Prologue
Mark Twain said, “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” I've got a traveling bone that just won't quick and exploring the world with my wife Terry has always been one of the greatest joys of my life. Sharing the adventures helped us to grow together, focus on each other and made our bond stronger than ever. We travel in the same style. We are not afraid to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch as we drive to destinations afar. We prefer the "mom and pop" restaurant over the elegant repast. We believe the difference between adversity and adventure is attitude.
As I grew older I found it more and more difficult to travel. I've been battling cancer for five years now and it's redefined who I am. My "new normal" finds me constantly searching for rest rooms, using prescription medication to get adequate sleep and battle fatigue, as well as deal with other demons. Additionally, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 17. In the middle of my fifth decade on the planet this horrible disease began affecting my ability to stand, walk, lift and sleep. There is no cure for this disease. No magic pill, no duct tape fix, no button to push. Although I've always said, "You gotta play the cards you've been dealt" I came to realize I could no longer play those cards alone.
Traveling with muscular dystrophy can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. It was a difficult transition as I'm an independent person now relying on the assistance of others. I could no longer travel alone. The die had been cast and I'd reached the point of surrender. Fortunately, Terry was only too happy to join me on all my travels. Where I fell short she took up the slack. Terry was my baggage tiger - transporting, retrieving, lifting, stowing. She arranged for wheelchairs at the airports, shopped for our trip's groceries alone, stood in line for hotel check-ins, and on and on. I am truly blessed to have her as a mate, “In Life, It’s Not Where You Go, It’s Who You Travel With” – Charles Schulz.
This year's trip was too short for my liking. I played with trip dates on a variety of services (Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hopper, Hotwire, Kayak, etc.) and found June 16-26 air fare at $500. If I choose any other June dates or trip lengths the price was $800 or more. I guess I am just a tight wad because I just couldn't roll over on an additional $600. Maybe someday I will immerse myself for an entire summer. Here's hoping.
This journal is about the 11 days we spent in Alaska. It contains 198 photos, 23 low resolution video and thousands of words that occupy a whopping grand total of 2.22 gigabytes. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we did experiencing it.
And now my standard warning - Please be advised that all Alaska Railroad yards, sidings, section houses, tunnels, access roads, etc. are posted no trespassing and that entering them without permission is a violation of law. It can also be extremely dangerous. All my photos taken on the property were done under escort with a qualified Alaska Railroad Corporation employee and while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Enjoy!
John Combs
12/12/18