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.