Rocky Start leaving "The Rock"

Transfer time is often fraught with setbacks and complications...and this one was no different. Our challenges started before the pack out stage, this time, and continued. The most recent to hit has been on departure day. First, our son jammed his fingers throwing the football with his dad. Since it puffed up and turned a pretty shade of purple, mom instincts kicked in and we ended up in the ER for X-rays, just in case. Thankfully it was just a jam...(although I had to endure the "I told you so"-s from dad).

Before those mom instincts kicked in, we got a call that the ferry we where due to depart on was delayed until the wee hours if the morning. Therefore, we ended up paying for a night in a hotel for a few hours of sleep (and sanity)...worth it. 

Even with these setbacks, we are not discouraged. A friend passed on a secret recipe I have waited 3 yrs for, another friends stopped by to say goodbye, the hotel was much nicer than the one we had been staying in, and on the way to the hospital...we where blessed with a rainbow. So, that HAD to mean it's all going to be alright....

After all the challenges, we have cooled our heels for the last 2 hours in the cars waiting for our ride. Even in the dark,she was a beautiful and exciting sight pulling in.

As we wait to board her, I can't help but think about Kodiak and how fortunate we where to be stationed here. It is not our "forever" place, but it was a pretty awesome "for now" place and we will miss so much about it. Goodbye Kodiak, we leave a piece of our hearts here too....