Alaska.

I was so excited. I had done my best to charge every purchase on my travel awards card so I could afford a plane ticket to my dream destination, Alaska. I even sent for a travel brochure and investigated the cost of the train that goes between Fairbanks and Anchorage. I put all my coins in a large, crystal, champagne chiller and when it is filled I will pay for the train fare. All I need now is to save enough for lodging and some extras like food. I have not planned a vacation in a long time. Don't get me wrong, I have been spoiled and visited Europe, and have been on cruises to the likes of Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. As a family, we had many wonderful happenings to Florida, Carolina and many states in between. I have catered weddings in Maryland, visited family in California, watched the moon rise and set high in the mountains of Tahoe and enjoyed my sixtieth birthday in the company of family and friends in Las Vega, Nevada.   OK, I said I was spoiled. 

My life is different now and at age sixty; I asked myself where I wanted to go on vacation. I decided that there were many places I could drive to when I retire. But for an Alaskan adventure I wanted to still be able to do it right, now is a good time while I am still working. I found out summer was the perfect time to visit Alaska because the weather was warm. I want to see all the animals and all the ice; fishing boats and endless water. I want to eat shrimp, oysters and fresh caught fish. The one thing I did not want to do is a cruise. I know people who love cruises. I really enjoyed the ones I took but my cruise attitude is "been there done
that ". I would rather have an adventure then a planned event. If I want to dine alone and sip on a cocktail savoring a delicious meal at a unique restaurant touting local fare,I can. I do not have to participate in the conversation of a table of ten strangers. 

This morning I shared with my daughter my excitement of nearly reaching enough mileage for a round trip ticket to anywhere in the Continental United States. "Where are you going?" she asked. "Alaska." I replied. "You do know that Alaska is not in the Continental United States." she questioned.

LAUGHING AT MYSELF...now I do.