Our last trip to Alaska we landed in Anchorage. I had the warmest jacket in my possession. It was a synthetic suede coat with synthetic fur lining. When we went to the visitor information center to get maps and tour information, the tour guide said, “Are you from California?” It must be obvious that people from the sunshine State think Alaska is freezing cold.
We wanted to go to Denali National Park that has a summit elevation of 20,310 feet (6,190 m) above sea level, making it the highest peak in North America and the northernmost mountain. The train going to Denali was closed for the season. The train schedule is from May to September. We missed the tour season by one week.
We settled for visiting the glacier in Anchorage. It was my first time seeing the glacier. Regardless of what the local Alaskan said, my Californian skin surely felt the freezing cold in the area. It was such an awing experience to see the silence of the glacier.
Anchorage is beautiful, the city right up against the mountains. My cousin lives there! I have gone a couple of years (three years) in late October for a festival she holds for her friends, a sort of early Thanksgiving. That time of year, the sun does not rise until about 9:30 am, and it sets about 5:00 pm. It’s very ghostly, but I like it because it’s so quiet, almost no tourists (too bleak?) and the hotel rates are super-low. fun post!
We went in early October. We went on a raft ride. The guide said there was no sun in November in his town. All the people move elsewhere during that time, just leave one person to guard the town. I can’t imagine having 24-hour darkness. Then when we watch the nature video last night about Alaska, the most north part has 24-hour sunlight during summer? I remember hearing people wearing mask and do different thing to help them sleep. Wow, different kind of life.
We are going back to Anchorage in mid-May and plan on going to Denali – that we missed last trip because the train stopped going after Labor Day.
We’re going to Portland the day before Valentine’s Day!
Yes, we were also there right around the summer solstice a couple of years back for a family wedding. It was very strange to have the sun never go down. 🙂
Great question, Miriam! You know, I was there with my son (who is gone now), and it was happened to be on his birthday, though we were there for a family wedding (June 24). I remember I hadn’t remembered to bring a birthday card in all the commotion, so I decided to write him a letter expressing my love for him and telling him how proud I was of him and how much I valued our mom-son relationship. I remember when I gave it to him and he read it, he was incredibly touched, and I was happy I had done that. We were sitting up late into the night, talking, on that night when the sun didn’t go down. In the living room of the rented house, I remember looking out toward the West about 11:00 at night, seeing the sun and sky become slightly more orange-y, and then not changing. It was temping not to go to bed, because you just don’t realize how late it is, the natural light signals are all off. But about midnight, as it showed no signs of getting even slightly dark, we went to bed, and the rental house had darkout curtains on the windows, so we were able to sleep. 🙂 Thanks for asking!
Oh, good to hear that you had such intimate and precious moment with your son. I know you go see your granddaughter sometimes. Did you daughter-in-law remarried?
I remember living in Portland, the houses have room-darkening blinds. They made the houses completely dark. The hotels in Las Vegas have those too with the never-off lights outside, the blinds are needed!
That’s so funny about Las Vegas. Yes, those casinos have such bright lights!
My DIL is in a relationship for 2 years now that she started in the year that my son died. To my knowledge they are not married but we don’t speak. She has been hateful toward me for over 2 years, since she moved in with the new partner, and she works actively to prevent me from learning her activities. It is very sad. Although she has caused me great pain, I actually feel sorry for her that she is in an emotional place where she feels she has to lash out at me every chance she can get. Recently a family member told me of a long rant on Facebook where she accused me of never asking for time to visit with my granddaughter, and of turning down her offers for visits. Which is puzzling and frustrating because I have begged for more time, and I am always refused. But then, her followers on Facebook all say, “oh, poor you, you’re so victimized” to her. And so she hears what she wants to hear. Sad that she has to live in that angry and victim place. It’s a horrible way to live. 🙂 Funny how I can be terribly hurt by her but also feel sorry for her. I’m trying just to live a good life (good in terms of decent and humane). And I am grateful for others’ support – thank you! 🙂
We can’t help it if that’s the life she chose to live with no intention to resolve her feelings. She’ll have peace only when she wants to get in touch with her feelings and tries to understand and eventually forgive and accept herself and people involved. If she doesn’t take any step toward healing, she’ll be miserable the rest of her life. Getting into another relationship won’t heal automatically. The sad thing is that the child will suffer.
