As I head off to math class this morning– the first class on my first day of my senior year, I might add– I’m posting this as one last look at yet another summer that has now come to a close.
It’s been a crazy, non-rev summer, but that is nothing new to us. Whenever people find out what my mom does for a living, they always ask me whether or not I like it—having a flight attendant for a mother, that is. And the answer at this point in my life is yes. In recent years, my brother (Trent) and I have both definitely been enjoying the benefits of Mom’s job: free flights. This is where passengers like us get their nickname “non-rev,” short for non-revenue. We fly for free, but only when there are empty seats not being occupied by paying passengers. Trying to get anywhere is always an adventure, but it is all I have ever known. And we ultimately just feel very blessed for each and every trip we get to make. For a girl who likes plans and control, I am unusually okay with such a chaotic way of traveling. “Planned vacation” just is not part of my vocabulay, and this summer has been no exception.
The first of our adventures was a weekend trip to Seattle, Washington that Dad, Trent, and myself made just before the end of school. Thirty-six hours, one city, bam. We flew in on a Friday night, did touristy things on Saturday, and were spoiled with first class seats for the flight home on Sunday.
Overly excited face because I was already tired, and fake it ’til you make it, right?
Watching them throw these guys around actually was pretty entertaining, I gotta say.
What’s a trip to Seattle without a trip to the original Starbucks?
If thirty-six hours was not a quick enough trip for you, perhaps the twenty-four hour trip to Anchorage, Alaska that Mom, Trent, and I made will do the trick. Mom was working a turn to Anchorage that had roughly a twenty-four hour layover, and she invited Trent and me to tag along. I often get asked if I go on trips my mom works, to which I have responded “no, only once when I was too little to remember, and Dad was with us,” until now. We made the most of our short time there by taking a segway tour around the city. After that tour, I do not have any desires to be back on a segway. I’m not sure how anyone else feels, but being unable to stop is enough to send me into a panic attack. It was an experience though.
Ironically, the best part about this trip was the time spent on the planes. Trent and I lucked out both ways with our seat assignments, and Mom’s crew was awesome and totally loved having us on board. Also, don’ t tell my little brother, but I got to jump into the cock pit for a few minutes when we landed back at home and were waiting on the door to be opened– perks of getting to know your Captain.
It was two in the morning when I took this photo, and it was not completely dark. Welcome to summers in Alaska. It was such a cool thing to experience.
Symbolic start of the Iditarod. (They restart the race for real farther out.)
Graduation gift, anyone?
Before I had really even recovered from our Anchorage trip, we were headed out for a weekend in Tennessee. Originally, the plan had been to surprise Grandma for her birthday (because we couldn’t be there for the actual surprise party thrown by my aunt for her last year). Long story short: a little cousin spilled the beans. The surprise was ruined, but the fun and excitement were not.
Aren’t candid photos the best? Trent just loves to take them.
The whole gang. Yup, I have a grand total of two cousins on Mom’s side, and I take the cake for being the oldest, and soon to be shortest because that little one you see on the left will eventually pass me up.
What kind of big cousin refuses to do a back bend with her little cousin when asked to do so?
To round out our summer, we made one last trip to Boston, Massachusetts. I’ll let these pictures speak for themselves: we had a wonderful trip.
Mom, Trent, and I devoted Friday to a whale watching trip out of a little town northeast of Boston.
It was incredible. This was only our first sighting of a whale; it gets better, I promise, although this already was exciting.
North-Star is one of the two Humpbacks we followed around for awhile– distinguishable from the other by the scars on his/her back.
And Hippo-Campus, the other Humpback; they know the this one is male.
We were so incredibly fortunate to catch these two between logging (resting) periods while they were in the middle of a burst of activity. Dives, fin slaps, and even a few breaches (which we got no pictures of because we chose to fully experience, enjoy, and be in that moment).
A tour of the harbor to start our Saturday off with the Boston skyline in the background.
The fact that the Body Worlds exhibit was in town made me very excited. I spent approximately three hours pouring over it on Sunday, and I could have easily gone back to the start and gone through it a second time.
Paul Revere statues are common in Boston.
The Old North Church’s steeple.
The pastry place to be if you’re in the North End.
I mean, just look at that fudge icing.
The USS Constitution AKA Old Iron Sides– the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.
And now we get to the two stops the boys wanted to make: Cheers and Fenway Park.
More like try to play, but same concept, right?
Sight of the Boston Massacre
And lastly, what is a trip to Boston without Dunkin’ Donuts?
And one more whale picture– because we have to end on a high note. (Says the flutist.) I really just wanted the pretty picture.
It’s been a great summer; thanks for letting me share a glimpse of it with you.
Thank you for reminding me why my job is worth it. : )
It looks & sounds like you had a great summer filled with great experiences! Thank you for sharing them!
We most certainly did!
Neat photos! Thanks for sharing.
If I had to pick a large city to live in, you have just convinced me Boston would be the best choice.
It has been my favorite out of the ones I’ve visited, that’s for sure!
I loved browsing through all of your pictures. Thank you for sharing! Have a great senior year Jordan!
This summer looks incredible, Jordan! 🙂 love you so much! I missed you posting regularly, but I’m so glad you had a good time! Praying for you, sweet girl. (P.s. You are absolutely gorgeous. <3 )