Ok the flying is finished, the car travel done.  We are now in out temporary lodging (read hotel) in Alaska.  When we left Dallas it was around 80, and when we arrived here it was 26 with snow on the ground!  This is gonna be an adjust ment, but so far it seems like a nice place to be.  There is green grass, actual trees, everyone speaks the same language, and they all seem real nice.  In fact, at the car rental place last night I asked where a good place to buy a snowsuit for my daughter was and the clerk gave us two pair of overalls her kids had outgrown for free!

The town itself is rather small, especially compared to El Paso, but we were presently surprised that all the major retailers are here alongside the regional ones.  There is an Old Navy, a Barnes and Noble, a Chili’s, Lowe’s, Home Depot, American Eagle, and even a Starbuck’s.  They have Safeway’s here which I haven’t seen in forever, and a plethora of clothing and specialty outlets.  The roads are well maintained and its pretty quick going anywhere.  I guess only time will tell how we really get along, but so far its been a nice change. 

I ended up buy a pair of shoes today since my deck shoes were not gonna get me very far in this weather.  Some things here are cheaper than in El Paso, but some a much more expensive.  I guess that’s why we will be getting COLA and a good size bump in BAH.

So tomorrow I start n-processing.  Let’s hope that goes smoothly and I end up in the unit I am supposed to end up in and they don’t try to push me to the Stryker brigade.  Hopefully we will have a house and be getting settled by the end of the week.

Photo: The left side was EL Paso, the right side is Alaska.  A big difference!

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