Happy Birthday, Bonnie, from "Still Stranded."

Today was my middle daughter Bonnie's birthday. Hope you had a great day, Bon! I am on a new computer and totally forgot to transfer any photos so I could upload a few to commemorate the occasion. :( But you know we love you lots and wish we could have been there to celebrate with you.

Above is a small slice of the scene at the Anchorage airport today. When we got up this morning, we called Alaska Air to check on flights. Lo and behold, we were told that we could get on a flight at 3 PM but to get to the airport early because it was going to be a madhouse. It was a sunny day with a lot of snow on the ground, clear skies, no sign of ashfall. We were feeling giddy that we were actually leaving! After returning our rental car, we walked into the terminal only to discover that the volcano had erupted again and all flights to Seattle were cancelled. You. have. got. to. be. kidding. me. We hauled our luggage over to the AK Air counter to have the information confirmed. For some odd reason, they were still sending planes to Honolulu. Now I do not get this at all. If it is unsafe to take off, it's unsafe to take off, right? We had a split second thought about changing our trip to Hawaii.

Ran into a few people from Unalaska, one of whom stated that the volcano was erupting as they flew past. How exciting would that be?! Apparently at least one flight got in, maybe more. I called Lauren, the general manager at the station, discussing when our point of no return would be. She's trying to get to ANC tomorrow and all the way to Portland to attend the same conference I am supposed to attend. Unfortunately, since Rich and I changed our flight to today, we lost our confirmed seats for tomorrow. I called AK Air back and the first confirmed seats we could get will be on the aforementioned "milk run" through Juneau on Wednesday--the day my conference begins. We were told to call back tomorrow as other flights may be added. So far our luck has not been the best on this front, has it? If we don't get out by Wednesday, I think we will just try to go home. The way things have been going, that could take another week, no?

We have become pros at priceline on this trip. While still at the airport, we pricelined a room and got the same hotel again, but this time for only $60. Nice! We then reserved another rental car, went to pick it up, and finally got to eat some lunch (after no breakfast) at Ray's Place, a Vietnamese restaurant that was recommended by my friend Shelly. Great suggestion--thanks, Shelly! We loved it.

From there, back to Michael's crafty store to buy a bunch of photo mats and frames for Rich's photo business. They were having a 40%-50% off sale. Sweet! Plus bubble wrap and tape and then to Office Max to purchase a couple of boxes to ship everything back to Unalaska since it is way too much to carry with us. Hopefully we can get the stuff home without any breakage.

Dinner tonight at Mexico in Alaska, and some delicious flan, which you know I have to try no matter how full I am.

We will get up tomorrow and do it all again. I think I am going to add a little poll to the sidebar on the blog and you can vote on what you think the most likely outcome will be. :)

Welcome, Lori and Unalaska Newbie--thanks for following! Hopefully there will come a day when the topic will not be "stranded in Anchorage."

Should we take bets on when we will get out of here?

Cool ice walls around picnic tables in a park downtown.


Not that I don't enjoy Anchorage, but it would be good to get where we need to be! Since we were pretty much destined to remain here today, we decided to rent a car and get out and about. First we pricelined a room for tonight and were given the same hotel (Millennium) for a cheaper rate than we paid last night--woohoo! We didn't even have to change rooms. We took the hotel shuttle back to the airport to get the rental car and the airport was quite a spooky looking place. No one at the counters at Alaska Air, pretty dark all around, though there were a few people waiting for who knows what. Technically, the whole airport was closed.

We spent the day running around town, did some shopping and browsing, ate lunch and dinner out, and saw the movie "Duplicity." It was pretty cute and we enjoyed seeing a movie in a theater for a change! I also bought four books at Borders so maybe I will catch up on my 100 book challenge while waiting for planes or flying on planes (that's the optimist speaking).

I called Alaska Air tonight and was told that no planes went to Seattle today, tomorrow is unknown but all flights are sold out, including the "milk run" that we missed this morning. We were advised to keep our reservations for Tuesday but to check back tomorrow just in case some more flights get added or seats open up.

There were some greyish clouds hanging over the city today but I really didn't notice a lot of ash or grit when we were walking around. Hopefully it is dissipating.

One thing I love about Alaska is that we run into people we know no matter where we go! It's crazy--such a big state but it feels like a small town at the same time. We've seen folks from Unalaska, a friend from Dillingham, and one of my former bosses.

