Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

Earl and I leave for Alaska in less than 72 hours. We’ve both said many times how it will be the trip of a lifetime, how we separately and together have talked about going to the last American frontier for years. However, as the time draws near, I realize neither of us has a clue as to what awaits us there.

We’ve heard of the vast beauty, the untouched wilderness, the wildlife, and the hearty men and women. We’ve seen other travellers’ photos and listened to their memories. And we’ve checked the weather in Fairbanks every day this past week to bring the proper clothing along.

But have we really studied Alaska? Did we check out books from the library? No. We do have one book and one giant map that are making the trip with us, but as the time for departure draws near I get the feeling we are in for a real surprise instead of some fairy tale vacation finally come true.

Most of our more exotic travels have been in the opposite direction of Alaska: Costa Rica, various islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica, etc. We travel to get away when winter comes to St. Joseph. We leave in January when the days are short and the nights are long. But when we arrive in Alaska the days will be long and nighttime as we know it will not exist. Sleeping patterns might need to change. But we haven’t checked into this, so we really don’t know. It also feels strange that we’re taking our turtlenecks and sweatpants with us, instead of leaving them in the car at the airport for our return.

None of these things is particularly significant, but I am aware of them and of the impact they imply. Yes, this is an exciting vacation . . . and we haven’t even left home yet.