Travels with Sherpa Tom: Our surprise trip to Ketchikan for Megan's 30th birthday, June 22

We returned home around 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, did laundry, showered, rested and got ready for the next trip - 17 hours later we left our house at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday for our 9:15 flight to Seattle and the connecting flight to Ketchikan. While we were in Bolivia, we found out that Jon would be in Montana for training for the week of June 20 - 25. This meant Megan would be home alone on her 30th birthday. So from La Paz, we planned to surprise her. Ben paid for a massage for her from 1:00 - 3:00 on her birthday, Wednesday June 22. Dave, the owner of the company where Megan works, had ordered a birthday cake and ice cream, and coordinated with us - he met us at the airport, took us to the floral shop where we had ordered flowers and balloons, and then took us to the MFA hangar. We got a tour of the planes, marina and hangar, and then waited. Dave had given Megan the message that she was needed at work after her massage - she apparently assumed that they had cake for her. When she arrived, Patty and I hid in the bathroom with the birthday cake - apparently, this is what they do for all birthdays, with the candles lit in the bathroom and then singing Happy Birthday as the cake is brought from the bathroom. Megan was the only woman there, so when the singing began and she heard a female voice, she was surprised. When we came around the corner, she was even more surprised - she knew something had been planned but had no idea that we would be there. To say the least, she shed tears of happiness - and many of the macho guys who work at MFA did so as well. We had a great time sharing cake and her favorite - chocolate chip mint ice cream. That evening, MFA treated us and about ten employees to a wonderful dinner. After dinner, we walked around the town center and got a photo of the setting sun.

We know that Megan won't forget her 30th birthday.

Megan stayed with us that night in our room at the Edgewater Inn. The next morning, I wandered around and took some photos of the hotel and surrounding areas.

The hotel is on the water and the airport is reached by a ferry that crosses the water, with the airport on that island. But the water is used by the many floatplanes to take off and land - here is a short video of one taking off while I was walking around.

After breakfast, we visited Totem Bight State Park and walked the mile long loop with many totem poles and buildings.

It is difficult to tell, but there is a lighthouse on that island out from the park

There were numerous bald eagles present - we could regularly hear them talking. I tried capturing them in still photos (unsuccessfully) and then tried a video (successfully).

Megan showed us where there were many salmonberries, ripe and ready for picking - they made a nice mid-morning snack.

We visited a replica of a home that would have been inhabited by several families but is now used as a ceremonial center.

At the Visitor Center, we learned more about totem poles and the wildlife at the park.

We also learned about banana slugs - Megan told us they had a special day for them, with prizes for the largest ones.

We then headed for Ward Lake which is a recreational and camping site in the Tongass National Forest. There is a nice hiking trail around the lake and we spent an hour hiking it.

Another banana slug

A possible bear hibernation spot

Many of the trees had gaps at the base that appeared large enough for bears to use to hibernate in the winter.

This was a massive space - I could have easily camped in here

We then went for a nice lunch before heading out to the airport. Megan needed to renew her ID card for access to secure portions of the airport and then gave us a tour of the hangar they now use, as well as the new office and planned hangar construction for MFA. Megan was looking at the office and control point, as she will be ordering the new furniture to outfit the space - a waiting room, an entry control point, office areas and break room.

We then went out for a private birthday dinner with just the three of us at Megan's favorite, Bar Harbor Restuarant.

Megan then brought us back to the hotel and we said our goodbyes, as after two days off from work, she needed to get ready to be at work at 6:30 Friday morning. Friday morning, Patty and I took it easy and then headed over to the airport at 10:30. We had a light snack there and caught our 1:00 p.m. flight to Seattle, and on the connecting flight to Portland, I got these photos - the top of Mount Rainier above the clouds and the foothills below the clouds.