Easter in Alaska with Jonah
When you have children that live all over the U.S., you travel!!!!!!
PLANNING QUICKLY
This trip to Alaska was decided on pretty quickly. I knew that I needed/wanted to go see my son Jonah again before he left JBER, the joint army/air force base in Anchorage, Alaska. He is scheduled to transfer to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in January 2023. I called him to check possible times to visit on Thursday, March 10th. We quickly decided that Easter break would be the best time and it snowballed from there. Jamie https://www.facebook.com/jamiebjourneys jumped right in helping me find a place to stay, securing me a car, and getting me the most time with Jonah for my money. Journeys with Jamie for the win again and I was booked by Monday, March 14th.
TRAVELING SOLO
I offered the trip to any of my friends that wanted to go with me for just the cost of the flight. I sadly didn’t have any takers, but they did have to see my Facebook post and decide in about 48 hours. Most people don’t/can’t make spur of the moment decisions like I did. Traveling alone is not for everyone but it can be a fun adventure.
HERE I GO….
I flew Delta out of Memphis on April 15th. Travis took me to the airport and of course we had to stop at Smoothie King on the way. We allowed a little over 2 hours to get checked in and through security. That probably seems too early, but the last time we flew to Alaska and arrived 2 hours early, we almost missed the flight. I flew Delta this trip and the check in took less than 10 minutes, so I had a bit of a wait. Usually, I have a checked piece of luggage but I managed to get everything in a carry on and a backpack. If I need something I can always go to Goodwill, right?
Flight left on time and it was a smooth flight. When I arrived in Atlanta, I was able to walk from terminal B to A and stretch my legs. One of the joys of flying through the Atlanta airport for me is being able to get a Chai Tea Latte from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. It was right beside my gate which was a good thing since I didn’t have a lot of time between flights. Boarded with no trouble and got settled in for a 7 hour and 23-minute flight.
I MADE IT
Jonah was waiting for me as I exited the plane and we made a quick walk to Alamo to get our car. There were no small economy cars left so we got a free upgrade to a vampire red Hyundai Accent. Therefore, we called it the Vamp.
LODGING
The Clarion Suites is where I stayed on this trip. It is an older hotel with wallpaper border etc. It was a great place to sleep and that is about the only reason I needed it. The room had a small sitting area with a desk, couch, sink, refrigerator and microwave. That was in addition to the bathroom sink area and bedroom. Oh yea, it had 2 TVs. I never watch tv, so I don’t give them much notice.
WHERE DID I GO WRONG???
After checking/settling in we headed to JBER to get Jonah’s clothes out of the dryer in the Barracks. Let’s just say I was disappointed in his laundry abilities. Where did I go wrong????? We ended up having to leave a huge load in the dryer to get dry. I mean it was only a load the size of Canada!!!! I think most moms would just turn around and walk back out after seeing the laundry room anyway. Moving on up to his actual room did not get much better. I did refrain from taking pictures though. He promised he would clean it and send me pictures. Not holding my breath.
DIRECTIONALLY CHALLENGED
Travis and I had taken Jonah to Spenard Roadhouse to eat when we visited in October 2021 so we were trying to think of somewhere else we could go that would be different. I had pulled over in an empty parking lot as we checked online. The decision was made to go back to Spenard’s. It was only about three buildings back, so I exited the parking lot and headed back to the left.
Jonah started saying rather forcefully “one way, one way, one way.” It took me a few seconds to realize a U-turn was quickly needed. Since it was a 4-lane street and all four lanes of traffic were coming directly at me, I whipped it around pretty quickly. It’s not a trip without a U-turn right???? We made the block and safely arrived. Needless to say there are no PICTURES of that!!
SPENARD ROADHOUSE
I ordered the Alaskan Salmon and Jonah had the Caesar Salad. The Fried Brussel Sprouts were the absolute best part of this meal. Other than spending time with Jonah of course. While we were waiting on our food, we played with the camera app on my phone and he updated his profile picture. We were in and out in less than an hour. My body clock was still set to Mississippi time and it was telling me that it was after midnight.
I would recommend this place to eat if you ever get a chance to visit Anchorage. It is located on Northern Lights Blvd. and they are hiring if you would like to relocate up North.
MATANUSKA GLACIER HIKE
The next morning, we left the hotel a little before 8:00 am headed to Jason and Lexi’s house. Jason and Jonah work together and they are also close friends. Jonah spends a lot of time at their house hanging out. I’m glad he has a support system of friends. They are also moving to North Carolina so I can visit with them again as well.
The four of us headed out of town by way of a pit stop for Jason to buy snacks. The trip from Anchorage to the glacier was about 2 hours. The road pretty much travels along the Matanuska River the whole way and the scenery was gorgeous. Pictures never show the full beauty of Alaska.
Arrangements for our tour had been secured though Glacier Tours. I had researched activities for us to do while I was visiting, and this was the most economical glacier hike for us. We were able to use Jason’s 4-wheel drive, so I didn’t have to upgrade my rental or pay for transport to the glacier. The cost was $40 each with the military discount. Without the discount it would cost $120. That is still the cheapest price I found online. Glacier Tours has a Facebook page, easy to message, and quick to respond.
