Alaska - part 3

Tuesday we awoke in Haines, Alaska. 

Ft. Seward was established to keep peace during the gold rush. It was an active base during both world wars. 

We took an "Off the Beaten Path" tour. One of the highlights was getting to use this open air latrine. The owner called it a 'benjo'. The views were spectacular. 

Out his studio back door there was a gorgeous view of Rainbow Glacier, a hanging glacier. 

We tried some local brew while in Haines. 

Looking back toward the harbor in Haines. 

Wednesday we woke up in Juneau. 

First thing we did was ride the tram. My heart was pounding on the way up. Going down was much easier. 

Our glacier hike/whale tour was fantastic. Gorgeous views on the way up and back from the glacier viewing. 

On the whale boat. 

Fist we saw pods of Orcas. They showed off over and over. 

Next we located a humpback whale and her calf. We watched them breach multiple times. 

We saw sea lions playing 'king of the hill' on this buoy. 

Friday we landed in Ketchikan. It was very tourist-y. We walked around trying to find something of interest. 

Ketchikan from the boat. 

There were totems all around. 

We located Creek Street. This is the creek that gives it it's name. 

Creek Street was the red light district during the gold rush. 

Macho was slowing down. I didn't realize he was getting sicker by the minute. 

After lunch on the ship we took in a lumberjack show. It was a bit cheesy, but they really did all the expected log chopping and rolling that you imagine a lumberjack does. 

Back to the ship and Macho crashed with fever and chills. Saturday we sailed the inside passage. 

Not much to do that day except shop on the ship. 

We ate one last meal with our dinner friends and took in the last show of the week. 

Sunday we docked in Vancouver. It was an impressive harbor. 

Our instructions for getting off the ship were specific. We had no trouble. 

Our flights were on time. 

We spent Sunday night in Memphis because we arrived too late to drive home.

Monday made it back. Sick. But richer for the adventure.

Alaska - part 2

Alaska time was so different. Light until - well pretty much light all night in Fairbanks and Denali. Saturday we were up early. We boarded the train for Anchorage and enjoyed the gorgeous ride. The train was much more roomy and the windows allowed for great viewing.

Panoramic of train interior. 

Views from the train to Anchorage. 

Street scene in Anchorage. 

We had one night in Anchorage. We ate at a pricey restaurant and enjoyed a delicious fresh king salmon from the Copper River. Meager portion caused us to grab a slice of pizza before retiring to our hotel. Got up and attended Mass at the Cathedral practically next door to the hotel. Caught breakfast in a great local deli. Then back to hotel to wait for bus to train. 

On board for Seward to catch our ship. We went through tunnels and were up high in many places. We saw more wild life. One of the most impressive sights was just as we left Anchorage. There was a grass landing strip that bordered a neighborhood and an airplane in nearly every back yard! Wow!

Macho especially like this particular train ride. Photos just don't do it justice.

Frozen stream. 

Seeing the front of the train going around a curve.

Finally get to see our ship. The Noordam. 

Macho's pants set off the metal detector and then his ship card malfunctioned. He got it all straighten at Guest Services while I located our room. We started to unpack then went and grabbed a bite to eat before we had to attend mandatory muster for safety training. 

We slept better with curtains that blocked the light. 

Didn't get out of bed until 9:00 Monday morning. 

We packed the day with as many ship activities as we could since it was a day "at sea". 

We even attended tea at 3:00! 

We went to the Gala night in the dining hall and met some new friends...from Iowa. 

Tuesday we sailed our way to Glacier Bay. It was in the 30's that morning. It evened snowed for just a few minutes. We were layered up good. National park rangers boarded our ship that morning and we attended their program. After the park ranger spoke a native Tlingit interpreter spoke to us. She was very "in character" the entire time she was on ship. 

Paulette, our native Tlingit interpreter. 

The Marjorie Glacier "calved" for us many times. It makes a loud thunderous sound before it drops ice into the water. Then the water is full of little icebergs. 

Not all glaciers have names. 

That takes us through Tuesday... more in another episode. 

Alaska - part 1.

Drove to Memphis to catch flight, June 12. Flew Memphis to Denver to Fairbanks. Arrived late. Sun was still bright. These photos are from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...

Self explanatory.

Fairbanks airport. Late. 

Pike's Landing Hotel. A few Ididerods have "restarted" at this point. 

Fairbanks. 

Thursday got on a bus headed for Denali. With a few stops along the way...

River boat cruise on the Chena River. We saw a plane take off and land from the water. 

We visited the Athabaskan Indian village. It was well done.

Athabaskan Indian village. 

Several years ago two dead moose were found in a body of water with their horns locked.

It made national news. 

These are those same moose. Taxidermies.

Still at the Athabaskan village. 

Back on the bus. To Denali. 

From our window at the Chalet in Denali. 

No AC. This was probably 10:30 Thursday night. 

Obligatory cannabis store photo. Yes. I went in. No. I did not make a purchase. 

Friday in Denali National Park. 

Denali National Park. 

Denali National Park. 

Nenana River behind the McKinley Chalet Resort. 

The water was cold. 

By the Nenana.

The hill we climbed up and down to eat and visit the "square" at the Resort. 

This bee is busy.

Warm weather has not slowed my schedule. It has heated up and ramped up.

Last weekend we made a quick trip to the coast. Stay with Beach Boy and his girlies. I got to visit and play with some sibs. And on Sunday we celebrated a brother in law's retirement and birthday. It was all grand. 

Mach and the Beach Boy about to head out to the Farmer's Market. 

Miss P and Millie doing their "thang". 

Three of the seven sisters. There was some good after party porch sitting that happened on Sunday. The breeze was delicious and the mullet put on a jumping show. 

Got back in time on Monday to go to dance class. We celebrated teacher's birthday with cookie and a surprise mixed drink from our friend, Sadie. 

Tuesday, in celebration of National Garden Week, my friend and I provided a tree program for the YMCA campers. They were an attentive and polite audience. 

Check!

The week didn't slow down there. I ran from my dental appointment to a garden club planning meeting on Wednesday. 

I have a Sacristan training session in about and hour and a half.

I have to mention that 41 years ago at this moment I was in labor with my first born. 

It was a Tuesday.

She did not make her appearance until the wee hours of Wednesday morning. 

She is my heart beat. 

I can't even explain the joy. 

The love. 

Daughter.

Where did the years go?

Shalom.