Since Brandi lives in Iowa and I live in Missouri, we didn’t coordinate travel plans. We opted for the cheapest and within reason for time end to end.

My travel day:

I got up at 6am CST to take care of the chickens (biggest priority), fish, and dogs so that JD only had to do the dogs’ dinner. JD dropped me off at the airport at 8:15am which gave me ample time to get through security and to my gate. I needed a coffee and at a last minute decision (let’s be honest here….) I opted for an Irish Coffee.

First flight was to Chicago where I had the pleasure of having a 4 hour layover. Needing lunch and a drink, I was on the search. That airport is stupid BTW. I found a place at the bar at Chili’s and ordered lunch. Having sat in that seat for so long, I made some “friends” along the way. The bar tender gave me a 20 oz – 9 oz wine (aka- over poured) which put my bladder over the edge so my new friends watched my things while I went to the restroom. One of the couples that I met had done a lot of backpacking and were interested in my adventure in AK even though they had been there to visit, they had never backpacked.

The plan ride from Chicago to Alaska was just over 6 hours inwhich the flight had movies. A total score! I was supposed to study but that did not happen. Story of my life. Maybe on the way home. I ordered 4 drinks and only had to pay for two which was awesome! I love free shit!

Upon landing in Anchorage at 8 pm, it was as bright outside as if it was 3pm.

This was taken as I was waiting for my rental car at 8pm.

I made it to Avis to get the rental car which was a birthday present from JD. I am so glad that I had a car since we were staying at an airbnb and knew I need to find a grocery store to get food.

Our airbnb’s location was prime as far as location goes. Very centrally located and on a dead end so there wasn’t a lot of through traffic which was super nice. I made it to the store and back to find out that Brandi’s flight from Iowa was delayed which caused her to miss her connecting flight in Dallas. The airlines were able to get her to Seattle where she spent the night to catch her next flight to AK so she arrived a day late. That was a total bummer because we were to adventure all day Saturday but couldn’t becasue she wouldn’t get in until 4:30-5pm.

Even though it was a very long day, it was pretty smooth with no major hiccups for my travel at least. Obviously can’t say that about Brandi’s travel.

View from the balcony of our airbnb- at least we can see the mountains

Because it stays light until midnight and I need night ime to wind down, I didn’t go to bed until 3:30am which means I was up for almost 24 hours. I knew from that time on, this long daylight was going to screw my circadian rhythm.