I have to remember to delineate between bus and motor coach. We take a motor coach. The difference between the two being that the motor coach has a bathroom onboard. That I will never use.

I arrive at the rail yard for the 9:45am motor coach. Derek is off today so I am heading up alone. This continues to be a frustrating situation because I didn’t come up here to be alone. Again, we planned a lot of things over the winter to entertain our guests. I have yet to use them.

I settle in to listen to my audible selection and make some bracelets.

We briefly stop in Wasilla. The motor coach parks in the Fred Meyer parking lot and we are free to go to any of the restaurants around the store.

When I get back on the coach, I see this very large whitish-pink bird. I laugh to myself that I didn’t even stop in the liquor store, yet I’m seeing large birds. I find out through coworkers that the lady who owned the bird thought we were a tour group and came onboard to show off the bird. I don’t think this bird had anything to do with Alaska. Just a friendly older lady who owned a large species of Cockatoo.

It’s about a five hour journey and I find it relaxing. We arrive in Healy shortly after 3pm. I drop my things in my room, celebrate having the room to myself, and head off to the shuttle. I’m going to Denali Village to shop for souvenirs and a snack.

Usually I am with Derek. So the fact that I manage to get to the Village and back makes me pretty proud of myself. Look at me. All grown up. Adulting lol.

I leave with my purchases. A bar of locally made lavender soap, a small box of candy, a gluten free muffin and a Rice Krispie treat. I want to ensure I have food given the recent difficulty.

Stopping briefly in the bar for a margarita, I then head to my room. It is time to unwind and get ready for tomorrow’s train. A Southbound DEX to the port in Whittier. These passengers are going on a cruise!