Southbound

I didn’t leave the house today until after 3 pm, after hours and hours of cleaning house and putting all the last items into place. Diane came to visit with baked goods and tears and, as always, some scrapbooking works of art.

We had a superb house check-out. Our place was spotless, absolutely sparkling and clean. Leaving it didn’t feel real until I used the bathroom for one last time (I hope that doesn’t sound too strange). It was our first home together – Scott and I – and, I certainly hope, not our last. I had lived there for over two years and in that time there’s been lots of potlucks and dinners, lots of movie watching and cuddling, lots of cooking and tidying up from various adventures. As we cleaned to move out, we found heaps of Cyrus hair. Undoubtedly, there are still traces of him there, and that’ll be true for some time. Yellow lab hair is hard to rid.

Kevin was there for our check-out, which was appropriate. He’s been our best friend in Wrangell, both Scott and I, even before Scott and I were together. He was probably my first good friend in Wrangell. He’s moving also, to Montana.


After running a few last errands in town, we met up for one last drink at the Stik – Kevin, Amber, Stephen, Alicia, and Nate. It was so nice to all be sitting together one last time, with the sun setting outside, knowing we’d all be sprawling for the holidays. Scott and I were taking off for good. Nate, Alicia, and Kevin were also traveling today, but on the jet. Amber and Stephen are staying in Wrangell for Christmas, holding down the fort. The Steamer Bay cabin has already been reserved for a New Year’s Eve gathering, one Scott and I would love to be at if it weren’t for our African adventure.

Kris found us at the Stik with a bag of baked goods from Haley. Her whole family should open a bakery – they are talented in the delicious element.

We finally said goodbye to Nate, Alicia, and Kevin outside the Stikine. I write finally because we’ve had a series of farewells – parties and gatherings – which I feel very fortunate for. I guess we all try to hold on as long as we can. But they had to get to the jet and we had to check in to the ferry – transportations that don’t wait if you’re not there.

When we checked in at the ferry terminal, we found Beth inside and said goodbye to her again. I think I've said goodbye to Beth three times, but each time was equally as hard. Amber and Stephen came to the ferry parking lot with fixings for spiked hot apple cider and a goody bag filled with warm muffins, sliced homemade bread, their famous mead, along with several other treats. Melissa Cady was there as well. It was cold standing outside in a small group, although the cider warmed our hands. The truck stayed in line, and minutes later Scott and I were being called to leave. It was time to go, and that’s what we did. We hugged our friends goodbye, got in the truck, and drove onto the ferry. There were so many steps leading up to that moment, but the physical act of driving off the island meant we were really going.

And now we’re on the ferry, the Taku, with the Wrangell High School girls basketball team, a few other familiar Wrangell faces, and our good friend Jodi. That’s how it always is leaving Wrangell, whether it’s by jet or ferry – there are always some straggling reminders of home in the beginning of a departure.

Scott and I stood outside in the freezing windy cold for a few minutes to see Wrangell lit up and get smaller and smaller. The metropolis of Wrangell. I’m excited about our next step. I’m not sure Scott is there yet, but I know he will be.