First Day in Alaska

So where to start.  After spending four hours trying to rest in the baggage claim area of the Anchorage Airport.  Craig and I took Camille and Sully to check them in for the last section of our journey. The last hour and half would be on a Penn Airways flight to King Salmon.  On the way to check the animals in, Craig and I passed a Cinnabon place and thought that would be a great place for breakfast. We passed airport security and there was no line so that made us happy as we thought we would be going through it again.  We finally got to the Penn Air check in spot and no one was there.  They are not worried about being there to early before a flight.  This is where we had to prove that we had the animals up to date on their rabies vaccine.  After a few minutes of paper work we were told to move the kennels and animals to the gate.  Which was L1.  L1 is located on the lower floor of the airport.  We took an elevator down to
the lower level and up a ramp to our gate.  We did not have to go through security.  I guess if your moving to the bush you are no longer a security risk.  You also don't get to eat at the Cinnabon place, you have a choice of stale products found in a so called coffee shop.  Not very exciting and horrible food.
We waited to board our plane.  When we checked in we were asked our weight and the estimated weight of our carry on.  I had never been asked about this before.  The lady at the counter said their plane was small and it helped them out to know the weight.  While we were waiting for the plane to arrive at the gate I kept wondering how big it was.  Then it arrived.  It was a small prop plane.  The waiting room was full of people but for our flight to King Salmon there would be twenty people on board, 17 men and three women. There was a sign in the waiting room letting you know that your luggage may not arrive on the same flight as you.  That was also new for me to be told that your luggage may not arrive not surprised by the fact.
We watched as our luggage was moved to the plane.  Our 8 checked in pieces made it on to the plane.  Then they came and got the animals and wheeled them out on the tarmac and loaded them into the plane.  People were next.  As we went through the door to go outside on the tarmac you were required to show ID.  That was the limit of the security.  We walked across the tarmac and to the plane.  We had to climb a set of stairs and into the small aircraft.  As you entered the plane the flight attendant, Chandtel, offered you a little yellow package.  I thought it was our in flight snack and was laughing at the service.  That is until I sat down and actually looked at the package.  We were given ear plugs.  Now this is the first time
for me on a prop plane.  The package of ear plugs did not make me feel comfortable.  I was given a window seat on one sideof the plane and Craig had a window seat on the other side of the plane.  When the flight started and the props began to revolve I completely understood why we were given ear plugs.  The noice was very, very loud.  The flight took 1 hour and 10 minutes.  We could not see a thing as it was cloudy and rainy.  I did see a few mountain peaks but not much else until just before we landed.  Then you could see a lot of small frozen lakes and ice on the shores of the river. As we landed I did notice quite a few very nice houses around the area.  The airport was a pole barn, inside and out.  Inside, we found our host and met quite a few people.  Our new neighbors happened to be at the airport.  One of my new collegues was at the airport with his two daughters.  His daughters I learned have the best coffee house and make the best cinnamon rolls but they are not open yet.  Then the baggage arrived.  The baggage was taken from the plane and placed on a cart that was brought to a big window.  You grabbed your stuff from the window.  Craig and I had to help lift Camille's kennel through the window. From there it was on to our house which is a beautiful, two-story duplex.  We live on one side another coworker on the other.
We unloaded all our gear and our host offered to take us on a tour and to get some food but we opted for a nap and shower first.  After a three hour nap and a hot shower, we unpacked our stuff which looked like a lot but when put away it really wasn't that much. The house came furnished with a bed in each room, though Craig's bed has a frame and my set sits on the floor, which I don't mind it is still a bed which I appreciate.  Craig's room had a dresser and nightstand and a desk.  My room came with a bookshelf.
the dining room had a table and three chairs, and the living room had a couch, coffee table and small entertainment center.  It also has a built in book shelf.  After unpacking we called our host and went out to get the tour of the office and the town.  I got introduced to most of the office staff.  I hope there isn't a test because I would fail.  Twenty some people work there year round and this weekend 20 or more seasonal staff would be arriving.  The office is in the King Salmon mall which consists of two floors.  The upstairs holding the park service staff offices and the lower floor has a Wells Fargo Bank.  From the office we were taken to the post office to get our box and the first of the ton of packages being sent up to us.   By the way as far as boxes being sent goes, I am way behind the rest of the staff, especially the ones who come back year atfer year.  They hadn't even arrived yet and some people had twenty boxes waiting  for them.  From the post office we went to the phone company to get our service hooked up but we just missed them as they closed for the weekend.  Have to do that on Monday, I guess.  Then our host dropped us off at Eddies which is right next door to the office.  Craig and I went in for some food, our first since the stale doughnuts that morning.  The place was nice but older.  I had a quarter pound cheeseburger with onion, lettuce and tomato, and a small dish of potato salad.  Craig had a half pound cheeseburger and a small dish of coleslaw.  We both had a glass of milk to drink.  The food was good but the price for our meal was $30.90 plus tip.

Next it was on to the grocery store.  Hold on to your hat as I give you the prices.
Gallon of milk  $10.19
Bread           $5.45
Hamburger $5.99 a pound
Doritos  $7.95
Apples  $2.89 a pound
Bananas  $2.89 a pound
Oatmeal  $10.39
Spagetti O's $2.79 a can
Craig loves peanut M&Ms the large bage you can buy at Walmart for around $8 is $17.99 cents here.
We bought 2 apples, a gallon of milk, a pound of hamburger, a bag of chicken drumsticks, on sale for $6.99, and a ham steak.  The total bill $35.49.  Our refrigerator and freezer look very empty.  I hope our food arrives soon. By the way there were no eggs to buy at the store. Guess I might have to order 15 dozen. 

After our shopping tour we were taken home.  Craig, Camille and I went for a walk.  We saw ten bald eagles along the river.  We saw a flock of gulls and you could hear sandhill cranes but we never saw them.  The river is a half mile from the house.  Craig said it was a heck of a backyard.