Homer to Anchorage

by Carolyn Norton

The first leg of our journey is complete! After five days of blizzards and howling winds, some of us weren’t sure our chartered buses would be able to make the trip to Anchorage. Mr. Robinson had pilots at the ready to fly us north from Homer in case of a road closure. But, despite a last-minute storm resurgence, we loaded our copious amounts of luggage onto two buses – Red Bus and Blue Bus – and headed up the road.

Leandra and Catherine aboard the Blue Bus

The drive up was a taste of what our bus experience in Europe might be – gorgeous scenery, comfortable seats and highly competent drivers who expertly maneuver through traffic. It was easy to see the results of the recent snow dump all along the peninsula. Mountains were softened and rippled with thick powder and rivers were dark gray and iced over in places. We passed a truck, parked in a pullout, that had been completely blocked in by plow-packed snow berms.

Our sightseeing venture of the day: Fred Meyer’s in Soldotna. We piled off the buses and took the store by storm, collectively buying what had to be near 100 pounds of macaroni salad and chicken strips for the road and cleaning out the deli counter’s supply of turkey bacon wraps. You’re welcome for the business, Freddy’s.

By the time we reached Turnagain Arm, it was dark in the Blue Bus, with the exception of cozy reading lights. The sounds of students giggling and singing made a pleasant hubbub. We are really on our way; we’re really doing it!

Tired travelers at the Comfort Inn

At the Comfort Inn at 9:00 pm, we packed ourselves into the lobby to receive our room keys. Mr. Robinson instructed us to be in our rooms by 9:30 and in bed by 9:45.

“Why?” he asked. “Because breakfast is at FIVE A.M.”

That’s right, friends. 5:00 am will find us munching cereal and muffins, and we’ll be at the airport by 6:00. Then we’re off on a few very long flights before we all meet up… in Berlin!