Thursday, March 3, 2011

On Our Way - Day 1

We're in the air on our way to Anchorage at 34,000 feet.  Everything is going well - that's actually an understatement.  Some highlights so far:

One of our team members was searched and detained at the Bangor security checkpoint and patted down.  After that he was asked to sit in a chair with his hands in front of him with palms up.  A substance was then rubbed on his palms to check for explosives.  Luckily there were none.   Once he was released and seated on the plane we took off.  One of our team coaches was by his side the whole time.  In case you're wondering, it was the quarters in the pocket that caused the commotion.

The view coming into New York City was unbelievable, for those who had seen it many times and those who were experiencing it for the first time.

Not all of our adventures are totally new.  Have any of you ever departed a plane with toilet paper attached to the bottom of your shoe?  Yes, that's on our list of experiences for today, right from one of our own team coaches.

We also met a gentleman in the Minneapolis terminal headed in the same direction as us.  He's one of the Iditarod volunteers and will be helping set up the checkpoint at Iditarod, as well as volunteering in McGrath.  He, along with many others, are very amazed and impressed when they hear our story.  We've also talked with some who already have heard about us.

We're on our tenth hour of a fifteen hour trek.  It's going just as we expected - great teamwork from everyone with high spirits all around.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Thank you, thank you for the update!! This is great for us parents that didn't go.

Anonymous said...

it may not pay to do your dirty laundry in mcgrath or take a shower. the quarters got my bags searched on the last trip

Anonymous said...

I'm listening (or reading)! Bright sunny all day in Brooksville. Your mention of Minneapolis airport evokes pleasant memories. It will be interesting if you see in McGrath the volunteer you met in the Minn-St Paul airport. Thanks for the training yesterday so I can follow you. Edson

Anonymous said...

Hard to believe you are actually on your way - wow!!!!!! Loved the Mrs. Andrews Flat Stanley - how can you go wrong when you have Mrs. Andrews with you?!?!? Emery & Logan wish you all well and safe travels and are anxious to keep up with all of your adventures!!!!!!

Jan

Cammie said...

Glad to hear all was going well!