Alaska! 2019

This was a trip.  THE trip.  It was a trip that was talked about over and over.  Johnny really wanted to go to Alaska.  Unfortunately, he passed away before he could make the trip.  So, to celebrate who he was/is to us, we all went.

Attendees: Cheryl, Ed, Mom, Me, John, Atticus, Pete and Judy.  Meeting us there: Cruz, Norma and Sandra.

So let me introduce you to the "gang".  You know all of us but we have new-comers.  Cruz Gomez and my mom have know each other since they were in grade school.  Before Johnny passed, he and Cruz were an "item".  They were so cute together!  Norma is Cruz's daughter.  There are three others but they were not able to make the trip.  Sandra is Norma's wife.  Love these people!

The itinerary was pretty amazing.  It's one of my goals (personal) to go to all the states.  I have to admit, Alaska was not really at the top of my list.  But, this was a family thing.  Everyone wanted to go so I was in.  Then I had to convince John.  John is not a cruiser but he, too, saw the advantage of taking the cruise to Alaska.  I mean seriously, when were we EVER going to be this way again?

So...we booked the cruise.  The boat left from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...another place I'd never been, and we were excited to go.  All of us met at DFW in time to catch the flight.  Cruz, Sandra and Norma were coming in from El Paso, so we met them in Vancouver.

The three amigos waiting to catch the flight to Vancouver.

    Typical teenager.  Always eating....

The flight was non-eventful.  And, honestly?  What more can you ask?  Since we were headed to the West coast, we gained some time.  Once you land, you are herded, like sheep, to the immigration area.  There's no stopping.  I think it was about five miles and God help you if you needed a "break".  You should have gone on the plane!  The gateway to the main area of the airport is a loooong hallway.  There's no turning around and there's no hanging back.  We were a little concerned about Mom, Pete and Judy because Mom and Pete needed the courtesy cart to take the long trek.  But we couldn't go back and check. 

This is the first place we could stop and regroup.  John and Cheryl.

Luckily, the cart brought the rest of our family and we met them at immigration downstairs.  The cruise line was waiting for us at baggage claim and had taxis all set up to take us to our hotel.  We booked through Royal Caribbean and their hotel of choice was the Four Seasons.  We were very excited because when were we ever going to stay at such a nice place?

Our room at the Four Seasons.

One thing I've learned about hotels in all of my travels is that a room is a room.  What makes the difference is the service.  The Four Seasons was a lovely room but it may as well have been another major chain...

The next morning, Atticus was on a quest.  He must have Tim Horton's donuts, or you just haven't lived.  How could we deny him?  We traipsed around the city looking for this place and found it underground in the subway!

The hotel had these fabulous tables were you could sit outside and just people watch.  What could be better than that?  We're in an amazing city with beautiful weather.  We'd bought coffee and just hung out until it was time to leave.

Sitting on the bus waiting to go.

Royal Caribbean had this down.  The bus came to get you at the specified time.  They took your luggage, which you would have left outside your hotel room door and would be waiting for you in your room on the ship.

I thought he was asleep.  What was I thinking? He just ate a dozen donuts!

This was the port of Canada.  We disembarked here, went through customs, took the requisite "getting on the boat" photo and....boarded.  It was pretty easy.  

Once on board, the first thing you do is eat!  It's a cruise!  So here we are.

We were finally allowed into our room.  We were on The Radiance of the Seas.  It was a smaller boat than we were used to.  But it makes sense.  In Alaska, there are things to preserve so that others can follow.  However, there was an odd smell coming from the bathroom....

We booked a balcony because we knew there was lots to see.  Here, we're still in port and look how beautiful it is!

Atticus and Ed

After muster (where we all gather to find out where to show up when there's an emergency and you have to abandon ship), the horn blew and we were off!  Ed staked out a great place on the deck where we could have a drink (cause that's the other thing you do once you board.  You drink!) and check out the view as we made our way out of Vancouver.

The requisite selfie with the amazing mountains in the back.

Mom enjoying her fruity drink as we cruise out of Vancouver.

