Alaska Adventure: Day #1

Well for inquiring minds who would like to know how the first day of my Alaska Adventure went. 

I left Boone, NC at about 6:00 in the morning, I didn't sleep at all that night, I was too busy packing and tying up lose ends. Even if I wasn't hard at work I would have been way too "wound up" to be able to get any real sleep. I enjoyed watching some B movies with my roommate, finished off the last of my gallon of tea I had made. Packed the car and made my way to Newland NC to meet my folks and say my last goodbyes to My Grandma, My mountains, and My Dog Blaze. 

Here is where I had stopped along the way to Newland for Boone, to say goodbye to "The Old Man" AKA Grandfather Mountain. This is the last time I will get to see him wrapped in his green robes still thoughtfully looking towards the sky. When I return he will probably change into his autumn red, yellow, and orange tunic. 

Stop #1: Charleston SC. 

So fun fact: the cheapest flights to Alaska leave from the Charleston SC airport. Given the fact that Charleston is my mother's favorite city on the planet, I did not need to use much arm twisting to get her to run me down there. 

Of course once we had arrived in Charleston at about 13:00 (1:00 pm) the first thought on our mind was food. My only request is that we had lunch by the ocean, because me being the poetic minded fellow that I am. 

I wanted to see both oceans in one day. 

Lunch at the Saltwater Cowboy Mt Pleasant, SC.

We had lunch at this absolutely fantastic restaurant at Mt Pleasant called "Saltwater Cowboys".

The menu had a mix of fresh caught seafood, and southern style BBQ. Being that I will probably have more than my fill of seafood in Skagway 

I opted for a pulled pork plate, 

with collard greens, and Mac n Cheese. 

After a very tasty lunch we drove to Fort Moultrie at Sullivan's Island to see the Atlantic Ocean before beginning the 3rd leg of my adventure.

Stop #2: Charleston Airport

At Charleston International Airport, we had the typical crying, hugging, and carrying on that happens during such occasions as this. After I said goodbye to Momma and Daddy walked me through the bag checking area. I was all on my own to Seattle.

As a side note: I cannot say enough good things about the flight crew that would do them justice, the crew on flight 486 from Charleston to Seatac was the friendliest bunch of folks I have ever met! I was extremely nervous being that this was my first time ever flying on an airplane. The ride was smooth as butter, and I found I even kind of liked the turbulence. Somehow those shaky bits helped me to take a few power naps as we made our way over the U.S.A. 

Ticket in hand

My Chariot awaits. 

We chased the sun all the way from sea to shining sea. 

I arrived in Seattle at about 21:30 (9:30pm), After my first three hours in Seattle I have made the decision that this is two trips to Seattle in one, my first and my last. At least in regards to the absolute mess that is the Seatac Airport. 

Finally after being checked into the hotel, and a decent dinner at the "Silver Dollar Casino". Day one of my Alaska Adventure has come to a close. Tomorrow starts the Journey from Seattle to Juneau, then the final leg of my journey to Skagway Alaska.