Don’t get discourage by that. Do your part to ask with no expectation. Do it for the sake of keeping the relationship with your granddaughter. Hopefully by the time she becomes adult, she will understand. I see many of the situations happened among friends. 🙂
Ah, yes, your words are very wise. Already her daughter, I think, understands that what the mother may think toward me is not necessarily reality. We don’t talk about it openly, of course, but my granddaughter does show affection and enthusiasm during my past two Christmas visits, and I do it mostly for her, so she’ll know she’s still part of our family for as long as she wants (my granddaughter). Thank you!
I think that’s all you can do. Ask to see her for Christmas and maybe one more occasion and just do it consistently. I waited for years to even got a chance to reconnect with Mercy. Then it took her a few more years to get to know me. So it’s worth trying to keep the communication going!!
Beautiful images Miriam, what a treat to visit this amazing place! I love the peace and silence in the landscape, there is such purity in snow and ice 😍😍
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua!! God Bless you Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Family members and Friends!!
May our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Sooo beautiful!! Your such a wonderful photographer Miriam! I know what you mean about the cold…here where I live when it’s cold, all use natives put jackets on. Tourists are walking around in shorts, especially the ‘snow birds’ hahaa.
What a beautiful experience;)
That’s something like one of my ‘habits’. I always wash my feet before I go to bed. I hate to wear socks to bed…feels binding. I’m such a free spirit! hahaaaaa
These pictures are just breathtaking, Miriam! What a blessing this had to be, and what a blessing that you shared them with us, thank you so much :):) God Bless you 🙂
We need God’s mercy and grace when the time comes. Right now the ocean level rises one inch a year. It may take thousands of years for the glacier to melt and flood the entire earth like in Noah’s days.
Thank you, Esther. I imagine it would be a complete silence if I were dropped in the middle of it. But it would be too cold for me to enjoy the quietness.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus.
No langage my rapture can tell.
I know that the Light of His Presence
Doth with me continually dwell. ❤
– Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It
The Showers of Blessings 
Nice, all of these photos are spreading the positive vibes. ❤
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Thank you so much! ❤
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Exquisite!
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Thank you so much for reading my post, Bette!
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Anchorage is beautiful, the city right up against the mountains. My cousin lives there! I have gone a couple of years (three years) in late October for a festival she holds for her friends, a sort of early Thanksgiving. That time of year, the sun does not rise until about 9:30 am, and it sets about 5:00 pm. It’s very ghostly, but I like it because it’s so quiet, almost no tourists (too bleak?) and the hotel rates are super-low. fun post!
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We went in early October. We went on a raft ride. The guide said there was no sun in November in his town. All the people move elsewhere during that time, just leave one person to guard the town. I can’t imagine having 24-hour darkness. Then when we watch the nature video last night about Alaska, the most north part has 24-hour sunlight during summer? I remember hearing people wearing mask and do different thing to help them sleep. Wow, different kind of life.
We are going back to Anchorage in mid-May and plan on going to Denali – that we missed last trip because the train stopped going after Labor Day.
We’re going to Portland the day before Valentine’s Day!
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Yes, we were also there right around the summer solstice a couple of years back for a family wedding. It was very strange to have the sun never go down. 🙂
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Did you get some sleep?
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Great question, Miriam! You know, I was there with my son (who is gone now), and it was happened to be on his birthday, though we were there for a family wedding (June 24). I remember I hadn’t remembered to bring a birthday card in all the commotion, so I decided to write him a letter expressing my love for him and telling him how proud I was of him and how much I valued our mom-son relationship. I remember when I gave it to him and he read it, he was incredibly touched, and I was happy I had done that. We were sitting up late into the night, talking, on that night when the sun didn’t go down. In the living room of the rented house, I remember looking out toward the West about 11:00 at night, seeing the sun and sky become slightly more orange-y, and then not changing. It was temping not to go to bed, because you just don’t realize how late it is, the natural light signals are all off. But about midnight, as it showed no signs of getting even slightly dark, we went to bed, and the rental house had darkout curtains on the windows, so we were able to sleep. 🙂 Thanks for asking!
