I Get By With a Little Help from....Sean

This is Sean - he saved me.

I left Seward around 1 p.m. to hitch a ride back to Anchorage in order to take the train to Fairbanks.  

I got as far as Moose Pass and, while climbing a hill, held out my "HELP RIDE" sign.  Sean pulled over.  He was very easy-going.  In the Navy 8 years, owned a bakery, and now worked as an assessor.  Sean thought it "different" that I had such a loose travel plan, and he was a little taken aback when I phoned someone I had never met before, asking to spend the night.  But, he agreed, if it worked for me.....

Delbert and Elaine, Anchors in Anchorage

My hosts in Anchorage on Wednesday night, Delbert and Elaine Cedarburg.

Friends of my parents from a long time ago.  Delbert says he dated my Mom - maybe twice. Then he asked if I was married. When I told him "no," he told me I was an old maid.  I think my Mom made a good choice in my Dad.  ;-)

Seward, and Onward

Wednesday's view of the office from Seward....(Wifi has been limited, so I'm playing catch up!)

Mile 0 of the 1910 Seward-to-Nome Iditarod route.

Reindeer Omelet, Alaska Nellie's Roadhouse, Seward, AK

The 1970s called - they want their sign back.

Classic yellow squares in downtown Seward across from the Brown and Hawkins Mercantile, which was also the first bank and telegraph outlet in 1918., now run by third-generation owners Iris and Hugh Darling.  "Just like sweetheart," said Iris, making sure I had it spelled right.  (Iris Darling is also one of the local historians.)

Iris Darling showing me photos from the original Brown and Hawkins Bank and Mercantile.

"That man there always wore a three-piece suit," she said. "They all were a sweaty mess, and he was still in that suit."

Seward Home Away From Home

Thanks to my hosts in Seward last night, Paul and Alice Stone, with the Church of Christ!

They welcomed me into their home, let me share in a hot bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, and I got to witness the antics of their 14-month-old grandson.  A nice family atmosphere and solid sleep.  Ready to tackle Seward and make my way back to Anchorage and up to Fairbanks. 

Where's Judy?

Check out my travels on this map...click HERE!

The Amazing Race?

It was like the Amazing Race today...

Pat and "Max" gave me a lift from Homer to Soldotna where we stopped at a bike store - Beemun's Bike and Ski ; Brad and Brian tuned up my gears. 

Thanks, guys!

Afterwards, met Bruce, Bill and Bernadette coming out of Fred Meyer grocery store and they gave me a lift past Cooper Landing.

The best line today was during a rest stop at Moose Pass. A man from North Dakota asked me how far I'd been. I said Anchorage down to Homer and now I was headed back north. The teen says, "Anchorage to Homer? My dad won't even do that - he says it's too far to drive."

Sunny, and pushing on to Seward - 38 miles

A total of 48 miles to Seward...what a day!