him for pictures and autographs deep down to the back of my mind, had the young lady take the picture you see above. I have to say that I was very please to see that Isaiah was very polite everyone around, even though he did try to stick to himself. I would loved to have struck up a little chat with him over a nothing topic, but that thought of not wanting to annoy him came back to mind so I left him alone.
We went through security, he got pulled for a closer check and I sailed right on though. wondered what he was doing in NOLA, but not for long. I was getting phone calls and text messages from friends that wanted to check in on me and wish me a great flight. Then it came time to board the plane. Of course, I was one of the last ones to get on and as I passed first class, guess who was sitting there? That's right, it was Isaiah. Now I have seen some actors get all snooty and ignore the people walking by, but that was not the case here. I knew that he wouldn't remember me past that flight, but as I passed I gave him a little smile, that's just how I am, and he nodded his head and smiled back. That was cool, not because he might remember me from an hour before, but because he is human and didn't put on any airs like he was better then everyone else. No, I am not start struck, but it is good to see an actor be courteous.
Anyway, I find my seat and try to settle in. The short hop from NOLA to DFW was the best part of my trip, I think. I sat beside a lady from Picayune, Mississippi and we had a quite engaging conversation. We talked about Iraq of course, but not in the manner most would think. Her brother works with some people that help orphaned children in East Africa. It was an amazing story to listen to how they find these children out in the wilderness barely living and bring them in, feed them and help find them homes. I wish I could remember what organization it was that he worked with so I could post a link, but I can't remember. (I hope that she reads this blog and emails me with a link to their web site.) Anyway, she was very proud of her brother and I can't blame her.
Once I landed at Dallas/Ft Worth, I scuttled of the plane, made a dash for the outside to burn one, and made a phone call to some new friends I had met at my sisters wedding last weekend. I had told them I would buy them a beer for letting me crash in their room that extra night! But as my luck would have it "Chihuahua Balls" had to work, and "Wet Spot" didn't answer here phone. She called me later to tell me that she couldn't meet me because she was trying to finish getting moved and I didn't have that long of a layover there. We said that we would meet again at some Hash some where and I hung up.
The leg from DFW to Seattle was quiet for the most part and I got to take a nap. With Alaska being 3 hours behind Mississippi, I knew that my niece, Taylor, would want to stay up an visit for a bit when I got here. So, I was trying to get as much sleep as I could. The plane wasn't crowded this time and I had an open seat between me and the next guy. He was from Alaska, and a Whaler. We chatted a bit about what he did for a living, which was very interesting, and we both tried to get naps.
Then came the leg from hell! Ya hear people take about crying babies, and having to sit between two really large people and so on and so on? Well, that was my flight from Seattle to Ketchikan. There was a crying baby a few rows behind me and I cramply sat between a father and son. They were really nice people, but I have to say that I was very uncomfortable! The nice part was that after the stop at Ketchikan, there were not many people on the plane and I got to move seats. The amazing part of that leg of my trip here was all the people from Mississippi on the plane. The father and son were from MS, and the people seated behind me were from the Jackson, MS area. The father and son were going fishing, and the young men behind me were going bear hunting. We all chatted a bit and voiced our bit of amazement at the fact that we were all from Mississippi. Then I tried to sleep. With shoulders hunkered, I grabbed my neck pillow. I dozed in and out till we got to Ketchikan. Then I moved forward one row and was able to grab a nap for the 45 minuet flight on up here to Juneau.
What a beautiful view we had as we flew over Alaska! Coming into the Juneau airport, you can look out the windows and see the Glaciers. Well, it was foggy and I could only see one of them. But what a wonderful site it was! My plane landed and I scooted outside to grab a quick smoke while they unloaded our baggage. I didn't see my brother any where so I gave him a call. He was on his way and would be there in a minute. Once the baggage came out and we had it tucked into the SUV, Bert, my brother, drove us to his hotel.
Now, I have to say, it was really weird for it to be 2200 (10PM) and still be daylight! Not that it bothered me and my being able to sleep, but it was strange. Bert gave me a run down of things as he drove and just looked around and enjoyed the scenery. We picked up my niece, who was happy to see her Aunt Cindy, and went to his hotel room. Bert needed to get back to work and I was ready to check my eyelids for holes. Of course, Taylor was ready to play games and wanted me to play with her. I begged off and just watched her play.
I went to bed at 0023 this morning and was wide awake at 0430. Well, what do ya expect, it was 0730 back home and my body thinks it is still there......till it walks outside. OMG! It was already daylight and COLD! I walked outside to smoke one and just about froze! Going from the 90's in Mississippi to the upper 40's/lower 50's here is quite a shock for my poor ole' body. BUT, I am not going to let that stop me from enjoying things.
Bert just came in from work and went to bed, Taylor is still asleep and I am WIDE awake. We are planning on gong up to one of the Glaciers after lunch. I am looking forward to that. I have my camera all charged up, the winter clothing sitting here ready for me to bundle up and I am ready to go exploring!
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