The Big Move Part 1

After finishing with rotations, we had one week to finish packing our things and hit the road.  We left Alaska in the middle of a May snow storm.  We woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground the morning we left.  Let's just say that Peder was happy to not have to shovel snow one last time.

Thank you Alaska, for the snowy send off!

 We met up with our wonderful friends at Kaladi Brother's for coffee before taking off. It's crazy that we won't see most of these people for at least 3 years.  We sure will miss our friends and hope they will visit us in Boise!

All the kids...Elias (4mo), Jodin (4yr), Tory (1.5yr), Abby (1yr)

 Just to prove how wonderful our friends our, they put up a sign on one of the overpasses so that we would see it on our way out of town.  Thank you, Alaska Friends!

It's small in the picture but it says "Farewell Terlands"

Our first stop on the trip was Tok, AK.  After 7 hours of driving through snow with limited visibility and a crying baby in the back seat we checked into our hotel and Peder enjoyed a much deserved beer.

Elias wanted some too!

The next day we made our way to Haines Junction, Canada.  We again drove through snow through Alaska and the Yukon. This was Elias's first trip to a foreign country!  We had to get him a passport before we left and he will have it for the next 5 years.  For the next 5 years his official ID will have his baby picture, his height listed as 2ft, and his weight listed as 11lbs!

Thank goodness, by day 3 we were done with snow!  From here on out it was gorgeous weather!!

We made it to Haines, AK on day 3 where we had time to enjoy the quaint little community before getting on the ferry.  We were able to check out the Haines Brewing Company which is housed is a mock mining town located on the Southeast Alaska State Fair Grounds and a very nice local coffee roaster.

Yummy beer!

Yummy coffee!

We also took the chance to dip Elias's toes in Alaska waters!

Cold but beautiful!

That evening we boarded the ferry and were bound for Bellingham, WA. This was our mode of transportation for the next 4.5 days.

Our ship the MV Columbia!

Totally awesome car elevator

Our cozy stateroom!

We slept through the first port of call, Juneau, but were in Sitka our first day! We had 2.5 hours in Sitka which was lovely because one of my very good friends, Kristin, lives in Sitka.  She was kind enough to drive out to the ferry terminal to pick us up and take us into town.  Sitka was really showing off for us! It was stunningly beautiful!  It was great to see Kristin and her wonderful community!  Who knows, Sitka could be where we end up when we move back to Alaska in three years!

Terland family enjoying Sitka. Mt Edgecumbe in the background.

With my gorgeous bride-to-be friend, Kristin!

The next 2 ports of call were Petersburg and Wrangell which we slept through.  Our next day was spent in Ketchikan!  We had 8 hours in Ketchikan and we had never been there before.  We took a taxi into town and had a tasty breakfast and wandered around.  There was one giant cruise ship in port with another one expected later in the day...Ketchikan was busy. We enjoyed a couple hours in town and met a few very nice tourists and then took the bus back to our ferry.

Another bluebird day!

Downtown Ketchikan

After the day in Ketchikan we had a full day at sea.  There were two open water crossings which were not at all bad.  We were so grateful for perfect weather and calm seas as Peder is prone to seasickness.  He took Dramamine just in case but had no problems!

Enjoying the observation decks

It's an understatement to say that Elias was popular on the ship.  All of the little old ladies thought he was the cutest thing in his wedgy hat.  We took turn carrying him around the ship so that we could feel special by association!

After many long days of travel we finally made it to the Lower 48!!!  

 

We started our new adventure by having delicious brunch with an old friend.  My good friend Laura took us to a very yummy restaurant where I'm pretty sure we won the "Parents of the Year" award.  Elias always manages to blow out at the most in opportune times and while at the restaurant he had an impressive blow out.  Always the prepared parents, Peder took the baby and diaper bag to the bathroom to change him.  After a very long time, he comes out of the bathroom with a half naked baby...we apparently had not completely restocked our diaper bag and had no change of clothes. Yay for a parenting fail!  Thank goodness he's so cute half naked!

Naked brunch!

After brunch we made it to our first destination...my aunt and uncle's house outside of Seattle.  They were so kind to open their home to us for the week before my graduation and the continuation of our adventure!

Up next...our week in Seattle and finally the trip to Boise.