Tomorrow is a little iffy....we will have to play it by ear and see if we can find a flight out, but I am not feeling too hopeful. I never thought I would be happy about a confirmed seat on TUESDAY but now I have to admit I am very grateful for it.

More Adventures

We woke up this morning to blowing snow and lots of wind, poor visibility, and a big question mark about whether we would be flying anywhere today. Off to the airport at 9 AM to join the throngs of people waiting to see what our four planes would do. As so often happens, the sun came up and the runway got cleared off and the planes got de-iced and all was well with the world. We got our boarding passes and were told we had a connecting flight to Seattle at 6:40 PM but no flight to Portland. Oh well, we figured we could do something about that later, as long as we could get out of Unalaska! Rich had already started entertaining the idea of driving from Seattle to Oregon anyway. We were on the second plane to take off, around 1:30 PM.

Approaching Anchorage, the flight attendant pointed out Mt. Redoubt, which had begun to erupt a bit again, but we were told the ash was blowing away from Anchorage so we were fine. All of the passengers were crowding around the windows and taking photos as we flew past.

Pretty cool, huh?

So we get to the Anchorage airport and note that our 6:40 flight has been changed to 7:55. Still no worries as we make our way through Security, buy some magazines, and drop in at Chili's to have some supper. Sitting at our table, we start overhearing people talking about their flights being cancelled. Rich checks the board a couple of times and our flight is still on. Eventually our waitress tells us that all flights are cancelled and they are closing down and going home. What?
Yes, unfortunately it is true. Now we have to find our bags amongst the hundreds of bags being lined up against the walls, find a hotel, and see if we can get a flight for tomorrow. The Alaska Air "Customer Service" folks tell us they are closing and there's nothing they can do so we should call the 800 number and see if we can get re-booked. (So much for customer service).

Rich got us a room while I spent 30 minutes on hold with AK Air. We were told the only flight available tomorrow was through Juneau so we took it. We have an 8 AM flight, a 4 hour layover in Juneau, and then are on what's called the "milk run" to Ketchikan and Wrangell, dropping off supplies, before heading for Seattle. We will be having big fun for 12 hours and arriving in Seattle at 8:45 PM. Woo-hoo! We can't wait!

I commented that I wish we had known earlier that we'd be cancelled so we could have gone out to a nice dinner somewhere other than Chili's at the airport. We soothed ourselves by calling room service for some chocolate "moose" (yes, see the antlers?) and bread pudding. Not to be whiny, but Rich makes much better desserts. :) Actually, we first tried to go to the hotel gift shop to buy a snack there and avoid the huge cost of room service. However-get this-the gift shop was closed "due to ash fall." Now, I am not sure how much ash fall was getting into the hotel lobby but it was a good excuse for going home early, if nothing else.

Our shuttle driver was wearing a mask and we heard that the hotel is giving them out to anyone who wants one. I did have some grit in my mouth upon arrival so I don't doubt that it's coming down. It's dangerous stuff and I wouldn't want to spend a lot of time in it.

Luckily, we are both in good spirits and just laughing the whole thing off. What else can ya do? Who knows what tomorrow will bring and I halfway expect our morning flight to be cancelled. Rich promises to take photos of Ketchikan and Wrangell, at least from the air. I don't think we are allowed to get off.

Sweet dreams, everyone.

A beautiful day for a flight to Anchorage

The sun's been shining and it's been just gorgeous all day.     We were chasing volcano and flight updates as the hours went by.   At 2:30, we were told that some planes were going to try to come in from Anchorage and we should call back at 5:45 to find out if one was in the air.   If it was, we would be confirmed on a 9 PM flight.
As instructed, I called the airport at the appointed time.   Imagine my surprise when I was told, "several planes are here and others will be landing shortly so you should come now!"   When I asked about the 9 PM thing, I was told, "oh, they got out earlier after all."   Ooops. Rich wasn't even finished packing.    Upon arrival, we joined a very long line, got our boarding passes and were told that, unfortunately,  our flight to Portland was somehow scheduled for the 30th.  No telling how that happened.   The local Pen Air folks could not get the itinerary worked out so we agreed to deal with it in Anchorage if we could at least get out of Unalaska tonight!

Oh yeah, I failed to mention that as we were leaving the house, Rich was watching the news and reported, "the volcano just blew again!"   Nevertheless,  four planes had arrived in Unalaska in quick succession and there were more than enough of us to load them all up.   Two planeloads boarded while we were waiting for our turn.   As we sat, we saw all those people get back off their planes.   Soon we heard the announcement that none of us would be leaving tonight after all.   Come back tomorrow at 9 AM and we will try again.  

