JOURNAL #23

7 AUGUST 2007     BACK HOME

 

We had an early wake up call this morning, since we docked at Bellingham at 7:00 AM Alaska Time. (The ship runs on Alaska Time regardless of where it is and this is one hour earlier than Pacific Standard Time.) Most of our group were in the dining area for early breakfast and had bags packed ready for the “car deck call” as we arrived in port. It was a time for us to all say our goodbyes with hugs and handshakes to friends we had spent an adventurous three plus weeks. Some we would probably see as the day wore on, but not being certain, we said god bye anyway.

 

After breakfast it was back to the cabin to gather the last few bags that hadn’t made it yet to the car. Then we waited by the elevator for the car deck call. When it came we eagerly pressed into the small elevator which took us down one deck where our cars awaited. uses on the street. Finally we spotted it tucked well behind those fronting the street and we delivered our cars and left them somewhat reluctantly in the hands of strangers. Lee had chartered a bus to shuttle us to SeaTac Airport. As we arrived, the Texas gang and the Garwoods, whose A was going to L.A., were  boarding and we waited for the next shuttle. While we waited, the Bakers and the four T’s going to Los Angeles arrived. We all had made it without any car problems!

 

Arriving at the airport our Alaskan Airlines flight was listed on the departures board for 7:10 and “on time.” It was then about 4 o’clock, so we had a few hours to wait. A few minutes later, the departure time changed to 7:46. We finally departed after 8:00 PM! Our son Keith III met us and we arrived home shortly before midnight after dropping the Olsons off on our way home.

 

So ends the Alaska Tour Saga … But wait! There’s more!

 

MATC ALASKAN TOUR 2007

PAGE 27

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Even though our departure was delayed getting out of SEA-TAC, Mount Rainier  was still in full sunlight at this northern latitude.

 

 

Janie and Bill Laughlin

Suzanne and Gerald Thiele

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It seemed like a long time until our rows were permitted to move out. We held off starting our engines until the last minute to keep down the concentration of noxious fumes. (These old Model A’s certainly do contribute to foul air!) We were about the last to depart the ship. We headed the line of cars on the port side of the ship and were blocked by about a dozen motorcycles whose owners took more time to pack than we did. Finally we were on the move. We met the Olsons in the parking lot and Dennis lead us to a nearby gas station where we put in enough gas to get us to the warehouse in Auburn with just a bit to spare. (We are not supposed to have more than two gallons of fuel in the tanks when shipping the cars.)

 

We had a little over 100 miles to drive to Auburn and didn’t need to be there until about 2:00 PM. Therefore, we decided to detour through Seattle’s Old Town area for lunch. On the way down the I-5, we passed the Kerrs still struggling with their burnt valve problem escorted by some of the Texas A’s. They were destined for Auburn as we were.

 

Dennis didn’t know what off ramp to take, so he guessed and did a good job. We exited to find ourselves on a street that would rival San Francisco for the down grade. We were on the brakes very hard all the way down and suffered many stop lights. Finally, we were on Alaskan Way which borders the waterfront and managed to find public metered parking. We put in coins for about one and a half hours and began a stroll through the Pioneer Square district of Seattle. It was a pretty funky place. We noted with amusement the State Hotel which advertised rooms for 75-cents! We came upon a shop carrying era fashions. Espresso shops abounded. We shot lots of pictures and finally settled on a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant where we grabbed a quick bite and then rushed to our cars before the meters expired.

 

We drove directly to the warehouse area. Our GPS pointed the way, which was a bit different from that on the maps provided on the boat. The GPS announced that we were there, but we couldn’t find the number on any of the many warehouses on the street. Finally we spotted it way in the back and located the office. A bus was just about to pull away with the Garwoods and the Texas crew. We rushed to get back and ride the bus, as the driver said it would leave in about 20 minutes. However, when we returned, it had departed. We waited for the next run and by that time, Jim and Connie Baker and the four Model T’s had arrived.

 

Arriving at the airport, our Alaskan Airlines flight was listed on the departures board for 7:10 and “on time.” It was then about 4 o’clock, so we had a few hours to wait. A few minutes later, the departure time changed to 7:46. We finally departed after 8:00 PM! Our son Keith III met us and we arrived home shortly before midnight after dropping the Olsons off on our way home.

 

So ends the Alaska Tour Saga … But wait! There’s more!