A Tale of Two Grannies

It was the best of times,

it was the worst of times...

for flying, that is.

We've been blessed with the good fortune of two Granny visits in two consecutive weekends (Grammy Williams and Nana Cook). We really hit the jackpot for weather on weekend #1. It must've been that lucky Canadian quarter we picked up outside Eagle. (Worth 28 cents American - practically covering the whole month of February.) But our luck ran out. Grammy got out Monday on the last flight to leave here since then. No flights going out. No flights coming in. As I write Nana Cook is in Anchorage, under orders to report back to good old Ted Stevens International promptly at 5 AM. Good thing she's an early riser! Today's flight was cancelled, on account of the previously mentioned weather.

One sidenote. While Nana may have it bad, she can at least be thankful that she doesn't have it as bad as the Bethel Lady Warriors. The last time they tried to get here for volleyball, it took three days of waiting and they arrived within 15 minutes of forfeiting regionals. (Good thing they made it, as they went on to win regionals and eventually take State.) And now, as the Lady Warriors again try to come to Unalaska, they must wait out another storm. If I was a Bethel Warrior, I'd at least find some solace that this trip is co-ed. Looks like the teams will be getting a lot of airport and airplane time in yet again.

And for those that don't know what trying to get to Dutch in weather entails, here's an example. Get on plane, fly 2 hours to King Salmon. Stop for gas. Stay on plane. Fly 1 hour to Cold Bay. Get gas. Fly 1 Hour to Dutch. Attempt to land. Attempt to land. Attempt to land. After 3 hours, fly back to Cold Bay. Refuel. Fly to Dutch. Attempt to land. Attempt to land. Fly back to Cold Bay. Get gas. Fly back to Anchorage.

It can make for a long day.
(Don't tell Nana.)

Nana, blissfully, was spared this ordeal today. Her flight was flat out cancelled. No attempt necessary because the earlier flights tried the above to no avail.

So we are left alone in Dutch Harbor, drinking our hot Poscha (Postum-Mocha), eagerly awaiting a break in the weather so Nana can come visit. The forecast doesn't look good... but at least the forecast around here is often wrong. We're counting on that.

Back to Grammy's visit. Like I said, jackpot!



The only minor concern was the pilot's failure to land on the first go around. But attempt #2 brought success.

Did I mention the wind? A light Dutch Harbor breeze was blowing.






Mystery Science Theater Dutch Harbor welcomes Grammy to town. Just in time for the Little Engine That Could encore! This time, we were guaranteed an audience!

Here's Boodacious posing with Grammy as she models Genevieve's cool boots.



Boodacious and Grammy playing.



We saw cool waterfowl



cool water mammals


and Unalaska's largest natural mammal (and Genevieve's totem spirit, incidentally).



And the weather...



it mostly held up!

Thanks for coming to visit, Grammy! Can't wait until next time!



Grammy also got to stop and visit Team Wilyo on the way. You can read about Supaguranma's visit here! (Once again, the Google automatic translator never ceases to entertain! Supaguranma = Super Granma, for example.)

And Nana, let's all send our prayers out to the weather Gods! Please allow Pen Air the visibility they need to fly to Dutch!