There was an inkling as I eliminating massive quantities of liquids and gels from her check on bags for the second time in 24 hrs, but watching her “get lost” in the airport on a straight shot back from the bathroom, I became certain that this trip was going to be a bigger challenge than anticipated.
Don’t get me wrong...I had expected difficulties. There are bound to be trials when traveling with the best of friends or family, and from the get go I knew Miss S, my 83 yr old neighbor in Idaho, would provide especially unique challenges. I’ve helped out Miss S. for years with sprinklers, rides to the post office, technology support, weed spraying, etc. and she in turn offers me a constant borage of homemade foods, off the beaten path health cures and any tool you could imagine.
Seeing her quirks over the years I thought I had a pretty decent handle on what I might be in for, and while not completely off base in my estimation of what the issues were, I underestimated the magnitude of her memory, stubbornness and organizational idiosyncrasies. This made for a trip of constant vigilance, reminding, gentle prodding, persuasion and sometimes outright force on my part.
She is a trouper nonetheless, and she charmed people across Alaska with her gnome like face, confused responses and snaggle tooth.
Here we have some of the many travel states of Miss S.
Not too thrilled when cajoled out on to the boat deck the train deck.
Going down the “elevator” in the train so she can use the loo.
Please note the angle of Miss S's lens in this shot. I'm quite certain 90% of her images are of the sky.
Miss S Sleeping......
.... on the boat
...on the train
....on the flight seeing.
There are dozens of sleeping shots, but I thought this would get the point across.
Finally, the MIss S. I’d like to remember most....truly enjoying herself.
After our amazing Denali Flight
In the Arctic Circle
After our last train ride.
As with all things if looked at through the right lens, traveling with Miss S. proved a learning opportunity. It brought focus to my ever present control issues and allowed me practice patience and letting things go that were not my responsibility. A good, if difficult exercise.
Will I do it again? Uhmm... no.
1 comment:
Ahh Yes!! Gnomelike indeed. What a kind, tasking, frustrating, wonderful thing you did!
Those photos capture her perfectly.
It makes me tired just thinking about all the logistics and sheer physicality of doing what you did.
I'm glad there were some good moments amidst it all. One of those - been there, but not doing it again deals. (I think you may have earned your angel wings there Missy.)
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