A Dash of Snark: Alaska: Chapter 1

Here we embark on the vacation recap for my memories. If this is boring or upsetting to you, feel free not to read!

We planned this cruise in the summer of 2025 in honor of my 40th birthday next week. My parents and brothers all joined us, and it was a really nice way to celebrate and be together.

The night before we left I gave M Mickey nails. True story: they were a pain to create. But she loved them!

The morning we left, we woke up and it was severe thunderstorming, so we didn't leave as early as we had planned. This turned out okay.

I got a call from my brother; they were at their airport, and as it happens, my grandmother passed away in her sleep. It was not unexpected but still very sad. Here is a picture of her with C, her only great-grandson.

We unfortunately never got M out to see her. Which sounds really bad. But we talked to her on the phone regularly until her Alzheimers progressed to the point where she didn't know who we were anymore.

We were glad we were all traveling to be together. This was my Dad's mom. My Babcia. She has a beautiful life story, and I will tell it to you soon.

Anyway. My family got in the car and drove to Chicago.

We parked in the far, far-away lot. Then we got on a bus to get to a slightly less far-away lot. Then we got on the airport train to get to the terminal and through security.

We killed a lot of time in the airport and ate some very expensive McDonald's.

We had a long flight to Vancouver. But I mostly slept, which was good.

We stayed at the hotel that was at the airport, and our hotel room looked right out at the airfield and the mountains! It was very cool!

We had dinner down in the terminal food court with my parents and one brother. My other brother's flight didn't get in until late, late.

The next morning, we woke up and took a Disney bus to the port. Vancouver was really cool; my big regret is not flying in a few days earlier to explore it.