Just one more little trip!

So, my good friend April is leaving Iwakuni on September 24.  She asked if I would come visit one more time before she left.  And of course, I wanted to, but couldn't figure out how to squeeze it in after my Philippines trip and before Dan left town for a week 2 weeks later.  Plus I needed a Command letter to fly Space A, and then I needed a flight!

So.... Josh and I got back Monday night.  Wednesday at 10:45am, Dan called and said, "I have your Command Letter and I just got off the phone with the Terminal.  There is a flight arriving in 30 minutes that will turn around and go back to Iwakuni.  If you can get there in the 30-45 minutes, you can get on the flight!"

What?!!  I sent Josh a message that I was running away, packed my bag and was almost ready by the time Dan came to get me.  He drove me to the Futenma Terminal and they were super nice.  I checked in they gave me a thumbs up and I was good to go!  The pilot was a friend of my friends Steph, and was very nice as well.

Goodbye Okinawa!  I was on my own personal private flight on a C-17 to Iwakuni!

Hello Iwakuni!!

Steph, April, Char and I went to Miyajima on Thursday.  It was a perfect day with perfect weather.

We went to the iconic Torii to get a photo.

We were suppose to get a nice selfie, but got this instead.

A sweet girl passing by got a good shot for us.

And then I got photobombed.

I still got my selfie though!

I got to do all the things I wanted!  I saw lots of friends, and got to hang out with most of them.  I got to go to my favorite thrift store and I bought gorgeous kimonos that I mailed to myself.  I got to eat yummy things and see places I like.  If I could have planned a perfect trip, that would have been it.  (Except I'd have eaten at Sako's and Devi's!)

My friend Hope introduced me to this awesome little bakery with adorable desserts.  I may have gone there twice and gotten cakes each time.

Friday evening I went and checked in to catch the weekly Rotator back to Okinawa.  It was smooth sailing with plenty of seats to go Space A.  I got ticketed and then just had lots and lots of time to wait.

But I got on the plane and got home.  Just a lot later than expected. (At 9pm Friday night)  But I had a wonderful trip and I have the best family that supported me to be able to do this.  They did a great job taking care of themselves without me and were just fantastic.  I am so lucky!