A week away, and back home again.

I have arrived back onboard Denali Rose, in Wrangell, (home again). It is a bit chilly, 46 degrees, but the Espar, and the electric heaters will make it toasty in no time. There is "termination dust" (snow, for non-Alaskans), on the top of the higher mountains around Wrangell, reminding us that winter is on the way.

For the last week at Mayo Clinic, my brothers and I were caring for our Dad through surgery and he is doing well. Even though the reason to be together was illness, it was great to be together. I got to have a brief visit with my sister-in-law, and my daughter in Seattle on the way back, which was terrific also.

Mayo Clinic is a gigantic complex, with historic buildings from the late 1800's, early 1900's to modern current construction. You almost need a GPS to find your way around, but fortunately the signage is usually adequate. There was even an underground tunnel system to walk from your hotel to the clinic, and loaner wheelchairs everywhere to use at your convenience.

A few of the Mayo Clinic/Hospital buildings.

They had a digital sign that showed you the progress through the surgery system, a nice way to keep family and friends up to date. I would guess that it cuts down on the multitude of questions to the nurse's station.

Patients get a number to protect privacy, and the colored dots show how the patient progresses.

If any of my family/friends would like more details about Dad, please email me directly.