A Surreal Adventure...

Most people plan a trip to Alaska months and even years in advance. Not this cookie! I'm a creature of the moment. Spontaneity is my middle name. The Tuesday before the day of my birthday, as I waited for a Windows 10 snail-pace update, eyes gazing into the deep blue of the monitor screen, I spooned instant non-fat, vegan Thai soup into my mouth while asking myself: What do I want to do this Friday to celebrate my 60th birthday? As my thought surfed on an inner wave, the update concluded. After the poltergeist looking window made its appearance, an image of a glacier popped.

"Alaska," I screamed. The northern lights have been in my bucket list since I was a child.

Startled, Magic, my black Siamese, leaped from its comfort zone and landed on four paws thinking, "Oh no. There's that look again."

Immediately, I sent an IM to my friend Jay Jay asking about her trip to Alaska the previous December. She promised to send and e-mail with the information. Before she could hit the send button, I already had texted a co-worker.

"Linda, do you know a good travel agency online?"

"Try Kayak."

I did. I could not believe I found a trip package leaving in less than 48 hours for less than $800 including round trip to Anchorage and lodging for 4 nights at The Lakefront Anchorage. I googled the place. Set on the shore of Lake Spenard next to Lake Hood, this Millennium Hotel offers daily flightseeing and fishing pickups from its own dock, from which you can also gaze at floatplanes with the majestic Chugach Mountains behind or at the flickering light reflections on its calm waters at night.

I found that Lake Hood Harbor serves as the floatplane base where one can take a tour to Denali, Eagle or Matanuska Glacier, and everywhere Alaska. The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum is located at walking distance. Only a few minutes drive from the Anchorage Airport, The Lakefront Anchorage is located centrally a short drive away from must see attractions like Knik Arm, Point Woronzof, Earthquake Park, DeLong Lake Park and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, an 11 mile urban trail through wildlife habitats I also wanted to walk. This sounded like paradise for a romantic, an urban planner/designer, and a poet like me.

This hotel also features the Flying Machine Restaurant, a friendly neighborhood bistro with panoramic views of the idyllic Lake Spenard. While having a meal, you can watch seaplanes land and takeoff against the backdrop of icy glaciers, and enjoy a bison burgers or jumbo king crab legs paired with an icy pint of Alaskan Amber. The Fancy Moose Lounge also located at The Lakefront Anchorage offers a delectable menu of finger foods, local brew, panoramic views of Lake Spenard, and live jazz. Even for a vegan, lipid intolerant with a strict fat-free, gluten free, and low sugar diet like myself, what's not to like?

The off season fee (the lodging cost was $50 lower than the old Raddison I stayed in located near the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport) also included a $90 adventure package consisting of a scenic ride along the Turnagain Arm, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, lunch, and a ride on the the Alyeska Resort Tram.

For a last minute booking that was the heck of a deal! The stars were on my side. The universe said yes, yes. I jumped like a three year old lost in a candy store in front of my ancestors' altar. "I'm going to Alaska, abuelo!" I shouted hysterical to the black and white photo of my grandfather. I swear the old man smiled. Abuelo Jose Maria, my father's dad, was the type of adventurous man who traveled by mule between cities in a foreign country to sell a few master locks.

Only one detail was missing. To find a pet sitter in two days. Thanks to my friend Carol, I secured a sitter that would come home and feed my darlings, Magic and Oracle.

Within the next thirty twenty-four hours, I finished two proposals at work, packed as light as I could for a 50 to 20 degree weather and prepared for the ride of my life. Living in the Sonoran Desert, I do not own a winter jacket. Instead, I packed layers, long underwear, and my old black leather jacket and bought a pair of thermic, second-hand, expensive hiking boots at Booksman Sport for $40 bucks -- a total ganga.

Alaska here I come!