Just when I thought I’d never dry out from the soggy Alaskan
weather, California came calling in the form of wedding bells and promises of
sunshine. One of my closest girlfriends was getting married and I really
couldn’t miss seeing her on her wedding day. As an added bonus, Riley would get
to experience the love of friends and family back at home. The only thing that
stood between Riley and I and that delicious sun was the dreaded airplane ride
with an “infant.” We’ve all heard the horror stories…. Kids kicking seats,
babies screaming for 5 hours straight, a stoic mother’s gaze while she
contemplates tequila shots…
I feared traveling alone with Riley, especially since we would need to
drive 8 hours to Anchorage before we even started the 6-hour plane ride. I was
surely setting myself up for a mid-air baby breakdown, right?
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| so much to see! |
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| Nothing else to do but crawl |
I could go on and on about the details of our travels, but
I’ll just say that my lil’ daughter was one heck of a traveler. She handled the
8-hour drive to Anchorage like a champ, and then oohed and ahhed her way
through airport security. Once on the plane, she won the hearts of the flight
attendants and made the nearby passengers laugh out loud. To top of the great traveling luck, Riley decided to try her hand at crawling while we were waiting for our connecting flight. I watched with pride as Riley got those
little hands and legs in synch and began her days of mobility.
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| kisses from cousin |
Our time in California was a fast and furious whirlwind of an adventure. People to see, things to do, naps to squeeze in. Poor Riley was bombarded with stimulation of mass quantities - from traffic and congestion on the highways to kisses and screams of delight from loved ones. and Papa, Aunties and Uncles, excited cousins… Riley was overjoyed to have the attention of so many people. She wore her sundresses and splashed in the pool; she learned how to clap, sit up on her own, and give kisses; she relished in the tastes of summer fruit and the feel of the warm summer sun on her skin.
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| hangin with Auntie and Cousin Maya |
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| lovin' the pool |
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| Time with my girls! |
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| clap if you love being naked! |
The change of scenery was a nice refresher for me, but I
unexpectedly found myself ready to return to Alaska. I guess the simplicity of
things and the quirkiness that comes with McCarthy living is carving its mark
on me. Don’t get me wrong- there’s
nothing glamorous about bathing in a plastic bin (but oh what a conversation
starter that one is!). My internal struggle with Alaska wages on, but little by
little I’m finding peace and along with that a new definition of what “home” really is.
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| Happy to be home! |
