Tough decisions

Alright, well Dale came out yesterday and we already had an idea that we would be having the "so are ya comming back next year" talk. Kimberly and I decided a long time ago that we would not be coming back up. We just miss Portland and were tired of freewheeling not really doing anything for our future.

well dale started the conversation saying, would a paid Hawaiian vacation convince ya to stay. Which had Kimberly hook, line, and sinker. I started to wonder if maybe it would be a good thing. I KNOW Cynthia and Dale could use the help, Dale LOVES having someone mechanically inclined around, he has a laundry list for me to do this summer from replacing an engine in a truck to going out to their house in Fairbanks for a couple weeks and replace an engine on his hover craft, and painting his airplane hanger. Not only that but he recently found a satellite internet provider that has a FREE online training program and distribution/install perks that ANYONE can do for free training. So he wants to buy a bunch of the satellite units and sell them in the villages... not only that but the distributer/installer sets the install fee and keeps 100% of the money and gets a percentage of the month bill paid by the users... so that would give Dale and I something to do every other weekend or so.

But beyond the help, Dale was serious about the Hawaii trip. Alaska Airlines is going to start flying to Hawaii and when they do they have frequent flyer miles they can cash in. I talked with Dale this morning and told him that Hawaii would be cool, BUT, i don't want to spend time not being paid to fly somewhere and have it not be home to our families. He told me "no, I know that, Hawaii would be in addition to a trip home". Not only that but he talked about a raise, AND another day off (having someone come in and work saturdays). So more pay and less work, simply because they trust us we know what to do already, and I help keep up on the mechanical stuff so he doesnt have a HUGE list of stuff to fix and get running every time he comes into town (unlike the last couple that was out here whom could barely tell a wrench from a hammer).

Then Dale took me out in his plane today. He purchased some property somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-70 miles out... just a place to get away from Tanana for a week and relax. So we flew overhead, then on the way home he ACTUALLY LET ME FLY! I was freaked out of my mind, the turbulence wasn't horrible BUT it sure made me uncomfortable in the 6 seat plane. He told me he wanted to let me fly and i said "no its quite alright, you can keep flying" (he offered as we were bouncing around and all i could think about was kissing the ground let alone FLYING). Then the next thing i know he has his hands off the controls and he says "go for it"
"wha"?
and he pointed to the controls and said "go for it" again.
So i grabbed the controls and stayed in control till just before we landed and he took over then (luckily). After we landed he reiterated the fact that what I just did is something that many people in Portland only dream of, and up here its everyday life.

So, today was a VERY good day. I spent time working on one of his pickups (needs a starter and the local parts store is out *wink*) so after our failed second attempt at flying a starter out (flew 2 wrong ones out) he took the second attempt back tonight with him and this time the one from the truck so hopefully he will be able to get the right one hopefully the saying 3rd times a charm will hold true.

We love you and will hopefully be seeing you sooner than we thought (though not as long as we thought) but we will let you all know of the dates as soon as everything is in set in stone.