Going To Paris

Courtyard by Marriott June 1, 2026 As I try to figure out at 7 AM if I can get two more hours of sleep I looked up “funny Alaska town names”: Chicken: Reportedly named because the founders wanted to name it after the state bird (Ptarmigan), but no one could agree on how to spell it. Unalaska: Sounds like an anti-Alaska statement, but it’s actually a simplified anglicized version of the native Aleut word Agunalaksh. Deadhorse: A grim but literal name, supposedly named after an

The moment you accept that you can't control the outcome is the moment you stop being controlled by it. ​​​​​ The people who seem most at peace aren't the ones who got everything they wanted. They're the ones who stopped wanting everything they couldn’t have. These admonitions ring true to me this morning. While traveling yesterday, I felt an unusual deep sense of calmness. It was not a conscious action I took — it was a feeling of truly being in the moment, confident I cou

Courtyard by Marriott (~$500/night) Anchorage is the most populous city in Alaska. With a population of 291,247 at the 2020 census, it contains nearly 40 percent of the state's population. The Anchorage metropolitan area, which includes Anchorage and the neighboring Matanuska-Susitna Borough, had a population of 398,328 in 2020, accounting for more than half the state's population. At 1,706 sq mi of land area, the city is the fourth-largest by area in the U.S. Anchorage is i

May 31, 3026 The longest regularly scheduled Boeing 737 flights today are operated by newer long-range variants like the 737 MAX 8. One of the current record-holders is: * Brasília (BSB) → Orlando (MCO) on Brazil’s GOL Linhas Aéreas Boeing 737 MAX 8 * Distance: about 3,777 miles (6,078 km) * Flight time: roughly 8 hours 20 minutes Among U.S. airlines, a notable upcoming ultra-long 737 route is: * Seattle (SEA) → Reykjavík (KEF) on Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 8 * Dist

Dulles May 31, 2026 I’m overwhelmed by the video. The beat is infectious. The building is so grand. Dua Lipa is the embodiment of joy and confidence. I can’t stop watching and listening!

Dulles Airport Terminal D Gate D20 May 31, 2026 I’m having flashbacks to the 1990s when I would fly out of here a lot. It had t changed. It still looks tired and uninspired. The commuter arrival area is like a big bus stop waiting area. The peoplemovers are still in use. It is neat to look at the arrival and departure boards and see cities stound the world; and think I used to live 15 minutes from here. That seems so very long ago.

Charlottesville May 31, 2026 Seems like this trip had been in the works for a couple of years! My bags are packed (what have I forgotten?) and the Koesters will take me to ZCHO at 1 pm. I got maybe two hours of sleep; I’ll be ready to sleep on the flight from Dulles. Anchors up and jumping right in!