Palin's parents surprised by vice president nomination
Originally published Friday, August 29, 2008 at 8:14 a.m.
Updated Friday, August 29, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.
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ANCHORAGE -- If not for flooding at a remote creek, Chuck and Sally Heath might have found out by radio that their daughter, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, had been picked by John McCain to be his GOP running mate.
High water Thursday kept the Heaths from reaching their gold mine, which they use as a camp to hunt caribou.
They returned home, intending to drop in Friday at the Alaska State Fair, where their daughter was scheduled to take part in the ceremonial launch of the Alaska commemorative quarter with the assistant director of the U.S. Mint.
Those plans went out the window with the announcement that Palin, a first-term governor, social conservative and new mother, had been thrust into the national spotlight by McCain.
"Holy cow. I'm just kind of speechless on the whole thing," said Chuck Heath, a elementary school science teacher, told The Associated Press.
In hindsight, he said Friday morning, he should have known something was up.
Alaska's first gentleman, Todd Palin, called him as he and Sally Heath drove to the remote camp behind Gunsight Mountain, 56 miles northeast of Palmer, which is far from a cell phone connection.
"He didn't know we were going hunting," Heath said.
Todd Palin told him to listen to the radio.
"He said, 'Make sure you listen to the news from hunting camp.' I should have put two and two together," Heath said, because he knew McCain was going to make an announcement.
When they couldn't cross Caribou Creek on four-wheelers, they headed back to Wasilla and reached their home at midnight.
The phone rang at 4 a.m. Friday. A friend from Atlanta was on the line, noting the buzz that Palin was the McCain's likely vice presidential pick.
Heath said he tried Palin's various phone numbers and could not reach his daughter. That was a clear signal she had flown to Ohio to meet McCain.
"I would bet she's back there," Heath said before the announcement.
With only a few hours sleep, and with the phone ringing constantly at his home, he remained bemused by the commotion.
"I'd rather go moose hunting than be involved with politics," he said, but he supports his daughter.
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Gold mine also used as a hunting camp? What's up w/that? and how do I get such a thing?
SKINFISH, WHY NOT WITH THAT? STAKE SOME CLAIMS, WORK THEM, MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN A GOOD HUNTING AREA.
skinfish,
read the mining law of 1872, and stake away
what are you new here? or what?
Overheard in Dayton, OH
Hey,
Sarah... Call your Mom and Dad!
LOL
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Heath!
I would rather go moose hunting as well. As long as the current vice president doesn't come! Congrats to the First Parents, you both did good!
Remember this day August 29,2008, will go down in History , and what a nice choice Senator Mccain made, there will be two senators returning to the Senate Next January, there names are Obama, and Biden, so long.Congratulations to a deserving person.
My anger is subsiding to total disappointment in Sara!
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