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Oh, good to hear that you had such intimate and precious moment with your son. I know you go see your granddaughter sometimes. Did you daughter-in-law remarried?
I remember living in Portland, the houses have room-darkening blinds. They made the houses completely dark. The hotels in Las Vegas have those too with the never-off lights outside, the blinds are needed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so funny about Las Vegas. Yes, those casinos have such bright lights!
My DIL is in a relationship for 2 years now that she started in the year that my son died. To my knowledge they are not married but we don’t speak. She has been hateful toward me for over 2 years, since she moved in with the new partner, and she works actively to prevent me from learning her activities. It is very sad. Although she has caused me great pain, I actually feel sorry for her that she is in an emotional place where she feels she has to lash out at me every chance she can get. Recently a family member told me of a long rant on Facebook where she accused me of never asking for time to visit with my granddaughter, and of turning down her offers for visits. Which is puzzling and frustrating because I have begged for more time, and I am always refused. But then, her followers on Facebook all say, “oh, poor you, you’re so victimized” to her. And so she hears what she wants to hear. Sad that she has to live in that angry and victim place. It’s a horrible way to live. 🙂 Funny how I can be terribly hurt by her but also feel sorry for her. I’m trying just to live a good life (good in terms of decent and humane). And I am grateful for others’ support – thank you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can’t help it if that’s the life she chose to live with no intention to resolve her feelings. She’ll have peace only when she wants to get in touch with her feelings and tries to understand and eventually forgive and accept herself and people involved. If she doesn’t take any step toward healing, she’ll be miserable the rest of her life. Getting into another relationship won’t heal automatically. The sad thing is that the child will suffer.
Don’t get discourage by that. Do your part to ask with no expectation. Do it for the sake of keeping the relationship with your granddaughter. Hopefully by the time she becomes adult, she will understand. I see many of the situations happened among friends. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, yes, your words are very wise. Already her daughter, I think, understands that what the mother may think toward me is not necessarily reality. We don’t talk about it openly, of course, but my granddaughter does show affection and enthusiasm during my past two Christmas visits, and I do it mostly for her, so she’ll know she’s still part of our family for as long as she wants (my granddaughter). Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that’s all you can do. Ask to see her for Christmas and maybe one more occasion and just do it consistently. I waited for years to even got a chance to reconnect with Mercy. Then it took her a few more years to get to know me. So it’s worth trying to keep the communication going!!
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It’s so good to know you have made it through. I feel like we are in this together!
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Yes, it’s a good feeling to know that we’re not alone!
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And I’m so glad to hear you are going to Portland. How fun, getting to see Autumn again!
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Yes, this afternoon Mercy said Autumn had a growth spurt – gained height more than weight!
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How wonderful. So great when they’re thriving. 🙂
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Yes, Mercy organizes and re-organizes the clothes constantly, but she has fun doing that. 🙂
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Beautifully and majestically silent.
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Thank you so much, Pranitha. We’re going back to Alaska in May.
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Beautiful images Miriam, what a treat to visit this amazing place! I love the peace and silence in the landscape, there is such purity in snow and ice 😍😍
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It’s so true, Xenia. The snow give me a sense of innocence. I like to watch it in a distance. 🙂
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:o) xxx
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🙂 🙂
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Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua!! God Bless you Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Family members and Friends!!
May our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
I Love you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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Amen and Amen, Kristi!
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Sooo beautiful!! Your such a wonderful photographer Miriam! I know what you mean about the cold…here where I live when it’s cold, all use natives put jackets on. Tourists are walking around in shorts, especially the ‘snow birds’ hahaa.
What a beautiful experience;)
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Thank you, Linda. Yes, I know. I’m always cold so just try to keep warm!!