Upon arriving 30 minutes early as instructed, we paid our fees and headed down the road to the glacier. We were given Traction Cleats called “Yak Tracks” to put on our shoes so that we could walk on the ice without falling as easily. There was quite a bit of mud at the beginning of the hike due to the rising spring temperatures. This was the last week for the winter hikes on the frozen river. It is Break Up Season and the river is starting to “break up” so they will begin using a different trail for the summer months. We stayed on the glacier about 2 hours. I tried to describe pictures below for more detail.
Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles long by 4 miles wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Its terminus feeds the Matanuska River. It lies near the Glenn Highway about 100 miles north-east of Anchorage in Glacier View.
FRIENDS ARE THE BEST
Heading back into Anchorage, dinner plans were decided. Jonah and I were invited back to Jason and Lexi’s to eat. A detour was made to Fred Meyer for supplies. I picked up an appetizer of Sushi to share with Jonah. The hike itself was not strenuous, but I was hungry anyway. My body time clock was still not adjusted. Jonah and Lexi stuffed easter eggs with candy for tomorrow’s egg hunt while Jason grilled burgers and chicken.
EASTER SUNDAY WITH JONAH
Alliance Bible Church was recommended by a friend when I was looking for a church to attend with Jonah on Easter Sunday. The sermon was biblically based and I was very pleased that we went here. The people were nice and welcoming but most of all they praised our resurrected Lord. We had to swing by the Barracks on our way to church and Jonah would not let me go back in to see that messy room again.
SUNDAY BRUNCH
After church we headed back to Jason and Lexi’s house where they had planned a potluck dinner with several other army families. Jonah and I contributed garlic bread and rolls. The menu consisted of deviled eggs, ham, green bean casserole, rolls, veggie tray, mashed potatoes, and apple pie. I know I forgot to list something but believe it or not I DID NOT take a picture of the food. Crazy right!!!!
SNOW CITY CAFE
Snow City Café had been recommended to Jonah. We chose to eat breakfast there on my last day in Alaska. We arrived there about 10 a.m. and had to wait for a table. It was very crowded but they offered coffee while you were waiting as well as merchandise to look at for purchase. There was a bar available for first come first serve with no waiting.
This was one of those places that I wish I had the opportunity to eat at more than once so I could try more items on the menu. I finally chose the Brekkie Burger. Jonah had heard about their Breakfast Burrito being really good so that is what he chose. He also drank an Expresso Sludge that just about gagged me. I am NOT a coffee person. However, I did have my own tea sachet in my purse.
When our food arrived I did not have to ask for hot sauce since there was a bottle on the table. I had finished eating and was headed to wash my hands when I spotted the hot sauce bar at the back of the restaurant. I think more restaurants should incorporate them. I was definitely not disappointed in my Cholula that I had eaten on my burger.
TAKE MOMMA SHOPPING
It’s not a real trip until we go shopping. Jonah waited to the last day to tell me he really needed new boots. Especially since he wore his on the Glacier Hike. Therefore, we headed to the eXchange on base for boots. After purchasing the shoes we drove around JBER for a little while taking pictures.
Earthquake Park
Earthquake Park gives visitors insight into one of the pivotal moments in Alaska history: the 1964 Earthquake. The quake on March 27 – Good Friday – measured 9.2 in magnitude and was the largest quake ever recorded in North America.
A sharp drop-off north of the park and the peculiar rippling hills in the forest below are evidence of the massive earthquake that forever altered Anchorage’s landscape. Informative displays tell the story of the geological forces at play that day along with Anchorage history before and since the quake.
HEADED HOME
Not many people at all at the airport. Thank goodness since I took a sketchy selfie in front of these wooden birds. I didn’t stick around long enough to read the info at the base of the birds to know WHY they were there.
GREAT VIEWS
Fortunately, I had a window seat so I could see the view as we left Alaska. Pictures will never do the snow covered mountains justice. The airline stewardess came over the speaker and read the new mandate.
As a result of a court order, effective immediately and as of April 18, 2022, CDC’s January 29, 2021 order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. Therefore, CDC will not enforce the Order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.
You should have heard the cheering and shouting as most people ripped their mask off.
IT IS ALL ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS
Coming back to Mississippi was like traveling through a time warp. Anchorage to Seattle Washington, I lost 2 hours. Seattle to Atlanta Georgia, I lost 3 additional hours. Atlanta to Memphis Tennessee, I gained an hour back. I left Anchorage at 3:30 pm April 18th, and arrived back in Mississippi at about 10:30 a.m. April 19th.
They randomly put crazy art such as these lumps of whatever to make travel weary people wonder if they are seeing things or is this really art. I’m just not very cultured in the world of art.
I ate crazy weird AND got pulled to the side in the security line due to the large dense object in my carry-on luggage. YEP, it was my souvenir rock.
My sister Tonya came and picked me up from the airport. She did take me by Smoothie King on the way back home, but I was so tired I forgot to take a picture from the final leg of my journey. Memphis to home was about 90 minutes. In an effort to avoid jet lag, I stayed awake until about 9:00 p.m. I was able to get up the next morning to drive my bus and head back to work. Can’t wait for the NEXT ADVENTURE!!!!!
