Airport Ho Hum

Everything has gone smoothly except I am sitting here very anxious about my backpack. Technically it is too long. And I don't know how to adjust the frame to make it shorter to fit the regulation length. I didn't want to bring my roller -- suitcases don't roll well on earthen-grassy-rocky trails.

I see people across from me looking at their cruise itineraries. When I say I'm going to Alaska, two out of three say, "a cruise?" But as my friend Barbara says, it is nearly impossible to travel independently to Alaska. For example, we are spending two nights 10 miles from the gate at Denali. We then have to leave the park, sleep one night outside, and then the following afternoon catch the bus to go back into the park, repeating the 10 miles plus 40 more.

So apparently a cruise is the only hassle-free way to see the place.

Wish me luck with my backpack.