So, that took us through the three towns of our cruise, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. All small Alaska towns that have been transformed by the cruise ship industry. Rightly or wrongly, it is what it is. We did notice that the souvenirs are pretty much the same from one spot to another but many people make a living because of those big ships coming and going. To each his own.
Our last days were spent cruising and enjoying H-U-G-E glaciers that come right down to the water edge "tidal glaciers". One of the bays was "College Fjord" which in this one huge bay has a glacier named after each major university/college, except Princeton for some reason. Not sure why.
The first area we stopped in was Johns Hopkins Glacier, a 12-mile long glacier located in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. You have to have a permit to even enter these waters (which obviously the ships have). There are actually "ranger boats" out there watching and observing everyone. I like the fact that they take care of things. Again, lots of pictures. They cannot, in anyway, do justice to the magnificent nature of what you see. Absolutely incredible and we are so very lucky to have seen them under such incredible conditions......see for yourself:
I won't even pretend to remember the names of everything. This was a 7 day Alaska cruise, 3 cities, cruising one way. We flew back to Vancouver via Seattle.
Big, big sister, Susann...
(I just love to call her that cuz she's the oldest in the family!)
John Hopkins Glacier
Notice the little "spec" in front? That's the ranger boat.....
Probably a 30 or 40 foot boat. Just an economy of scale for you.
Another huge cruise ship is allowed in with us.
Honestly, notice the Caribbean colour of the water??
Morning Ceasars.....
You can just see the edge of the churned up silt in the water from the ship.
Still playing family shuffleboard.....serious contemplation going on.
We are fairly serious.....
However, Martin found it a tad chilly!!
Back inside to watch a show. These hands of my Mom's.
They have guided us all through life with love and wisdom....
probably some spankings that we deserved as well......Ha ha.
Brother Mark....okay, it isn't THAT warm.
(You can let your breath out now....)
Theme of the cruise it seems......
My immediate family. Nancy, Susann, Mark, Julie & Mom.
Our favourite band of "outlaws". Doug, Mom, Carmen & Martin.
I believe this is the Mendenhall Glacier. It so huge, we could hardly get it in the shot. Right at the end of College Fjord. The ship sits here and turns slowly so that everyone has a chance to see it. Unbelievable.......
Last dinner with our great dinner waiters/friends.....
Thanks to them all for being part of this incredible journey, every evening.
Good morning from Whittier AK.
Our lovely home for the past week.
Once we disembarked in Whittier, there were buses that took us up to the Anchorage airport. Very organized and efficient. From there we flew to Seattle and then home to Vancouver. It was a long day but all the connections went well.
Thank you, Alaska, for allowing us to see just the most minute snippet of all you are. We know there is SO much more to see. Thanks to our Mom, Nadyne, for the opportunity to spend this time together and to get to see one of her favourite cruises. We had an amazing journey!!!
Peace.....
Thought for the Day: Figure out who you are and then do it on
purpose.
