Took the Plunge

Couldn't leave Alaska without taking the polar bear plunge. I'm the second on the left. Cold salty and not too bad.
Last night on the boat, a little sad. Great friends and crew and a week of amazing weather. Hit the trifecta. Disembarking with grateful goodbyes. Spent the day in Sitka where we were able to experience real Alaska weather (cool and rainy)and the seafood fest parade.
Amazing trip, not sure if we could ever top it.
On to Seattle then home sweet home where we'll look at each other and go ... Were we in Alaska?

Last day on the boat

Each day is better than the last. Packing it all in. The crew has been amazing. Yesterday skiffiing and bush whacking again. I think the bush whacking Is our favorite. Today had a 3 hour kayak trip through island passages. Getting closer to Sitka and home. This afternoon another skiff ride and then I'm considering the polar bear plunge!!!! Well see. Can't leave Alaska passing that up!

Got the FOMO disease

They say there is a disease here that is catchy called FOMO and I believe we have it. It's the dreaded disease called Fear of Missing Out. With all the activities offered hard to miss a beat. Yesterday we claimed a ridge to the top of a glacier field and then saw it calve and then kayaked running slalom through ice chunks. Today was skiff riding kayaking and bush whacking. Have to say bush whacking was pretty fun as we whacked our way through dense rainforest like brush yelling "hey bear" luckily no bear tonite cruising down through Icy Straight hoping to catch bear at a safer distance like on the shore. Did I mention the weather has been amazingly warm and sunny and happy birthday Don. How many people can say they bushwhacked on their birthday?

Round every Bend

Not sure when this will get posted as we don't have "service"it's of the time. A good thing
Small boat "uncruise" is the way to go as we can get into smaller areas. It's Tuesday and exploring Glacier Bay National Park. Hiked a tropical rain forest yesterday. Now have a ranger on board Cruising north and many opportunities for wildlife sittings around every corner... Have seen black bear, puffins, whales, mountain goats, orca, sea lions....lady night we were mesmerized by Marjerie Glacier powerful nature. Today it's a ridge hike (yikes) and glacier kayaking.
Pictures 1) no need to explain. 2) bald eagle in tree 3) sunbathing sea lions. 4) Marjerie Glacier. 5) Alaska beauty

First night, first sights

On the boat and loving it. Word to describe it - funky. We were told our path is decided by wind whales and whimsy. Sounds good. Had first whale sightings. Besides the massiveness the sounds were amazing Not sure when if the sun ever set last night but light was greeting us at 3:30 am. Off to a day of adventure.

North to Alaska

Made it to Juneau and ready to board our "un-cruise" as they are calling it Juneau is small and funky with mountains and water all around. Here is our boat and NOT our boat Not sure what our connections will be We're off

Lots of Cool Colors

Played tourist today taking in the attractions. These dahlias are from one of the neighborhood community gardens all over Seattle. Then on to the Garden and Glass exhibit by Dale Chihuly by the Space Needle. Amazing glass sculptures. Very cool

Sweeter Than Sweet

Went on a walking tour of Seattle today. Amazing city. Best was to see a new place. Lots of hidden wonderful finds. This is the famous Fran's chocolate shop. Their chocolates are served at White House dinners. Sooo unbelievable. And this is a picture if Fran's granddaughter and guess what it's made out of..... All chocolates!!! Sweet!

Best Laid Plans

So Don sets up a shuttle ride to airport days In advance. He double checks the night before. So we wait and wait and no show. We hop in the car to a hotel and grab a cab. Tension mounts. $$$$$ later we arrive with an hour to spare. And we're off!

Pack Lite?!?!

Not sure if this is light or not. Will see once I bring out the suitcase. Seeing tomorrow is departure day, better get on it!

REI, an Adventure in Itself

A little over a week away until take off... we will be going to Seattle first and then on to Juneau.

So what better prep is there than to go shopping. Even though shopping isn't my passion, having the right "stuff" does help to make one feel a bit more prepared. (perhaps sitting long enough to read would be a good preparation activity and cheaper) So REI has everything one could want and with Don giving me a gift card for my birthday last March, I was ready... except...... couldn't find the card. Made my purchases at the REI nearest my home. Went home and searched. No luck. Next day, downtown to the BIG REI and asked them to lock the card and put an inquiry on it. Home again and wala.... the card falls out of my Alaska documents. Sometimes my organization amazes me. So then, return all items and then repurchase with the card. I had a great clerk who liked a great challenge and she said my transaction made her day.
Hopefully my adventures in Alaska, will be a little less frustrating than my REI adventure.