Well, we got everything into our 4 bags and 3 carryons, made it through the Westjet weigh-in (although 1 bag was exactly 50 pounds!) and had 2 short, pleasant flights home. Mom, Dena and Jason met us at the airport and now we're home, safe and sound, tired but happy.
What a trip. Wow. It is hard to believe that we were really there--we'll have to look at the pictures to be sure! Some places and experiences we want to go back and do again, but others we'd avoid. People were friendly everywhere we went. Travel has meant so much to us--helped/made us grow. Now, on to plan the next trip!!!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Ketchikan
Ketchikan is a cityof 10,000 (14,000 in the summer) on the shore of the inside passage. It is only accessable by sea or air, has 26 miles of road and thousands of cars. 1 in 7 people has a pilot's license, everyone owns at least one boat and usually a quad or snowmobile.
We got off the ship this morning soon after it docked and I (Laurel) decided to take a float plane trip to Misty Fjords National Monument. It is a unique mountainous area that is awesomely beautiful. We flew over mountains, frozen lakes, and stunning scenery. We landed on the fjord and got a chance to see it up close by getting out and standing on the floats...took me back to my north country past for sure! Michael was a little reluctant but was as awed as the rest of us on the plane ( a DeHavilland Beaver, the safest plane in the world!) We were out for 2 1/2 hours and could easily have stayed for more. Earlier it rained so we were not sure how the visibility would be but the sun came out and it was beautiful. They get 13.5 FEET of rain per year so trees grow in logged out areas without reforestation. After our flight we walked around downtown and visited the Alaska Interpretive centre...very interesting and a timber frame, stunning building. We went to the old red light district, called Creek Street, which is now cute shops and pubs.
We are on our last sea day tomorrow so will be busy trying to fit everything into our suitcases.....may not be possible! Looking forward to be home and see everyone!!
Laurel and Michael
We got off the ship this morning soon after it docked and I (Laurel) decided to take a float plane trip to Misty Fjords National Monument. It is a unique mountainous area that is awesomely beautiful. We flew over mountains, frozen lakes, and stunning scenery. We landed on the fjord and got a chance to see it up close by getting out and standing on the floats...took me back to my north country past for sure! Michael was a little reluctant but was as awed as the rest of us on the plane ( a DeHavilland Beaver, the safest plane in the world!) We were out for 2 1/2 hours and could easily have stayed for more. Earlier it rained so we were not sure how the visibility would be but the sun came out and it was beautiful. They get 13.5 FEET of rain per year so trees grow in logged out areas without reforestation. After our flight we walked around downtown and visited the Alaska Interpretive centre...very interesting and a timber frame, stunning building. We went to the old red light district, called Creek Street, which is now cute shops and pubs.
We are on our last sea day tomorrow so will be busy trying to fit everything into our suitcases.....may not be possible! Looking forward to be home and see everyone!!
Laurel and Michael
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Juneau
We--well, Michael...--were a bit slower getting mobile today--so, onshore for about 9:30. We took the tram up the mountain beside Juneau for a really great view of the town and the ship channel and the airport and mountains in the far distance. The tram is a biggie--40 people-- that goes almost straight up for 4 minutes. The weather was again perfect--sunny, clear, a gentle breeze and warm.
After the tram, we walked to the Alaska Museum and had a good look around. Lots of coastal First Nations items, plus a good section on the Russians in Alaska. We went many repeat many! steps up the side of a hill to catch the end of the main street in Juneau, and then walked down to the ship, stopping and shopping along the way. We missed the Governor's House by a block, but some folks we talked with said that Sarah Palin was in the window waving at them. We did not feel a great sense of loss...
We're leaving now--4:15 local--on the way to Ketchikan, so will blog after that.
After the tram, we walked to the Alaska Museum and had a good look around. Lots of coastal First Nations items, plus a good section on the Russians in Alaska. We went many repeat many! steps up the side of a hill to catch the end of the main street in Juneau, and then walked down to the ship, stopping and shopping along the way. We missed the Governor's House by a block, but some folks we talked with said that Sarah Palin was in the window waving at them. We did not feel a great sense of loss...
We're leaving now--4:15 local--on the way to Ketchikan, so will blog after that.
Skagway
What a neat place!
