12. Flying Home

Departing a place where you've just spent several enlightening, memorable, and (most importantly) fun months is never easy. But it does help to have with you an overweight eagle with a lighthearted sense of humor, to help improve group morale. E'Gull used his charm to make some new friends at the terminal. ("Well lookie there! What an adorable fat eagle!")





On the plane, Fluffy found that she no longer had as much leg space on this flight as she had before. She now had a roly-poly eagle to squeeze in next to. But she was glad to have the extra company.


Fluffy reflected upon how much fun she'd had in Alaska, and when the flight attendants came down the aisle with airline credit card applications, Fluffy was slightly tempted as she looked over the form. But then her friend asked her if she had good credit and she responded brightly, "Well, I think I am well appreciated, if that's what you mean. Yes, people give me credit for things all the time. Hosting fabulous dance parties, being a good spider hunter, winning at monopoly..."

It was clear that Fluffy was probably not the best candidate for this credit card.


Since Tubby E'Gull had spent all of his life in Alaska, he was very excited to experience new parts of the world! Fluffy told him all about Colorado, and by the time they were at the airport he could barely wait to meet Rocky Mountain eagles. He might even get to know a golden eagle or two!

Fluffy, on the other hand, was more excited to look out the plane at other new places that she might get to visit someday. Peering out at the long finger inlets of British Columbia, she envisioned another kayaking trip. Or...maybe she would rent a party boat and have a Canadian-style dance party on board. She wasn't sure what "Canadian-style" meant in terms of dance parties, but she looked forward to finding out.