Vancouver version of the Golden Gate Bridge.  It's actually called Lion's Gate Bridge.

The first dinner on board the cruise ship.

We watched our departure out of Vancouver for quite a while.  The scenery was amazing.  Mountains and random waterfalls everywhere!  Later that evening, we all gathered for dinner.  This is where we finally met up with Cruz, Sandra and Norma.

The first day was a cruise day.  Everyone is on their own to find something to do and the ship has all kinds of things going on.  My team chose Bingo.  

The ladies of Bingo: Judy (with her back to me), Mom, Cheryl, Cruz, Norma and Sandra.

After hanging out with the ladies of bingo, Atticus already needs a drink!

Bingo was fun.  Even Atticus went...kind of.  Cheryl won a fun package that had a t-shirt and nail polish that was supposed to change colors in the sun.  

Every cruise, we find a bar where we can hang out and chill away from everyone.  This trip was no different.

First option for cell service and internet!  Facebook!

Ketchikan, Alaska.  This was a cool little town.  Very colorful.  There were tons of shops right there on the dock.  But that's also where we were to meet our tour.

For our first excursion, we were going for a boat ride to show us how the crabs are caught and then we were to be escorted to an all you can eat crab feast.

The crab bus: Me, John, Ed, Cheryl and Atticus

On the boat trip, Sancho is looking for volunteers to check out what was caught in the crab nets.  Atticus jumped up before Sancho finished his sentence.

The boat trip was really cool.  Ed, Cheryl, John, Atticus, Pete, Judy and I went on this excursion and really enjoyed it.  While on the boat, our guide gave us some information about the area, which is always nice.  Then we saw the eagles.  Not just any eagles...Bald Eagles.  They were all over and quite majestic.

Then it was back to the dock where we were herded into a dining room where they were about to feed us.  They gave us a cute little salad with oranges and lettuce.  It was okay but I think I speak for everyone in the place when I say, "Bring on the crab!".

But, not yet.  They gave us a little training session on how to crack the crab legs without using the pesky crab crackers.  They showed us the three easy steps for cracking the crab and pulling out large chunks of succulent crab meat.  Then they came to take our order.  If you didn't want crab, you could order spaghetti.  Seriously???  

Unlimited crab legs.  (the photo is sideways but you get the point).  I think I ate about two pounds of crab legs.  They were so good.  I'm a big fan of stone crab but this was so much better.  They offered us melted butter but that was not needed.

Everyone else had left.  We were still eating...

Creek Street

After we ate everything they brought us, we got back on the bus and headed back to the dock.  On the way, we passed Creek Street.  Apparently, this was the "red light" district between 1903 and 1954.  All the "houses" are on stilts and accessed via a boardwalk connected to the main street.  Prostitution was illegal on US soil so the houses are on stilts so that "technically" they are not on US soil...Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to explore this further.

Moose with a Moose

Back at the dock, we decided to wander through the stores so we could see what kind of crap we could buy.  Outside the main store was this large moose.  Well, our Moose can't pass up a photo with his brethren.

These were actual purchase options.  I should have bought some for the heck of it.  Bear Poop?  Seriously?

There's our beautiful ship.  While we were all perusing the shops on the dock, Atticus wanted to go a little further to a jewelry store he'd passed.  I said he could go but that he HAD to be back before three (which was an hour before the ship was planning on leaving).  I expressed how upset his grandma would be if he wasn't on the ship when it left.  He assured me he understood and off he went.  (Just as back up, Ed agreed too!)

John and Atticus toast to a successful shopping mission

Atticus texted me when he was back (which, for the record was in plenty of time).  When I went down to Mom's cabin to chat and see what Atticus bought, I got an ass-chewing like you would not believe.  How could I let him go off on his own?  What if someone had picked him up?  What if he hadn't made it back?  I looked at Atticus and rolled my eyes.  I assured my mom that Atticus was sitting right there and obviously did make it back and all was well.  She wasn't done.  I finally cut her off and said I was going to get a drink.  I looked at Atticus to see if he wanted to come.  He grabbed his wallet and ran out of the room behind me.  I later learned that Ed got the same lecture.

