Mom’s Last Journey

My grandparents started the family tradition of summer road trips in the 1950s.  They visited all 48 contiguous states.  For my parents' 35th wedding anniversary, most of the family traveled to Hawaii, making it Mom’s 49th state.  Then my Mom became ill.  She had always wanted to see Alaska, but passed while the trip was being planned.

I had started to arrange my move from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, New Mexico, when I got the opportunity to take an Alaskan cruise with my daughter.  I told Dad of my plans while visiting Ohio.  He disappeared from the living room and returned ten minutes later with a small bottle.  It contained some of Mom’s ashes.  

Brittany and I explored Seattle for a week before the cruise was to depart.  

Alaska

We found the perfect place in Juneau called Gold Creek.  We sprinkled Mom’s ashes along the banks.  Mom finally made it to Alaska.