63.0°

WASILLA - Life for Sarah Palin and her supporters began returning to a more normal pace a day after the election.

Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, was expected to arrive back at her Wasilla home late Wednesday after more than two months on the campaign trail.

She planned to be back at work in her Anchorage governor's office on Thursday.

She was traveling home from Phoenix, where she stood next to John McCain as he conceded the presidential race to Democrat Barack Obama late Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters in Arizona before leaving, Palin said she didn't believe her selection as McCain's running mate was a factor in their defeat.

She said nobody should give her that much credit. Instead, Palin said, voters were swayed by what she called a "woeful" economic situation.

But she said if she cost McCain even one vote, she's sorry - because she believes McCain is the definitive American hero, and that she "had believed that it was his time."

Meanwhile, Palin supporters started packing up Wednesday at the unofficial campaign headquarters office in Wasilla.

Lynn Gattis and Capi Coon loaded signs into trucks, and boxed up computers, printers, office supplies and even a fake plant with two U.S. flags stuck in its base before taking it all to storage.

However, they left up photo and newspaper displays until Palin can stop in and see the level of support her hometown gave her.

"Sarah's not done. This is just a kickoff," Coon said.

Melinda Williams, owner of JMJ Embroidery & Gifts in Wasilla, produced and sold hundreds of Palin T-shirts since Palin was named McCain's running mate on Aug. 29.

Williams said she still dozens left, which will be offered at a discounted price.

She said she soon will be making up new T-shirts saying "Palin in 2012."

"We'll have something cool," she said.

Williams said she thought area residents were shocked with the outcome of the presidential race, but "now I think we should still show our support for her, because she has done a lot for us, and we should welcome her home with open arms."

A new sign outside a Wasilla business Wednesday morning did just that. It read: "Good job, Sarah. We are proud of you. In God we trust."