“A one-week plan in Alaska turned into 7 weeks of karaoke, Costco runs, kindness, and unexpected friendships.

How a one-week plan turned into nearly two months of karaoke, Costco hauls, and unexpected friendships in Alaska.

Saturday 7th of December – Travel Days & Tiny Kindnesses

Having the cheapest ticket meant my bag had to be checked in—which I hate—but at this point, I just accepted my fate.

The flight to Minneapolis was short and easy. With time to spare before my next flight, I grabbed pizza and raspberry iced tea. When the waitress took my glass before I was done, I almost protested—until she laughed and gave me a refill. Only in the U.S., I guess.

After eating, I set off for my gate—a long walk, of course. Just as I sat down, a fellow passenger informed me that our gate had been moved. My foot was not happy, and I glanced longingly at the airport carts. A driver must have read my mind because one pulled up and offered me a ride. It took four minutes to drive there—I honestly don’t think I would have made it in time otherwise.

Landing in Anchorage, Brad picked me up at the airport and drove me to Wil’s house. Finally, a place to rest and recover from the endless walking, missteps, and unexpected adventures.

I soon fugured that to stay in Anchorage for just one week would be a bad idea so I checked my luck with the plane company and I got lucky, full refund on a non refundable ticket 🥳

The Slow Start (8–10 December)

The next few days were quiet. I stayed at Wil’s, resting my foot and waiting for Brad to have time to hang out. On Monday, Brad picked me up early, and I spent the day writing while he worked. But by Tuesday, I was back at Wil’s—my foot was not better.

Dipping My Toes into Anchorage Life (12–20 December)

On Thursday the 12th, I ventured into the city and ended up meeting some people at a bar. I got to know a woman who is moving to Uruguay, so maybe I’ll have someone to visit when I get there.

On Friday the 13th, I grabbed dinner at Taco King and stopped by The Blue Fox for karaoke.

My mom had sendt me a christmas present from her and my oldest daugther, "Kakemanna" and choclate from Norway, and even a pair of socks for Brad. unfortunatley I was not careful when I left my stuff out and one of the dogs ate my "kakemanna"🙈😳😭

By Tuesday the 17th, I was getting restless. Even though my foot was holding me back, I decided to try and do something. I went to Joann's to get yarn, which turned into quite a project—two buses, a lot of walking, and real wool yarn costing a fortune. I ended up buying three 100% acrylic bundles so I could crochet hats for the people at Wil’s house. I also tried to find baking ammonia to make Kakemanna (Norwegian cookies), but no luck. I stopped at Moose’s Tooth for pizza and met Wil there before continuing the baking ammonia hunt. No luck that day either.

The next day, the 18th, was one of the hardest. My daughter Edvina was coming home to Molde, and my dog Dennis was being put down. Because of the time difference, it would happen at 3:45 in the morning. I joined Brad on his Door Dashing route that evening before to keep my head occupied. I had been crying a lot all week—it is just so strange that Dennis will not be around anymore. I stayed up all night, talking with Edvina, and I was there on video when he was put to sleep. He was the man of my life, and I loved him. But it was time to let him go.

Thursday the 19th was mostly crying. And crocheting.

On Friday the 20th, I went to a Dinners with Strangers event and met two other people. I really love the concept—not knowing anyone, but showing up with the idea that other people might be as awesome as yourself. After dinner, the woman and I went to a drag show. I was originally looking for karaoke, but that place didn’t have it on Fridays. The drag show was cool anyway.

She gave me a ride to The Blue Fox afterward, and I stayed behind talking with the waitress, who ended up driving me home.

While I was there, she was in a heated argument with some guests about tipping culture in the U.S. At The Blue Fox, the servers make $10 an hour, and the rest comes from tips. It really does suck when people don’t get that. I mean—it’s not a great system—but here in the U.S., I can get three drinks for the same price as one in a country where people are paid well. But at least in Norway, I know they’re paid properly.

Christmas in Anchorage (24–26 December)

I usually spend Christmas volunteering in London, but this year, I was traveling and it was too expensive to get there. Honestly, with my foot, I was glad I stayed.

On Christmas Eve, I wanted to do something meaningful, so I volunteered for three hours at Covenant House in Anchorage. It's a shelter for young adults aged 18–24 who are currently homeless and working to get their lives back on track. It was a lovely atmosphere and good to do something alongside other volunteers.