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Good luck with that in Alaska! Our Ca. bodies love the warmth!
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Yes, it’s a matter of getting used to it!!
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Boy it sure is…the other night my bones were freezing!
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I washed my freezing feet every night right before go to bed!
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Where are you? Your near aren’t you?
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I’m in Orange County.
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Your in same county as my granddaughter!!!
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Do you come to see her?
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My son usually comes out here a couple times a month. I offer. Of course he wants me to move closer….he’s gonna need a sitter/car pool, etc.
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That’s nice of him to visit you a couple times a month.
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I think he is worried about my driving…..I don’t know if that’s funny or not.
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It’s a good feeling that he thinks about your safety!!
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Yes, he’s a sweet guy, love him muchly!
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That’s something like one of my ‘habits’. I always wash my feet before I go to bed. I hate to wear socks to bed…feels binding. I’m such a free spirit! hahaaaaa
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I don’t wear socks to bed either. I used hot water bottle for my feet when I was a kid.
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;)))))
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🙂 🙂
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Hello Miriam! It’s beautiful. 🙂
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Thank you very much, Shikha! 🙂
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Beautiful photos 🙂
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Thank you so much, Steph!
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Love the pictures as well as your poem Miriam!
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Thank you, Meenakshi!
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A wonderful experience, Miriam. Your photograph and poem are beautiful.
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Thank you so much, Robbie.
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A great experience & fabulous photos Miriam
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Thank you so much. We know which months to go next time!
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Spectacular shots Miriam. So perfect to sit in solitude and soak in the pristine beauty!!
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Thank you so much, Radhika. I don’t mind to be alone in there for a while!!
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OMG, they are just breathtaking. Must have been much more than that seeing it live!
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Yes, especially taking that helicopter ride to go to the top of glacier. It’s almost more than I could absorb!
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Pingback: WPC: Silence | Lillie-Put
These pictures are just breathtaking, Miriam! What a blessing this had to be, and what a blessing that you shared them with us, thank you so much :):) God Bless you 🙂
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Thank you, Margaret. I don’t know what would happen with all the global warming. 😦
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You are most welcome, Miriam. I don’t know either.
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We need God’s mercy and grace when the time comes. Right now the ocean level rises one inch a year. It may take thousands of years for the glacier to melt and flood the entire earth like in Noah’s days.
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This was beautiful! Good thing you went when you did!
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Thank you so much. My husband wants to go back…
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what peace-more than a thousand words.
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Thank you, Michele. We’re so worried about the global warming these days.
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Hi Miriam. Alaska looks stunningly beautiful but too cold for me!
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I wouldn’t be able to live there, the cold as well as the daylight hours from 0-24 hours!
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Pingback: Silence – Street Light – What's (in) the picture?
Thank you.
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oh, my goodness! These are absolutely amazing photos! Wow. Just wow! ❤
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Thank you so much, we were glad to take the helicopter tide to see the view!
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Those are some really beautiful images
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Thank you, Esther. I imagine it would be a complete silence if I were dropped in the middle of it. But it would be too cold for me to enjoy the quietness.
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Yeah definitely 😅…can you imagine camping there…if it wasn’t all that cold
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Yes, we watched videos of mountain climbers climb Mount Everett, and camp in snow.
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Okay
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🙂
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WOW! Stunning! I praise God for photos!!! His wondrous beauty! ❤
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Yes, thank you, Gail. We only have a glimpse of the Almighty! 🙂
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Amen! Oh how I long to be in His glorious presence! ❤
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It would be forever joyous!
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It would indeed!
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For the mean time, we’ll do our best!
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Redeemed and so happy in Jesus.
No langage my rapture can tell.
I know that the Light of His Presence
Doth with me continually dwell. ❤
– Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It
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Amen, rejoice with you. 🙂
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That’s an excellent view of the glacier from the air! Our pilot did not fly that close!
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I know, My previous post included the helicopter. He landed very close to to the glacier!
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Oh. We took the plane, so no landing. Ah… should have opted for the helicopter!
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Yes, even the helicopter, the pilot could only land in a limited area!
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