Five Day Journey: Day 5

Friday, October 18, 2013

Five Day Journey: Day 5

We were supposed to be to the ferry at 6:00 AM even though it didn't leave until 8:00. We figured that this was just to give us time to load the vehicles, but that we would be on the boat pretty quickly and then have lots of time waiting.

WRONG.

First, we couldn't find the ferry terminal. We found A ferry terminal - it just wasn't the right one.

So instead of arriving a few minutes early, or even right on time, we ended up being about 15 minutes late.

No problem. It just meant that we were at the end of the customs and border line.

Our vehicles were parked in the lines and we needed to go inside to print our tickets. Peggy stayed in the car with the boys since Derrick was able to get both of theirs. Andrew and I each needed to go in since our tickets were attached to the vehicles we were driving.

We got back out to the vehicles but once the line started "moving" Peggy and Derrick went inside where they would be "walk-on's". Since our tickets had been purchased separately, they weren't noted as passengers in our cars, so it was just easier to let them go on the boat by foot.

The line ended up taking over an hour before we were loaded on the boat. The boys and I were through customs before Andrew was with the U-haul, but once through customs, we just went to a new line so that we could load the vehicles onto the boat in the best order. (The ferry had multiple stops so we needed to board according to our destination and also according to the size of vehicle.) Andrew ended up being the first one on the ferry. He was just turning the corner from his side of the "parking lot" to go up the stairs and into the main part of the ferry when we were parking. He waited for us and just as we were getting out of the car, Peggy and Derrick came through by foot. It worked out well. We realized that we had no phone service and we hadn't made any plan as to how to find each other on the boat. The boat wasn't overly huge, so I'm sure we would have figured it out, but it was just nice to all get there together.

After setting down our stuff inside in the observation room, we all went outside to check out the ferry and get a look at the ocean.

The next order of business was to explore the ferry. Ammon found a map and was quick to locate everything and get his bearing on what to expect on the boat. The guys all wandered around to check it all out in person.

Derrick came back to let us know that Andrew and the boys had ended their self-guided tour in the cafeteria. It was time for breakfast! Peter got a cute kids meal that had an egg sandwich on bread shaped like a fish.

Ammon didn't like the kids meal options so he ordered off the adult menu. He ended up with two pancakes bigger than his head! He also had bacon and sausage to go with it. I ordered strawberries and cream french toast which sounded so good. It wasn't. It was a few (like one and a half) token strawberries on top of a pink colored (and possibly artificially flavored) "cream" that was mostly just gross, lumpy cream cheese. Everyone else seemed happy with their meals, though. (I wondered what Derrick thought of his - he got the same as me.)

Andrew met his first Ketchikan friend in the breakfast line. It was a man who worked for customs and border protection. During this time of year he takes a round trip ride on the ferry to help at customs. He was very friendly. As it turned out his wife teaches at the school the boys now attend, so that was fun too. He knew our bishop and does all of his banking at Andrew's branch. In fact, Andrew has already seen him again (at Safeway) since we have been here.

The gift shop clerk also mentioned that she lived in Ketchikan. Sure enough, our first day here I saw her walking through the Plaza (the mall). It really is a small town.

After breakfast there was more exploring on deck. By this time we were much further out in the middle of things - not nearly so close to land.

Andrew was excited to see a light house and took this picture especially for my mom because she loves lighthouses.

The boys got out their tablets and played.

The adults closed their eyes and tried to rest.

We caught sight of some amazing views!

At one point, poor Peter got sick. Poor Derrick was the one who was with him when it happened, but was able to get him to the bathroom in time. Peggy got some oils from the gift shop that were meant to help with the sea-sickness. A little later they had a movie for the kids down on a different level of the ferry. We took the boys down for that and by the time it was over, Peter was doing much better.

When Ketchikan came into view, I was amazed at how much I could pick out and recognize.

I could see the tower that I knew was set right in front of the church.

I could pick out the boys elementary school at one point.

I wasn't sure about the hospital, but eventually I found the correct building.

I could see the Plaza where Andrew would be working.

And before we knew it, our journey was over.

We had arrived to our new home.

1 comment:

UnknownOctober 20, 2013 at 3:55 PM
I missed saying good bye to you. It looks like life is very different in Alaska, but very fun! What an adventure you have begun. I miss seeing you!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.