We don't often have four planes overnighting in Unalaska.   The good news is that when they go tomorrow, we should be on one of them.  :)   Stay tuned for more adventures.

Plants, Flowers, Herbs, Tea Party, and a Volcano Eruption to Top it All Off

My thumb seems to be a bit greener these days.  Our plants are coming along nicely.

The aerogarden is full of fresh herbs for the taking.

Char gave me an amaryllis for Christmas, but since we were going to be traveling, we saved it till we got back, hoping it would still grow.   And, wow, it certainly did!  It took off really fast and was in full bloom in no time.  What a gorgeous sight!   Thanks, Char.

My friend and former co-worker, Judi, is a very talented quilter.  When her sewing machine had to be replaced at a huge cost, some of the local women decided to get together for a little tea party/fundraiser.   And it just so happened to be Judi's birthday!   It was so much fun getting everyone together, sharing good food and good conversation, and acknowledging Judi for all she does for the community.

Kathleen, Annabelle and Sabrina

Not only does Judi donate her beautiful quilts to many a non-profit fundraiser, she also quietly makes "comfort" quilts for individuals in the hospital, dealing with severe illnesses, or coping with difficult life circumstances.  

Tonya and Anne

Oh, and new baby quilts to welcome sweet little ones into the world.

Melanie, aka Cookie Dough

Judi in the purple.  Somehow this is the only photo I managed to get of the guest of honor. 

Man, we have some talented cooks and bakers in this town.   Way too much food, but all of it had to be tasted.

Sharon was sitting with some others, who shall remain nameless (but their initials are OPLG and LS) because they said I could not put them on the blog.  Cropping does come in handy.   :)    I guess I am going to have to carry permission slips around with me.   

Zoya, who hosted the tea party

Donna
Claire
Char
We are having more excitement on the volcano front.  Mt. Redoubt decided to pop five times last night.  Flights are cancelled due to ash fall.   Rich and I are trying to get out on Thursday so really, really, really hoping that things calm down before then.

Send up some good thoughts for us!   We had lots of blowing snow all weekend and part of today but now the sun is shining brightly.  

What Next?!

Alaska cancels flights; ash cloud 'unflyable'

By BETH BRAGG | bbragg@adn.com / Anchorage Daily News

Published: August 10th, 2008 10:38 PM
Last Modified: August 10th, 2008 10:42 PM

Volcanic ash stranded several thousand travelers Sunday when a shift in the wind moved a giant ash plume into flight routes, causing Alaska Airlines to cancel 41 flights into and out of Alaska.

"The entire state is unflyable," Alaska Airlines staff told passengers at Seattle's airport, according to Chelsea Harms, an Anchorage woman who was booked on flight 111 to Anchorage.

Whether everyone had stopped flying in and out of the state was unclear Sunday night.

An online list of arrivals and departures scheduled at the Anchorage airport showed that only Alaska Airlines had cancelled flights - 28 on Sunday and 13 more this morning.

Flights involving other airlines weren't listed as cancelled, but Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Caroline Boren said she heard Delta and United had cancelled flights too.

Alaska Airlines made the decision to halt flights after the National Weather Service issued a SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) warning Sunday afternoon for an area in Southeast Alaska near the Panhandle, Boren said.

"If there's an ash plume in the way, we won't fly," she said.

All those stranded passengers can blame the inconvenience on a shift in the wind.

Kristi Wallace, a research geologist for the Alaska Volcano Observatory, said the wind sheared off part of a 40,000-foot ash plume and carried it northeast from the North Pacific to the middle of the Panhandle. The plume came from Kasatochi, a volcano island in the central Aleutians that erupted Thursday.

Kasatochi is one of three volcanoes currently simmering in the Aleutians, along with Mount Cleveland and Okmok.

Seismic activity at Okmok picked up notably on Sunday, the observatory said, but it was the days-old ash plume created by Kasatochi's initial eruption that created headaches for travelers.

"The flight levels are going right through that SIGMET area, and that area is full of ash," Wallace said. Depending on what happens to the ash cloud overnight, more flights could be cancelled today. Boren said people can check the status of flights today at alaskaair.com, or they can call 1-800-AlaskaAir.

Volcanoes and earthquakes and ashfall, oh my!