Morning Coffee on the balcony

The Bridge

Our next stop was an island that was owned and/or managed by Royal Caribbean.  The stop was called Icy Point Strait.  We all went ashore together to see what was what.  Pete and Mom stayed behind.

Waiting to disembark

John and his mom outside the visitor's center

The crew.  In front: John, Cruz, Sandra, Cheryl.  In back: Norma, Atticus, Ed and me.

Cannery Museum

This place was interesting.  It was obvious people lived here but not many people.  There was a food stand and a few gift shops.  There was also a salmon cannery museum, which you wouldn't think would be interesting...but it was.

Judy heads back to the ship

Cruz, Norma and Sandra taking pics on the beach.

This place was really cool.  There was a lot of outdoor exploring to do.  After a little refreshment, we all walked around.  There was a bit of a beach and then some trails through the woods.  There was also a zip line that everyone very bravely said they wanted to do.  Then they found out that they would have to wait a while and that it was super expensive.  Darn!

This pic is kind of funny.  It looks like Atticus is this giant and the guy on the beach is a small person standing on that stump to take a photo.

Me, Atticus, John and Cheryl

Headed to the woods

So aside from the beachy area, there were trails through the woods that were pretty cool as well.

Norma and Cruz

Ed and Atticus

So here's what happened.  We were all walking through the woods along the trails.  Before we got too far in, there was a bench and Sandra and Cheryl decided to sit this trek out.  We said we'd come back and get them.  The rest of us went on.  When we got all the way through, we went back and the bench was empty.  We all looked at one another wondering if we were at the right bench (there were several).  So we went further and that bench was empty.  Now what?  Ed went through the path to see if they'd wandered on through and the rest of us went back to the visitor's center to see if they were waiting there.  Nothing.  Our next thought was that they'd gone back and were waiting for us on the dock.  So we walked back across the bridge.  No Sandra.  No Cheryl.  

Norma photographing where we left Sandra and Cheryl

Atticus had binoculars so he broke them out and was looking across the water from where we'd just come.  "Is that Cheryl?" he asked as he points to two ladies sitting on a bench.  What the...?  We went right by that bench!  Atticus ran back across the bridge to fetch them.  They both swore they'd been sitting on that bench the whole time.

John

Atticus trying to be bad

After our "issue" with the previous port, we were instructed to watch Atticus and not let him wander off.  We all joked about it the whole time.  We saw these berries and wondered if they were poisonous.  Atticus immediately picked them up and pretended to eat them.  Little did we know, my mom was watching us from her balcony.  There was another lecture.

Juneau 

Our next stop was Juneau, which is the capital of Alaska.  It's the second largest city in the United States (if you are looking at area...).  We had an all you can eat salmon excursion that started with a Glacier...

When I booked this excursion, there was one ticket left.  John insisted I take it.  He chose to spend the day with his parents...at the same glacier!

On the bus to the Mendenhall glacier.

The tour was to Mendenhall glacier and then to a salmon bake.  The bus took us to the glacier and they were very specific: Be back at this time or no salmon for you!  

Ed and Cheryl with the glacier behind them.

Pete, John and Judy at Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier.

Sister, Let's go over there!

Also at the glacier was a beautiful waterfall.  There was a trail that took you straight there but it was a 30 minute walk each way.  Atticus, of course, wanted to go.  Heavy sigh!  We practically ran to the site.

The waterfall was beautiful!

Atticus and the waterfall

This was how the water from the falls hit the water in the lake. The photo doesn't do it justice.  It was spectacular.  Check out the rainbow in the water.

The deal was when I said we needed to go, we needed to go.  When I gave the signal, we, again, practically ran back to the bus.  We did not want to miss out on the salmon.

We caught the bus, thank God.  We were hungry!  This is the camp that we were brought to.

Our Salmon dinner

The food was pretty good.  There was salmon straight off the grill.  There was also potatoes, beans and cornbread.  They threw in green beans so they could call it healthy.  It was not bad.

