Travel Journal, 16

My flight pulled up to the gate at SEATAC airport in Seattle. I had all of my carryon items on my lap, ready to go. But all the preparedness couldn’t bring back the time we’d lost. As I gazed out the window, the flight next to me pulled away, and began taxiing out of sight. My next connection was tight to begin with. But we sat on the tarmac in Dallas for 25 minutes and even lost time in the air. I thumbed through my book and found the tickets. The departing flight that I just saw pull away was mine.

My classes had finished up in Texas and I was now trying to get to Alaska. Christina took a work opportunity for 10 days up in beautiful Ketchikan. Southern Alaska stands out as one of the most perfect places in the US. In an area known as the Inside Passage, Ketchikan boasts temperate weather, stunning scenery, and great food. We had a plan. I would meet Christina there after my classes were over. To top it off, it was our anniversary.

But alas, there I stood, looking at an empty gate. The next flight to Ketchikan was…tomorrow.

Simply gutted, I tightened my backpack. If I was going to be stuck in Seattle for 24 hours, I was going to enjoy it. Now, I could regale you with tales of taking the train to downtown Seattle. Or tell you about amazing fish and chips at Pikes Place Market, where a super old guy was playing a beat-up piano on the sidewalk. Or maybe wax poetic about the local coffee scene.

But none of that matters because I was alone. Traveling solo might sound adventurous, and certainly can be. But soon, you find yourself looking to share the adventure. And the woman with whom I share all things was in Alaska, waiting for me.

For ten years I have had the perfect travel partner.

For ten years we’ve shared experiences.

For ten years we’ve sat next to each other on planes and busses.

For ten years we’ve eaten strange food, side by side.

For ten years we’ve been joined at the hip.

A decade of togetherness.

A decade of marriage.

Happy tenth, Christina.

It’s been a joy, near or far.

Home really is wherever we go together.

anthony forrest