Spring Break

Spring break started off on a bit of the wrong foot with the weather. We were weathered in Goodnews for about a day and a half of our break, which caused us to reschedule our flight to Anchorage at least two times along with the two other teachers who were trying to get out. Thank goodness for Alaska Air and that they understand what the weather can be like in bush Alaska. Simon took this picture of what the ceiling looked like in Goodnews on Saturday morning.

We spent our Saturday morning packing extra books and DVDs for our move at the end of the year.

For those of you who don't often ride in bush planes: we quickly learned to check out the ceiling and determine if flights would be coming or going for the day. The ceiling is the space between land and where visibility essentially stops with fog. On Friday the official start day of spring break, the ceiling was pretty low. Finally, Saturday afternoon we were able to get on the only plane to Bethel for at least the next 2 days. Whew! When traveling by bush plane you are completely dependent on the weather.

Three very excited people to finally get on a plane!

We spent some time at the lovely airport in Bethel. In case you are wondering this airport only services Alaska Airlines. There are three flights a day, the morning flight, an afternoon flight and an evening flight. We were waiting for the evening flight which leaves at 9:12pm.

Yay! We're finally on the jet.

Watching bags come off the plane as we get settled into our seats.

We made a quick stop at the Silver Gulch in the Anchorage airport to grab some dinner with Ben and Rick before parting ways. They make a delicious oven fired pizza. Rick and Ben were both traveling down states for spring break, but we were planning to spend the next few days in Anchorage.

By the time we got our rental car and made it to the hotel it was well after midnight, so we settled in for the night. (This is way past our usual bed time!)

Our time in Anchorage went pretty fast because it was filled with things on our must do list. Among those things were a shopping trip to Sam's Club, registering at Target for that sweet June baby, Simon getting a haircut, and getting our taxes completed and filed. I get tired just thinking about all of those things we did.

Not to worry though; we had our fair share of fun too! Fur Rondy was just wrapping up on Saturday and Sunday, so we spent some time on Sunday at the arts and crafts festival, viewing snow sculptures and visiting the Ulu Store.

One night we even went to see a movie at one of the best movie theaters we've ever been to. This theater has personal recliners for each patron. When you purchase your ticket you also pick the location of your seat. It was an extremely comfortable way to watch a movie after walking all day--hello propped up feet!

We had LOTS of good food. We have a favorite Mexican restaurant that we try to get to anytime we're in Anchorage. We were savoring food and especially the fact that someone else made it--not to mention some varieties that we just don't have in the bush. 

Our favorite Mexican place in downtown Anchorage.

Mango bubble smoothie!

Fresh Strawberries, something we can never get in the village.

Simon's enjoying some oh-so-tasty salad another rare find in the bush. 

Steak and ribs!

Finally, it was time for us to head home. We left Anchorage early on Wednesday with plans for a short stop in Bethel for a prenatal appointment and then getting on the afternoon plan home. Of course, all good plans are interrupted. We discovered at the end of the appointment that we'd need to stay for a fasting blood test in the morning. Our options were to spend the night in Bethel or come back the following week. We begrudgingly opted to spend the night. 

While I was at the clinic on Thursday morning Simon made a trip across the street to Swanson's closing sale--everything in the store was 50% off! I don't have a picture of what he bought but here are a few pictures of what the inside of the store looked like. If you remember from previous posts this is a store we've done quite a bit of shopping at in the past.