The Kasatochi Volcano, further down the chain near the island of Atka (which I visit for work periodically) erupted yesterday. I found this little video on the internet if you want to take a look (click below). We also had a minor earthquake the other night; I was sitting at the computer and everything in the kitchen began to rattle and shake for just a couple of seconds. This area has many tiny earthquakes all the time, most of which we don't even notice. But it's been pretty weird lately with all of the volcanoes blasting off and the ground rumbling, too. Only increases my worry about getting out of here on the 18th!

GOES Satellite Images of the Eruption

A loop of these images (provided by David Schneider, AVO), taken from NOAA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), shows three distinct eruptions happening one after the other from August 7th 2300 UTC to August 8th 0530 UTC. The volcanic clouds are shown drifting to the southwest of the volcano. Earlier this summer, these same satellites detected an eruption from Alaska’s Okmok Volcano.

Oh, no, another volcano is acting up!

Cleveland Volcano erupts in Alaska's Aleutian Islands

The Associated Press

Published Monday, July 21, 2008

ANCHORAGE -- There are now two active volcanoes in Alaska's Aleutian Islands.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory reports Cleveland Volcano erupted Monday, sending ash up to 17,000 feet in the air. Geophysicist Rick Wessels says pilots are reporting surface ash extending up to 50 miles southeast of the volcano.

Cleveland is about 90 miles west of the Okmok Volcano, which continues to erupt. Okmok's ash plume on Monday was nearly 20,000 feet, down significantly from the 30,000-foot level plumes reached this weekend.

Okmok, which in 852 miles from Anchorage and began erupting July 12, became more active on Saturday. That prompted the Alaska Volcano Observatory to issue a warning to pilots to be wary.

Photos of Okmok and Cleveland volcanos from the Alaska Volcano Observatory site:
www.avo.alaska.edu

The Hike and the Eruption

Saturday we headed over to the Ugadaga Bay Trail, our favorite hike. It was another sunny day and not windy at all! The Ugadaga was used by the Native Unangan people for hundreds of years and was still in use up through the 1950's by people living in more remote villages as they walked into Unalaska to trade. It's 2.2 miles each way, considered "moderately difficult," and we are told to be careful of a "steep ravine" along the way. Leaving the trailhead, we walked past a little lake and set out on the narrow, rocky path overlooking the green valley below. The trail winds mostly downhill on the way out (you know what that means for the return trip!), and we soon found ourselves surrounded by an array of curly fiddlehead ferns, the first signs of salmonberries, and many gorgeous wildflowers: chocolate lilies, purple irises, pale yellow bog orchids, cute little buttercups, the strange carnivorous sundew, and too many of my favorite ladyslippers to count! I have never seen so many ladyslippers! Making our way across a small stream, we climbed to the top of the hill where we watched the crashing waterfall on the other side. We had never seen snow still covering part of the bottom of the waterfall like we did this year. Onward to the "steep ravine," which is the most exciting part of the hike as we have to walk a tiny narrow path looking down onto rocks and dirt and water about 125 feet below. We always laugh kinda nervously about how it would NOT feel good to fall off that cliff! We happened to rustle up a ptarmigan from the bushes as we passed by and Rich managed to get a couple of photos of it before it flew off, probably relieved that these big predators did not bring it any harm. The rest of the hike was pretty easy, through more meadows of flowers and low bushes till we arrived on the rocky beach of the Pacific Island side of the island. After eating our lunch, we noticed that it had become cooler and it looked like some weather was coming our way. On our way back, it became more foggy, with a fine mist overhead. After the leisurely hike down, the return contains several steep climbs and I never remember just how much they seem to wear me out! At some point, I noticed that my lips seemed gritty and we both realized that there seemed to be a lot of dust or dirt in the air. Rich took photos of some flowers that he thought had little black dots on them and later realized the spots were specks of dirt. We still didn't really think much of it, figuring that there was just a lot of dust in the air for some reason. We finished the hike, pretty tired after doing our 4.4 miles for the first time this summer, but happy that we did it!

This morning Rich went into work for awhile and called me to say "there was a volcano eruption yesterday at noon, the same time we were starting our hike!" That explains the grit and dirt! Apparently, a volcano about 75 miles away erupted, sending volcanic ash toward our island. We were under an ash advisory through noon today. Hopefully our lungs will survive yesterday's adventure.

Check out the info on the volcano and enjoy some more scenery from our hike.

http://puff.images.alaska.edu/watch/movies/Okmok/movie10000.shtml