We got off the ship and straight onto the White Pass and Yukon Railway train. Powered by a older diesel--they have 2 working steam engines, but they are only used for weekend trips--there were about a dozen old passenger cars. This is a 3 foot narrow guage railway, but we had lots of room. The trip is awesome. The average grade is 2.6%, but it is quite a bit steeper in spots! And, the track itself is built into the side of the cliffs with tremendous drops over the edges. There is only one wooden trestle left, but it is a high one--lots of good pictures. There were a couple of spots where we think we could see the "Trail of '98"--but it was covered in snow. And, at the top, there is a replica of the RNWMP post.
(There were 2 Gold Rush routes--from Dyea over the Chilcoot Trail (shorter, but tougher) and from Skagway over the White Pass (longer, but easier--they used pack horses). From what we could see, the White Pass route was still darned tough!)
Then, we wandered around Skagway. Although the roads are paved, the "sidewalks" are still boardwalks. The town has a very small winter population that doubles for the tourist season. We went to a few museums--one big one and a few smaller exhibits. And wandered the town just absorbing the sunshine and the place, and a beer, to be truthful!
Then, we went for a swim and a hottub in the outdoor pool--it was really nice weather.
We got off the ship and straight onto the White Pass and Yukon Railway train. Powered by a older diesel--they have 2 working steam engines, but they are only used for weekend trips--there were about a dozen old passenger cars. This is a 3 foot narrow guage railway, but we had lots of room. The trip is awesome. The average grade is 2.6%, but it is quite a bit steeper in spots! And, the track itself is built into the side of the cliffs with tremendous drops over the edges. There is only one wooden trestle left, but it is a high one--lots of good pictures. There were a couple of spots where we think we could see the "Trail of '98"--but it was covered in snow. And, at the top, there is a replica of the RNWMP post.
(There were 2 Gold Rush routes--from Dyea over the Chilcoot Trail (shorter, but tougher) and from Skagway over the White Pass (longer, but easier--they used pack horses). From what we could see, the White Pass route was still darned tough!)
Then, we wandered around Skagway. Although the roads are paved, the "sidewalks" are still boardwalks. The town has a very small winter population that doubles for the tourist season. We went to a few museums--one big one and a few smaller exhibits. And wandered the town just absorbing the sunshine and the place, and a beer, to be truthful!
Then, we went for a swim and a hottub in the outdoor pool--it was really nice weather.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay is a long--53mile--fjord-like National Park at the BC/Alaska border, just west of Skagway. We arrived at the entrance at about 8:30--we saw otters and many spouts, whales and orcas!!! After picking up the Park Rangers, we sailed along the Bay to the end, where Marjorie and Grand Pacific Glaciers meet the Bay. Marjorie advances 5 feet per day and so calves of lots of ice into the water. We saw a few pieces (size is hard to tell--the glacier front is 75 meters tall and 1 km wide, and we're about 600 meters away) fall off. You catch a glimpse of motion in the corner of your eye, hear a great crack--sort of like thunder--like when an ice cube explodes in your glass, times 200--and see the splash. Quite amazing. Grand Pacific Glacier comes down from Canada--the border is just a few hundred meters back in from the water. Its not moving as fast as Marjorie, and is black because of rocks and silt and the like. We were maybe 3/4 of a mile off the end of it--and saw a brown bear on the edge of the glacier.
We sailed back a bit to Lamplugh Glacier--the water off the end of the Glacier was just white with floating ice pieces--big and small. And in the background of all this are snow covered mountains--the Fairweather Range at 15,000 feet plus, the Saint Elias Range, the Alseks and the Takhinsha Mountains. Just beautiful--for the second day in a row, words fail. The weather is perfect--bright blue sky, about 5 C, only a breeze. We are very lucky!!!
We are sailing back down Glacier Bay towards the entrance now. There will be another hour or so of good whale watching later, so hopefully we will see more...
Tomorrow, Skagway and the White Pass and Yukon Railway trip, so we'll blog after that for sure.
We sailed back a bit to Lamplugh Glacier--the water off the end of the Glacier was just white with floating ice pieces--big and small. And in the background of all this are snow covered mountains--the Fairweather Range at 15,000 feet plus, the Saint Elias Range, the Alseks and the Takhinsha Mountains. Just beautiful--for the second day in a row, words fail. The weather is perfect--bright blue sky, about 5 C, only a breeze. We are very lucky!!!