This place was gorgeous!   After we ate we walked around the grounds and found this beautiful waterfall.  The creek had lots of salmon in it and they where all hopping around.

One of the other options was to sit by a campfire and roast marshmallows.  I was so full from salmon that I couldn't eat any.  They should tell you so that you can pace yourself.  Ed and Atticus had no problems.  After we were done, we got back on the bus and headed to the dock.

Atticus and I both saw it.  This wreck of a building way up in the hills.  I really wanted to go see it but I'm an adult and knew better.  Then Atticus said, Sister, do you think we can find our way up there?  After that, John had to be the voice of reason.

To get up there, there were several stairways that were in alleys behind buildings.  There were 129 steps to the top.

Each of these staircases into the hills is considered a "street".

At each level there was a platform and sometimes there was a house there.  Other times, there was a homeless person covered in a sleeping bag.  Yikes.  When we got to the top, it was a little eerie.  We couldn't go in the building itself.  

John, immediately sensing something wasn't right, suggested, very casually, that we should get back to the ship.  Atticus and I were both disappointed that we couldn't go in the building.

Wandering around downtown Juneau, we ran into the Chaneys!  We all decided to go to the famous Red Dog Saloon.  It was touristy but cool.  We all got a drink and small bite to eat.

The moose finds a friend.

This guy was the entertainment.  He was 81 years old.  He was bawdy and hilarious.  We thoroughly enjoyed him!

A selfie at the Red Dog Saloon.

Outside the famous Red Dog Saloon

After that, it was enough excitement for one day...

Juneau at night.

We had a lot of time in Juneau and walked around quite a bit.  We were trying to find the capitol building but we all ran out of gas. 

Next stop: Skagway - population 950...unless the cruise ships are in port.  There were more people on our cruise ship that live in the city of Skagway.

Waiting to disembark with Mom.

Today's tour?  A train ride!  The train goes up into the mountains.

The boys waiting for the train.

And there she is!

We are ready to go!

Two minutes in, he's out.

These are some rickety looking tracks.

And they are going into a dicey looking cave.

Yikes! That's our train on the rickety tracks going into that dicey cave!

Scenes from the train.

The rapids.

Mom and Dad enjoying the scenery.

One of the things you could do was step out onto the platform of the car and take photos.  Of course Ed had to get out there...

The train graveyard...

What a beautiful backdrop...and it's real!  Skagway, Alaska.

Sunset as we leave Skagway.

Formal night...

Ed and Atticus watching for the Glacier from the Windjammer

Last stop is the Hubbard Glacier.  You don't really get off the boat for this.  They pull into Disenchantment Bay and then spin the boat 360 degrees very slowly so that everyone can see.  

The Hubbard Glacier

This is what made the trip.  When are you ever going to see something this spectacular in your lifetime?  It was breathtaking.  When the the glacier would calves, it sounds like thunder and makes a large splash.  The icebergs that form when the glacier calves can be the size of a ten story building so the ships have to keep their distance.  Most of the iceberg is below the water.

Amazing that we could see this from our balcony.  The ship had gone most of the way around before we had to leave because of the ice in the water.

First Formal Night: Mom and Cruz

Sandra and Norma

Ed and Cheryl

Me and John

Mom and Dad

Random photos on formal night...

John and his parents

Second Formal Night

Group photo on the second formal night

Last night on the ship.  Our waiters, Stanley and Frances, were awesome!

Elvis!

Our crazy waiters!

Stanley and Frances with Mom and Dad.

The cruise ended in Seward Alaska, which is nowhere near an airport.  So we booked passage on the Grandview Train that runs from Seward to Anchorage, which is where the nearest airport is.  The train ride was about three hours.

The scenery was beautiful!  Here's another glacier.

This was the rapid-y part of the river.

This was so pretty.

We had time in Anchorage so we walked around.  Imagine our surprise when Moose found another Moose!

After that, it was back to the airport for the long flight home.  It was a great trip and we had lots of fun.