On Christmas Day, something amazing happened. Cato is someone who's been part of my life for many years, and he has this magical ability to show up when you need him. This year was no different. His girlfriend Elisabeth knew a woman in Anchorage, and when she heard I was visiting, she invited me to join her family for Christmas Day. She picked me up at noon, and we drove to Chugiak, where her mom and a friend were waiting. Later, her neighbour and her nephew with his son joined us. Dinner was lovely, and I even got to take a nap in her spaceship/massage chair. So nice to hang out with local people.

On Boxing Day, I checked out a new karaoke place—the Carousel Lounge. Great stage, not many people, so I got to sing a lot. I grabbed a bite to eat across the street and went home.

Anchorage Routine (27 December – 31 January)

On the 27th of December, I finally started contacting the insurance company about my foot. It wasn’t getting any better, but I still went out to karaoke at The Eagle.

The Eagle Aerie #4207 is more than just a bar—it’s part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, an international non-profit organization founded in 1898. Their mission is to unite people in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, while giving back to the community. The Anchorage Aerie at 2020 E Dowling Road has been a hub for locals, hosting charity events, karaoke, and all-around good times. Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, it’s a place where everyone can feel like family.

On the 30th, I finally saw a doctor. He wanted to send me for an X-ray, but I was fairly certain it was tendinitis. I sent in all the papers and waited to start physical therapy.

New Year’s Eve was spent, of course, at The Eagle. I met nice people and made new friends.

January became a steady rhythm of physical therapy twice a week and karaoke here and there. Another couch surfer came along and I made her a hat, since I most of the time just sat on the sofa and cursed my foot and croched.

7th of January was the first appointment at the physio and I combined it with a trip to the hairdressers.

On the 9th of January I finally got someone to give me a ride up to "Flat top" and the view was wonderful and it reminded me of home.

So who else spent a fortune on Norwegian cheese and crispy bread the day after haha.

On Saturday the 18th, I visited The Broken Blender for the first time. It was about time I tried something new. And it was super cool—I’ll claim this as the best karaoke place sound-wise in Anchorage. You can hear yourself so well even without a monitor, and the crowd is mostly regulars who love to sing. Unfortunately, I had a major headache and had to take an Uber home. The driver told me, in great detail, that oil does not actually come from dinosaurs… So yes, it was a long and awkward ride back.

Physio theraphy was going great the exercises are not difficult, just weird and stupid. See video for reference. The last one I call: Wonkey feet.

The next day, I got to join in on Wil’s famous Costco run. He does this once a month—a big haul of everything the household needs. Everyone writes down what they want and keeps the list up to date. According to Wil, this run was “not massive.” According to me, it was huge. Two big carts and bulk-buying madness—it was a real operation.

Both Kai and Kyle has been wonderful to me, and they actually managed to find what I needed to bake my own "Kakemanna" So I was able to bake a good batch of cookies, I am afraid I ate most of them on my own 😅.

On Saturday the 25th, I invited Corey, Shauna, and Wyatt to The Broken Blender. But Wyatt got sick, Shauna got stuck at work, so Corey and I rocked the night away.

Afterward, Shauna gave me a ride to Chilkoot Charlie’s, where an awesome band was playing. It’s also the first bar I’ve ever been to where you have to walk through a metal detector.

The Long Goodbye (31 January – 1 February)

My last night out in Anchorage was Friday the 31st of January. I had originally planned to be here for one week, but my foot had other plans. After seven weeks, a lot of physio, karaoke, and making new friends, I was finally ready to leave.

The evening started with me an Wil having sushi at Sushi Ya, before he dropped me off at the bowling place. I had invited Wyatt, Kyle, and Kay to hang out, but at the bowling there were a tournament so we went straight to The Eagle for one last night out. I came prepared with Aquavit and Vodka, paid the bottle fee, and shared drinks with all the people I’d gotten to know. Bill and Shirley and the whole gang at The Eagle has been amazing.

On Saturday the 1st of February, I was supposed to hang out with Brad, but he had some weird excuses and blew me off. So, I texted Thor, who I’d met at The Broken Blender, and we grabbed food. He paid for food, I paid for drinks—a great deal. And who else but Brad showed up at the karaoke bar, apparently on a date. He looked shocked to see me there, which made me laugh. Boys...

Packing up my stuff again, I am beginning to be a pro 😎

Wil drove me to the airport, since the foot is being stupid I travel with assistance again. And the weather was wonderful so I was able to see Mt Edgecumbe.

Next stop: back to Canada—but first, a little more U.S. adventure.