Day 1: to Unalaska, Alaska

Our flight was at 8:00am so we planned to arrive around 6:30am.  We were up, ready, and at the airport by 5:30; guess those two days to rest were well spent.  It was a long wait but better early than late.  Colin couldn't wait to get to Anchorage so he could eat breakfast, and I couldn't stop thinking about our next flight.  I mean I have not flown on one of these planes in years . . .

. . . and I wasn't too thrilled about this one either!  Our first flight was a regular flight on Alaska Airlines where you go through security and have the rules of what you can and can not take in a carry-on bag.  The second flight was on PenAir and located outside of regular security.  We had to check in again with the airline.  We were the only people not checking in with an ice chest or those huge plastic storage containers.  Since we are going to an island that is very isolated this is the only way for the locals to get supplies.   Can you imagine having to fly to buy basic supplies?  The airline lets every passenger check in three bags that weigh less than 50 pounds.  We proceed to the gate area, and I found it difficult to understand that there were not TSA workers or metal detectors or someone rummaging through my carry-on bags.  The only security was checking a photo ID with my boarding pass before we left the terminal and walked out to the plane.  I felt uncomfortable about it but went with it.  The flight seemed to last forever since it was over 3 hours on a little plane.  I will say it was beautiful flying into the Aleutian Islands . . . it reminded me of Ireland.  So exactly where are the Aleutian Islands?    

If looking at the bottom part of Alaska, do you see those islands in the Bering Sea?  That is where we are . . . Dutch Harbor is about the middle of the islands, and where we landed.  I think the actual island is called Unalaska.  I heard it referred to both Dutch Harbor and Unalaska.  The flight was good until landing.  We are flying around these little islands with mountains.  We begin our descend with nothing in sight except water.  I started getting nervous because I could not see an airport or the runway.  Colin looked  nervous too and leaned over and said, "Mom, all is good I see the runway."  Thank goodness.  Our bags were already there waiting since they were put on an earlier flight; too bad we couldn't get on that flight.  We grabbed a taxi to the hotel (only one of two hotels in town) down the road.  I had read about the hotel's big summer BBQs they have so was looking forward to that for dinner . . . that was short lived as the BBQ was in bar area and no one under 21 was allowed so had to eat in the overpriced dining room.  Oh well guess that is how it goes when you travel with a child.  Since our flight was delayed almost two hours, there wasn't any place in town to visit . . . it is super small, and I think we are only a few of the tourist in the town.  I can not wait to start exploring tomorrow!