We are well loved!

We have had a weekend of fun surprises and packages from friends and family! Sasha sent us some incredible chocolate treats from her tour of the wine country, along with some wine and coffee. Like California in Alaska. So we enjoyed the bottle of wine yesterday and are rationing the chocolates! Thanks Sasha and Andrew...you rock!

It's Saturday night and we just finished unpacking the Subaru! It arrived....safe and sound. Dead battery from a month long stint in a container on the barge with the back door slightly ajar, but otherwise looking good. The whole process of getting it off the barge was a logisitical challenge. Maybe that's why the barge company is called Alaska logistics. The barge actually arrived on Thursday and we've been anxiously walking down to the port at least 2 times per day since it's arrival. The problem was that a few barges (all the last of the season) arrived at the same time so there was a line for unloading. The unloading is done with an amazing spectacle of forklifts and coordinated heavy machinery. Plus Alaska logistics wasn't on top of the paperwork required to land in Bethel. They also have no phone number here in Bethel. Alaska logisits sends a group of 3-4 people who fly around to the various villages where the barges go to help coordinate the unloading. They were mostly MIA the whole time and the port authorities weren't happy about it...to say the least (and the authorities weren't afraid to use profanities to describe the company). The Alaska Logistics people were cruising around in an old chevy van, and we spent the weekend looking for the van. We finally found them and they found us and we made it happen 2 days and a few hours later than expected!

So we're now the new proud owners of a new laptop computer and printer, two bikes, 4 snow tires, a case of beer, 3 bottles of wine, and lots of tasty tasty groceries to last us for about 3 years. Maybe we'll stay in Bethel for a little longer than expected! We're exhausted at the time being, but very thankful for all of the people who made the Subaru expedition happen....most specifically our parents! Thanks Mom, Dad and DeWayne (and Suelynn for your positive thoughts!). DeWayne, incredible job on the packing! And nice work on the shopping M & D! I already played a little Do Re Mi on the pennywhistle!