missing the ferry

was not the worst thing that could have happened during dad's visit in september. unfortunately his week visit here was particularly grey and rainy. i didn't have much planned, but i did arrange for a ferry trip from whittier to valdez. we were going to ferry over with the car (dogs too), and mosey back to anchorage. i had a couple of campgrounds reserved and a tentative plan to visit mccarthy and kennicott. but, with my horrendous sense of direction and just poor planning, we missed the ferry by just minutes. in fact, it was still there when we finally got to it, but the gates were closed. begging doesn't get the gates opened, just so you know. i was pretty bummed, but dad of course was mellow and didn't seem too bothered. considering the weather, it may have been a blessing in disguise. rainy, cold camping isn't all that fun.

so, we had a pretty low key week around town. we took some nice drives, walked with the dogs, and relaxed at the house. dad joined some friends and i for live music one night and we did manage to get one last minute adventure.

we decided to go on a ridiculously expensive jetboat river trip. fast boat, big river, ginormous glacier. seems simple enough. it was supposed to be a 3 hour trip. instead, it lasted about 7. long story short, our boat captain nose dived us into a gravel bar. one dead satellite phone, iffy cell phone reception, lots of laughing, some worry, piggy back rides, failed winch efforts, state troopers preparing a rescue effort, a bonfire, an incredible sunset, a rescue boat fighting against getting stuck too, and finally a successful ride back to shore. best of all, a good story, and new friends. there was much about what went on that was less than ideal, but the group of people we shared the boat with were as good as it gets. bruce, lisa, barry, and alisha . . . you made it not only bearable, but actually pretty damn fun! so thanks again for that.

dad bought me an early birthday present . . . a canadian red cherry tree for the front yard and a ficus tree for the house. we didn't get around to planting the one outside, but i got it in the ground a few weeks later. i sure hope it survives the winter.

all and all a very nice week off work and visiting with dad. thanks again pop.