Archive for the ‘Alaska’ Category

Week of Sailing

Friday, August 12th, 2016
Bon Voyage!

                    Bon Voyage!

We had an amazing week with friends and family among 3000 other guests as we sailed into Alaska from Seattle.  Our group was 17 and we had family from New York, Colorado, San Jose as well as many friends from home.  It was definitely the way to celebrate my birthday.

The boat was lots of fun, with the expected entertainment, food choices, and amazing care in the cabin.  We were all grouped together so the halls were a bit noisy and the balconies were a place to visit your neighbor even if it was 6 am – there were whales!  and icebergs, and a few bald eagles.  We didn’t want anyone to miss the excitement (or was it we were awake so why shouldn’t our friends)!  One evening we had a pesky towel man that would not turn the TV off!

Next time I want the private room, please

Next time I want the private room, please

We ate too much, tried to exercise but the activities never end so it is really easy to say “run in circles on the track (1/9th of a mile long) or go play bingo!  We played lots of card games,  had a little survey test to get to know our friends better,  sang a little Karoke!  I found out Nick (son-in-law) can really ROCK it!  We saw the shows, drank a few drinks of the day, learned how to put an outfit together from others suitcases when someones suitcase didn’t make it until day 3 –  thats a long story!  We sat in the hot tub reminiscing, sun catching and of course a lot of sightseeing!  We saw whales off the boat; a porcupine, a couple of bears, salmon swimming upriver, and some bald eagles.

We took a tour of the Glacier and a waterfall; we rode the train that was the same route for the Gold Rush in Alaska; Ziplining in British Columbia; and a PediCab ride around Victoria.  The weather was pretty good, one rainy day in Skagway where we found you can still get condoms for $1!,  the beer is $8.  The seas were calm and no one got sick or lost, except for those 3 suitcases.

Formal, Captains night!  We actually got everyone in the photo!

Formal, Captains night! We actually got everyone in the photo!

Setting sail,  Stephanie, Amy, Judy, Arlene, Cindy, Nick Me, Paul

Setting sail, Stephanie, Amy, Judy, Arlene, Cindy, Nick Me, Paul

Mendenhall Glacier outside of Juneau

Mendenhall Glacier outside of Juneau

The trail to Mendenhall.  Why would you want to hike on the Bear Trail?

The trail to Mendenhall. Why would you want to hike on the Bear Trail?

Yep, it was a little chilly on the walk to the Glacier

Yep, it was a little chilly on the walk to the Glacier

Mendelhall Glacier

Mendelhall Glacier, and my girls!  

Swimming Salmon.  Near Mendelhall Glacier

Swimming Salmon. near Mendelhall Glacier

Dinner wit the whole gang, I think!

Dinner wit the whole gang, I think!

Whitehorse Train

Whitehorse Train

Looking to the harbor where our Ship was docked from our Train

Looking to the harbor where our Ship was docked from our Train

Warming up on deck after a day in Skagway

Warming up on deck after a day in Skagway

Glacier, we sailed right up to this one.  We were less than a 1/2 mile from it.  Saw a couple chunks break off.

Glacier, we sailed right up to this one. We were less than a 1/2 mile from it. Saw a couple chunks break off.

Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor

Monkey Tree,  It looked fake, almost like a tiny cell tower!  We saw several so I guess they were real

Monkey Tree, It looked fake, almost like a tiny cell tower! We saw several so I guess they were real

I think this guy has my donut!  It probably looks better on him after 6 days of overeating and never missing dessert!

I think this guy has my donut! It probably looks better on him after 6 days of overeating and never missing dessert!

Another wonderful memory.  Sharing it with my friends and family was the best part of the whole week (and a couple chocolate cakes with vanilla ice cream).  Can’t wait to get home and see everyone again.