Over half a year ago Nathan reserved a few weeks of leave so we could take a European trip and see the sites of Germany and the neighboring countries. We were so excited to go! I have never been to Europe and have worked up quite a lovely picture of it in my imagination plus our friends from California are stationed over there and were looking forward to our visit. Our plan was to spend about a week trying to catch a military plane from Dover, spend a week or so in Europe then have a week to try and come back again. What a great thought and there were plenty of planes on the schedule going to various German bases. However, all the planes were loaded and there were no seats for passengers. As our outbound week wound to an end discouragement set in and we were trying to cheerfully resign ourselves to a three week vacation spent building a chicken coop here in Delaware. Fun, right? On our self appointed last day to try and fly away we heard there was a fairly promising flight out of New Jersey. I might add that it was around 2:30 in the morning when we called and got the schedule. As we listened to the recording, we also heard those familiar words, "Elmendorf, Alaska". We laid in bed and excitedly discussed our options. At 4:00 we pulled our still sleeping children from their cozy beds, yet again, popped them in the car and drove north. Our plan was to take the first plane that would give us a seat and go wherever it was landing. :-) The Elemendorf plane had the first role call and we were the first on the list so we boarded without notifying my family and took off in the opposite direction of our original plans! It turned out to be a wonderful trip and one we are so thankful we had an opportunity to enjoy. Rather than sharing in words all the fun we had, I decided to post some pictures for you to enjoy!
 |
| Our posh accommodation on our 8 hour flight to Alaska! Oh yeah, those mesh seat backs and the metal bar under your legs are the bomb! Thankfully we could take turns laying down. :-) |
