Computer Crash

    Well, one week before our trip to Alaska just as I began my blog my hard drive on my computer crashed.  I carefully placed my computer in Andrew's hands last Tuesday and he assured me it would be finished by the 29th of May...a full three days before I would be leaving on our adventure.  Andrew the computer technician called me on Saturday to explain I would need a complete document recovery and asked me what I would like to do.  I promptly went and bought the external hard drive I have wanted for over a year.  All is well right??  NO, it is not because on May 29th my computer was not done.  On May 30th my computer was not done at... 1, 3, 5, or 5:30PM.  I called every two hours because Doug and I decided to leave a day ahead of schedule on the 31st of May early in the morning. Finally when I called at 5:30 a high school senior on his way out the door of the computer business said "well if you need it tomorrow I will come back to work after class tonight and finish up your computer, do not be surprised if I call you at 8 or 9 tonight."  I was not completely convinced, but at 8:47PM the phone rang and my computer, the new hard drive, and external hard drive with all of my documents were finally useable again...I was very impressed.  The tension over my computer possibly not being done made packing a little tense for Doug.  He kept asking me where I wanted things in the car and I kept saying "I don't care." I bet toward the end he wanted to leave me at home.   
    After a month of packing and staging we loaded the car and started the trek to Alaska.  Doug and I left at 6:30AM this morning.  We both were armed with coffee and bagels.  I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, but could not decide what was missing.  Our goal was to reach Canada by 5PM.  We did not have any problem reaching Canada on time.  The Canadian border stop was very efficient and polite!  After twelve hours of driving we are finally settled into a quaint motel about 2 hours into Canada.  The biggest surprise of the day...North Dakota, what a beautiful and diverse state.  I especially liked the valley setting which Minot is in, the entire area was very lush and inviting.  I beg to differ with anyone who says that state is boring.  Oh, and I finally figured out what I was missing my toothbrush...yikes!  The prepacking and staging really paid off...I found a new toothbrush in my make-up bag and all is right with this travelor again.  I will post more tomorrow... and some pictures.  Thanks to all of you who have graciously agreed to host a Markworth teenager at your house and families who are guarding the house, goats, and chickens