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I think I’ll make this the last blog related to the Alaskan cruise. Thanks for your patience! Our last stop in Alaska was Skagway, a charming little town, the gateway to the Yukon during the gold rush days. We took a train 20 miles to the top of the pass that leads into Canada, but that’s not what I want to write about. It’s when we came back into town that I had my surprise:

A 1960 Metropolitan!

Who cares, you say? I do. I learned to drive on one of those. My first was a 1957 model, which we later traded in on a 1960 model, same as the one that lives in Skagway, except mine wasn’t a convertible. Otherwise, just the same, red on top, white on the bottom. The main difference between the ’57 and the ’60 was that the trunk was accessible from the outside on the ’60, instead of only through the back seat. It’s only the second one I’ve seen in the past 50 years.

I’m not a car guy, but I guess there’s something special about the car you learn to drive on, especially when it’s that cute and you don’t see one very often.

I’m amazed even now at how excited I was when I saw the car. I dragged the other eight people in our group out to see it: “I learned to drive on one of these!” I said at least three times.

There’s no real significance to any of this except it’s one of those little surprises (astonishments?) and joyful moments that God provides from time to time, and I am grateful. And Mark was thoughtful enough to grab the picture of me with the car.

Of course, Mark provided the whole experience. We always said that we had no desire to go on a cruise, but if we were going to take one, it would be to Alaska. So it happened. After we got back, I was reading about our particular ship, the Star Princess, and there was a fire on board back in 2006. So like any other travel, there are things that can go wrong. But nothing did.

Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Lord.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you… (Romans 1.8, compare also 1 Corinthians 1.3, Philippians 1.3, Colossians 1.3)

Rejoice always…In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5.16, 18, NKJV)

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! (Psalm 107.1, ESV)