It took thirty years, longer,
these dreams to come true :  to see
The Big Country:  ALASKA! 
Blame it on Jack London.  His
stories of adventure in

the land of snow and ice was
the beginning:  he painted
it so vividly on the
backs of my eyelids that I
knew I had to see it for

myself.  One day.  But that day
never came.  Joined the Air Force
to travel:  when asked where I
wanted to go, there was no
hesitation:  Alaska.

Alaska.  Alaska.  Put
Northern Japan for a bit of
variety, but back to
Alaska.  And if I could
not go there, would settle for

Australia.  Got  Texas.
Spent my whole tour here.  Never
left.  Been here thirty years, as
I've said.  But my heart was North,
in Alaska.  I would see

pictures in magazines and
wish that I were there.  I'd read
everything I could about
the state that was as old as
me.  But then, two weeks ago,

totally out of the blue,
a surprise phone call:  'Do you
and your twin have passports?'  Wait.
What?!??  'You and your sister are
going on a cruise, your ship

leaves in five weeks.  It's paid for.'
But how -- ?!?  'Consider it a
blessing from God.  You're going
TO ALASKA!!!'  Oh, my word.
Thank You, God.  Dreams DO come true !