It all began on the quiet morning of March 26, 2007 along a deserted highway leading south from Fairbanks.  The Baragon family was driving south to the capital area in order to catch a ferry headed to Washington, mainland USA. Ten-year-old Buff was peacefully sleeping in the back seat. Next to her was her younger brother, nicknamed Mr. B, who was too excited to sleep and was busy asking innumerable questions, unknowingly serving to keep his dad awake while driving. The freshly-cleared snow along the endless highway was lined with tall pine trees. The constant dull drone of the car engine threatened to lull Mr. B to sleep, when, suddenly, the huge pounding feet of Godzilla blocked all lanes of the highway, jerking everyone to wide-eyed wakefulness. Quick-thinking Buff grabbed her camera and captured a shot before Godzilla disappeared into the forest. The children, tossed between fear and amazement, were quietly calmed by their mom. The trip continued, ever so cautiously.

The journey continued uneventfully for hours. The Baragons were feeling relief in the absence of further sightings of Godzilla as they neared Sitka. But the relief was short lived. The family had pulled off to the side of the road to check the roof carrier when feared gripped them again. As Buff and Mr. B were outside the car stretching their legs, an unsettling vibration was felt under foot. At first, Mr. B asked Buff "You feel that?" As the ground movement became more intense, Buff asked Mr. B "You hear that?" In unison, they both snapped their eyes to the snow brushed hill ahead, in time to see Godzilla looming behind the hill and approaching in a zigzag pattern, crossing their path in the distance. The family, frozen in a mix of fear and awe, simply watched Godzilla disappear, again, into the forest, but not before Buff snapped another photo of Godzilla. Cautiously, ever so cautiously, the Baragons continued on their journey, exchanging ideas as to how and why Godzilla would be moving south, just as they had been.

As the Baragon family finally pulled into Ketchikan for the night, they were still feeling tense and concerned that Godzilla may be following their path. They navigated to their hotel, located across the street from the downtown hostel  and adjacent restaurant. The thought of a warm meal and a cozy bed soothed their nerves.  Buff and Mr. B had mostly forgotten all about Godzilla as they busily toted their luggage behind them and settled into the reserved room. After checking out the television reception and room amenities, they all eagerly walked across the street to the restaurant. The Baragons finished a casual meal and were feeling a peaceful relaxation after a long, tense and tiring day. With stomachs full and minds slightly dulled and sleepy, they ambled back to the hotel for a deep, much-needed slumber. But as the Baragons crossed the threshold into their hotel room, their contentment was swiftly stolen away by an eardrum-splitting groink ,blasting at them from across the street. Within seconds, Godzilla laid waste both the hostel and restaurant, the very place they had just eaten a peaceful meal together. After terrifying the entire downtown area, Godzilla left, as quickly as he had come. Indeed, was Godzilla following the Baragons, stalking them all the way from Fairbanks to Ketchikan?? But why?

Authorities were thrown into a frenzy of activity as their phone lines jammed with numerous sightings of Godzilla. The police dispersed in all directions, but none uncovered any evidence of Godzilla. Amid the commotion, the Baragons could think of nothing else to do but to spend a sleepless night in their room until morning. All they wanted to do was to get to the ferry, get away from Godzilla and get out of Alaska!

The final sighting of Godzilla came in the wake of the ferry as the Baragons left Alaska. Godzilla, oblivious to the cold Arctic waters,  had chased the ferry for a couple of miles and then surprisingly stopped and watched, as the ferry continued on. Godzilla belched out several loud groinks, as if celebrating a victory at seeing the ferry "flee" away from Alaska.

Without question, Godzilla seemed to have been following the Baragons. But what could one say about Godzilla's apparent stalking? Why would he be such a bully like that to the Baragons? A shocking answer came as Buff and Mr. B googled "godzilla" on their laptop the next day. A link to "enemies of Godzilla" led to the answer. Named along with the terrifying likes of Mothra, Gigan, King Childora, Anguirus and Megalon was none other than Baragon! In Godzilla's marble-sized brain, he viewed this innocent family as one of his enemies and literally chased them out of Alaska. What do the Baragons say about this? The last word we heard from them was "good riddance!"

Now you know the rest of the story. A lingering question remains, however - where in the world will Godzilla strike next? Only time will tell.

Photo credits go to Buff