The Surprise Is Out Of The Bag

The evening winds down - but not really.

Yes, it is the night of my son's big 18th birthday party and it has been a huge hit. Since things are sort of winding down, I can finally let the surprise out of the bag.

I rented a limo for the evening to take the guys around all by themselves and just have a jolly good time for a few hours. When it pulled up, the guys started spilling out of the house and just going crazy. You should have seen the look on my son's face. Priceless!

In fifth grade, my son won a limousine ride as part of the school sales raffle. That began his love of limos. When my dear friend got married, we got to ride once again in a limo. When I took my son and my mother to Alaska with me on a business trip, I rented a limo to take them on a tour of Anchorage one afternoon. Of course, I had to work. :-)

After the events of fifth grade, I've carried this idea around for his 18th if he still seemed fond of limos. They had an absolute blast and now all of the guys are pining for limo rides for their upcoming 18th's as well. I'm so sorry to all of the parents for planting the seed.

The evening has been so wonderful, full of frivolitry, laughter, and cameraderie...things we could use a little more often around here sometimes. Our bellies have all gotten quite the workout.

So now begins the sleepover - and this time it has to be a sleepover because my son and several of the guys will be leaving in the morning for an overnight backpacking trip with the youth group from church. Thank God my son will be out of school Monday for in-service.

So I actually think we might get a little bit of sleep tonight also. It will be a very satisfying sleep for me.

Now I can't say the same for my son and his friends. I don't think they'll mind too much though, do you?

It's BAAAAACK!

Tonight is going to be an awesome night.

Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch series is back!

Okay, okay - I know I'm a bit of an oddball, but that's beside the point. This series is men at their best and nature at her worst. Every year they go out to conquer the elements and bring in the crab.

Plus it's in Alaska - I love it.

Have to admit, my biggest concern this season is whether or not Captain Phil of the Cornelia Marie is going to make it back onto the boat. After last season's bout with the enormous blood clot that dislodged when a massive wave struck the boat, coursed through his heart and landed in his lung, Captain Phil's continued status has been a mystery. Will he or will he not return to the Cornelia Marie?

Then there's the ever interesting Hillstrand brothers on the Time Bandit - Johnathan, Andy, and Neal with the there one moment, gone the next son of Johnathan, Scotty. Will Scotty decide to rejoin his dad and uncles again this year or stay home with his wife and infant son? Will the Hillstrand family fishing make it for another generation to take over?

Last year we had some competition heat up on the Northwestern. Greenhorn Jake and deckhand Matt got into fisticuffs. Jake is young and gung-ho on learning everything he can aboard the Northwestern, but he has a big mouth to go with his excitable ego. Matt is old reliable and feeling the squeeze from the new boy onboard, afraid he's going to be shown up and washed out.

Then there's always the guessing game of which boats and skippers will be back besides the old faithful. Will the Wizard make a reappearance? What about the Maverick? Early Dawn? Alaska Lady anyone?

Tonight we'll finally find out.

Ah, Alaska

Winter has returned to Kansas this week. It makes me long for Alaska.

Ah, Alaska - with the snow-capped mountains year-round, the moose traipsing through town, the wind whistling through the valleys, and the blushing flora and fauna bursting forth at a moments notice.

Okay, before I wax poetic let me come down from the mountaintop.

Both times that I've had the luxury of visiting Alaska were near the end of April and the first of May. Almost overnight the ground goes from moist gray to vibrant green with splashes of color tossed here and there like a mosaic. The ice covering most lakes and rivers cracks and begins its journey, and previously unseen waterfalls thunder down the mountainside.

My first trip to the Last Frontier was alone, but I never let aloneness stop me from exploring. That's when I discovered an oasis I had to visit again. My second trip allowed me to take my mother and son with me, and we spent the last few days nestled in my favorite hideaway in the world: Seward.

After my mother came back to reality and realized those enormous beasts roaming downtown Anchorage were not mechanical (hey look, Mom - MOOSE!), we headed down the Seward Highway to that quaint little town at the end of the Kenai Peninsula. We took a wildlife boat tour, visited the incredible Alaska SeaLife Center (that wasn't there the first trip), and ended our journey with a stop at Ray's, the best fresh seafood joint west of the Mississippi. Melts in the mouth like butter.

Two days was not nearly enough time to enjoy all that Seward offers, but business and schedules called us home. Someday I plan to go back when I don't have to mix business with pleasure. I'm thinking perhaps a graduation present for my son in a few more years. Then we'll be sure and include a dog-sled ride pulled by huskies.

Somewhere along the line I'm certain my son is part Eskimo. After college, he plans to get a job and live in Alaska. That's great! Then I can visit Alaska as often as I like - I mean visit him as often as I like.

That is until I sell my first book and buy a home in Seward. Until then, I must dream of the day I can return. Sweet dreams indeed!