You can walk on the runway?

The time had come and I was off to Alaska.  My flight in was uneventful.   I can't believe how stingy the airlines have become.  I had to pack a whole meal with me for a six hour flight.  Seven dollars for a small microwave meal, no thanks.  I was bound and determined not to have to pay for anything on a flight.  Flying use to be an event.  It seems now it is just a big money maker.  My first stop was Anchorage.  I met up with my uncle and his girlfriend.  It was nice to see my uncle, I hadn't seen him since I was 10.  I think we both had changed a little. :)  Then we were off to Wasilla.  We got to see a mom moose and her baby outside of my uncle's house.  Too cute!

Then I was headed off to Bethel to join my fellow new teachers.  We arrived at the airport and checked in.  I was ready with my slip off shoes and what I had to pull out of my bag for security check point.  Surprise!  No check point.  I just walked right up.  You can look out the window and see the small plane that I (think) I will be riding in.  Wait, are people just walking on the runway to get on the plane.  Yes, the plane arrived and we walked right on the runway to board.  They tell you to take only one carry on, but when I asked the lady at the front desk about it, she said keep them both or you will be charged extra.  Well when I got on the plane, I realized no overhead storage everything has to go under your seat.  No way my two, bulky carry on bags are going to fit.  I snuck the other one in the seat across from me and was hoping the pilot (no flight attendants) would not see.  Then they have some move from the back to the seat across from me.  Eek!  I grabbed my bag out and it just ended up under my feat.   After a short flight we arrived in Bethel.  I walked in the airport and was not quite sure where to go.  Hey where are the bags coming out and who am I suppose to be looking for?  I followed someone who looked like they knew what they were doing, then they just sat down in one of the seats.  Nice, great help buddy.  Finally after looking around I noticed a group of people (they look they might be teachers) and we went over to pick up our bags from this slide.