We are sailing back down Glacier Bay towards the entrance now. There will be another hour or so of good whale watching later, so hopefully we will see more...
Tomorrow, Skagway and the White Pass and Yukon Railway trip, so we'll blog after that for sure.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Anchorage, Whittier and College Fjord
We awoke yesterday docked in Whittier, Alaska. Customs and Immigration were a breeze, and we picked up the Avis Rent-a-Car, and friends Willy and Cori, and headed off through the longest combined rail-traffic tunnel in North America--just over 2 miles. Neat! And on into Anchorage--a bit over an hour driving along the seashore--Turnagain Arm and Cook Inlet--with snowcapped mountains everywhere around. Gorgeous doesn't even begin to describe...
We dropped of Willy and Cori at the airport and went downtown. It was the first Farmer's Market of the year for Anchorage, so we did lots of wandering and some buying. Think big fleamarket with probably 200 booths selling whatever, and food tents too! Wandered through the downtown area and generally, were on LAND. This made Laurel very happy!!!! Didn't have to do anything, just not be on the ship. Back to Whittier and wandered around a bit--a small place--170 full-time residents--with the dock and some infrastructure built by Princess. Before the 1964 earthquake, there were some 1200 residents--it hasn't recovered from the military pulling out and the earthquake. But it is charming, nonetheless.
This morning was College Fjord, with its many glaciers, all named after colleges--Yale Glacier, Harvard Glacier, etc.. The weather was perfect and we got many pictures. Sadly, there is no way that they can capture the true beauty and grandeur of the location. Simply stupendous. Lots of "bergy bits" and "growlers" floating in the water, some sea otters swimming around, the glaciers and the mountains, the clear, cold air and warmpth of the sun--just filled your senses. Thumbs up for Captain Dino getting us there and the weather for cooperating.
Thats all for now. Will keep you posted!
We dropped of Willy and Cori at the airport and went downtown. It was the first Farmer's Market of the year for Anchorage, so we did lots of wandering and some buying. Think big fleamarket with probably 200 booths selling whatever, and food tents too! Wandered through the downtown area and generally, were on LAND. This made Laurel very happy!!!! Didn't have to do anything, just not be on the ship. Back to Whittier and wandered around a bit--a small place--170 full-time residents--with the dock and some infrastructure built by Princess. Before the 1964 earthquake, there were some 1200 residents--it hasn't recovered from the military pulling out and the earthquake. But it is charming, nonetheless.
This morning was College Fjord, with its many glaciers, all named after colleges--Yale Glacier, Harvard Glacier, etc.. The weather was perfect and we got many pictures. Sadly, there is no way that they can capture the true beauty and grandeur of the location. Simply stupendous. Lots of "bergy bits" and "growlers" floating in the water, some sea otters swimming around, the glaciers and the mountains, the clear, cold air and warmpth of the sun--just filled your senses. Thumbs up for Captain Dino getting us there and the weather for cooperating.
Thats all for now. Will keep you posted!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Sea Days, Whales, and North America
We are on the last of a series of SEVEN Sea days. I can not imagine the early explorers not setting foot on dry land for months at a time! We get fed, watered, entertained and have chocolates on the pillow at night.....and I am stir crazy. Mike, however could cheerfully wander the globe as long as he has his daily dose of Internet!
The Diamond Princess is a lovely ship. The dining rooms are all different and beautiful. We have met some very nice and friendly people, with whom we will probably keep in touch. Last night was formal night and we got all gussied up and had our picture taken (several times) and some even turned out! We have enjoyed having a window...hope to see even more duing the trip down the Inside Passage. Apparently there have been whales sighted, as well as puffins, albatross, and little birds called shearwaters.
Tonight we pick up our pilot at Seward and will be able to see glaciers...looking froward to that....Talk to you from Alaska, USA, NORTH AMERICA!
The Diamond Princess is a lovely ship. The dining rooms are all different and beautiful. We have met some very nice and friendly people, with whom we will probably keep in touch. Last night was formal night and we got all gussied up and had our picture taken (several times) and some even turned out! We have enjoyed having a window...hope to see even more duing the trip down the Inside Passage. Apparently there have been whales sighted, as well as puffins, albatross, and little birds called shearwaters.
Tonight we pick up our pilot at Seward and will be able to see glaciers...looking froward to that....Talk to you from Alaska, USA, NORTH AMERICA!
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