Alaska

Hey all!

We've been back just shy of a week and I am finally getting around to blogging. I'm waiting for The Man to return with gas for the mowers so I can get to mowing the weed patch that is our lawn.

Alaska was spectacular! Wow - It actually filled my heart and made me want to cry to see some of the beautiful scenery. At the same time it made me sad to turn my camera to the back of the ship and see the blue diesel fuel exhaust we were leaving in our trail.

We went snorkeling (yes snorkeling), zip lining, glacier trekking, horseback riding, canoing, and train riding. Shopping of course, because we were after all on a cruise and besides the money they get from you up front they make money from you by owning shops at the ports of call.

Speaking of Ports of Call, Skagway was our favorite. Skagway was the entrance into the gold rush in the Yukon. At that port N and I got on a bus and drove over the border into British Columbia and on into the Yukon. We stopped at a family ranch and canoed in a glacier fed lake, had a delicious home-made lunch and then rode horse back. Even though we were on trail horses we had a wonderful time. How could we not? We rode next to a rushing river and over abandoned train rails, and up and down hills. All amongst the beauty of the Yukon as seen in the picture above!

Our first stop was Ketchikan Alaska. We all went snorkeling. The water was about 45 degrees so we donned wet suits. Not an easy task at all. The snorkeling was worth it though as we got to see some beautiful star fish and sea cucumbers. Of course fish as well. The water was a bit murky but they had just come off of 5 days of sunshine. A rare occurance in Ketchikan as they are the fourth wettest spot on the planet. Who knew? They get no snow, just rain and lots of it.

In Juneau S and I went zip lining. Zip lining consists of climbing up a hill (or 4-wheeling it up as we did) and then harnessing into straps etc. You then attach your straps and pulleys to a heavy cable, sit down and ride the cable to the next tree perch. Most of the perches were about 100 feet off the air and the longest zip was approx. 750 feet. We zipped over caves, an abandoned mine and next to the bay. N and The Man took a helicopter to a glacier and trekked on it. Their trip was to be 3 hours long but due to fog they were gone at least 6. They even thought they might have to camp over!

At Prince Rupert British Columbia I enjoyed the local shops. There were no cruise line owned shops there so it was still a quaint town. They had a few local artisan shops that I really enjoyed.

Cruising was an interesting experience. We had never been on a cruise before and I had always wanted to try it. It's not something we will likely do again. We are country born and bred, and going on vacation with 1500 people at close quarters is really not our cup of tea. The food was good as it is on all cruises, and they waited on you hand and foot, which was a nice change. S enjoyed it the most. She went swimming EVERY day. EVERY ONE! Even when it was 58 degrees and sprinkling, she insisted on being in the pool. And why not?

Ooohh - and Seattle. Another first for the girls and I! We had never been to Seattle before. Instead of the traditional ride up the space needle I convinced the family to go on a harbor cruise. I had gone on one in Chicago with my diva sisters and it ranks as one of the best ideas ever. This was the same. We got to see the port of Seattle, hear about it's history etc etc. We also went to Pike Place the famous market. It was very entertaining. N convinced us to head down to the original Starbucks as well where she got a frappaccino and a mug. (teenager to the extreme)

Over all it was everything and more than I expected, truly the trip of a lifetime.