Larry and I are on the S*K*I program! (spending kids inheritance) We were invited to go with the Malone's on an Alaskan Cruise. Larry had heard something negative about the Alaskan Cruise and really wasn't excited to go but he knew I wanted to go and so he told Matt we would love to go with them. I was super excited! Alaska did not disappoint me! We flew in a day early and enjoyed the Space Needle in Seattle.
We met Matt and Kathy at the dock in the afternoon and boarded the Golden Princess together. It was so smooth getting on and off the ship. We were ready for our adventure! (you can see the excitement in our faces....that's why I bought the picture)
Larry bought me REALLY nice binoculars for Mother's Day. (I think he wanted them) We had a good time looking through them from our balcony. I'm more excited to take them to Hawaii to watch whales with them...which is why Larry really wanted them for me. We thought they would come in handy for whale watching on the cruise too but the whales didn't get the memo. We only saw a few and didn't need the binoculars. Larry did see otters and other critters through them though so it wasn't a waste taking them. I really like the binoculars and think Larry is a sweetie for always thinking of me.
We cruised the first few days which happened to include Mother's Day. (BOO....I love Mother's Day and going to Church and hearing the primary sing and being with my family....we weren't thinking when we chose the days) Matt did bring us the announcement that our Stake will be splitting at our Stake Conference in June. Good News for Matt....he gets released! I just have to say that Matt was so relaxed and really enjoyed himself...and Larry too....work and church can be stressful. We had so much fun! We ate more than I'm use to, however it wasn't all sugar and so I don't think I really gained much. I didn't weigh me before though and so I wouldn't really know. We did enjoy the food. We ate mostly in the dining rooms which was nice. We only ate from the buffet a few times. I think we went for ice-cream every day though....it just fills in the empty spaces and so there is always room for ice-cream.
Our first stop was Juneau. I loved the mountains all around us. It was really fun watching the Bald Eagles fly right outside our room as we docked. They are amazing and beautiful. We had quite the show as many flew around. The binoculars were really nice watching the eagles. We even put the camera to the lens to get the shot of the eagle in the middle of this picture.
When we got off the ship my camera quit. Bummer! I was able to get pictures from the Malone's. We had a great time in Juneau just walking around the shops.
Our main goal in Juneau was to eat crab. Yep....we paid for more food. The crab was HUGE....I'm not kidding. I've never seen crab so ginormous. It was delicious and very satisfying. My legs ached while we were walking but a few of the others did too. (kind of like when I got sick right after Braxton's reception other than I didn't feel sick just aching...weird...since I do exercise and we weren't walking much...Trichelle suggested it might of been the difference in altitude) Anyway we laughed and ate and had a great time in Juneau....Matt really had a great time! He got his picture with a gal from "earlier times....a call girl type gal" and we couldn't help but joke and embellish the event.
The next port was Skagway where we were greeted with colorful graffiti on the rocks...mostly honoring captains of cruise ships. This was a small town were our goal was to find cookies for our state girl. (Bibiana) After walking up and down the road I finally asked someone if there was a real store in this town. It was over a block and we found the cookies. We had the morning to shop and look around and then we got on the train and headed up the mountain. It was beautiful and relaxing. We didn't plan our excursions before and just winged it when we got to the ports. (I liked doing that)
We had two formal dining nights. We had pictures taken both nights but only chose to get the one from the first night since we had a coupon for a free one to go with the free frame they gave us. (I bet the cruise ship despise tight wads like us) We had fun getting our pictures taken when we got off at each port....we made goofy faces and photo bombed each other.
When we weren't eating we were sleeping.....we reverted to the life of a baby. (just kidding...however we did rest each day before dinner....yep~we are getting old) I saw Larry's backside a few times every day as we walked down the halls. He likes to lead the way...I don't mind.
Wednesday we enjoyed Glacier Bay.....it would have been nicer if the whales would have been where the guides predicted they would be. We did see a few whales while we were watching for them but when you are on a ship and moving you just past each other....not as fun or exciting. The glaciers were awesome though. The sound of them was like thunder as they cracked. We did see some fall and that was also cool. So amazing! Another nice, relaxing day. Every day was nice and relaxing...the perfect kind of vacation!
Thursday we visited Ketchikan. Ketchikan is so tiny and quaint. I liked it a lot. The shops were fun and we even visited Santa Claus. I love Santa Claus! We saw his truck outside the shop that he was in...it's his other ride. I had a little sample treatment that really plumped up the wrinkles on my right eye. I was amazed at how it worked but not enough to spend the $ for it. We paid for more food because we wanted Halibut. I must say that fresh fish is the best. I think I started getting use to eating three meals a day and having a few snacks in between. I could put the food away...we all could! I got a sweatshirt here because the prices were the best. We even picked up a gift for our kids still at home. (shirts and a jacket...nothing too cool....I don't have the gift of knowing the right gift for someone)
This was our other formal night. I decided to curl my hair and go for a different look. I got whistled at which totally made me laugh out loud. The sunset was beautiful and I believe we captured it pretty well in the photos.
We enjoyed the entertainment every night. It was really good. We saw dancing, heard wonderful singing and laughed at a pretty good comedian.
We arrived in Victoria, Canada late Friday night. We learned that when you are in International Waters you are required to stop in both Countries. The cruise ships don't have the monopoly in Canada though and so our stop was short. We didn't know what we were going to do and I noticed a guy trying to get our attention. He was stuttering or choking kind of which caught my attention. I think he was preoccupied but still wanted our attention. Anyway he worked for a Pedicab company. We decided it sounded fun and different and a better way to tour the City than going on our own guessing what we were seeing. Our guide, Ryan, took us through the homes first. There are some really Historic homes that are absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed seeing them. Then he took us to the City where some really nice Hotels and Building are including their Capital. It was very enjoyable traveling around town in a buggy motored by a cute guy.
We got to go into The Express Hotel. It was beautiful and very expensive. Tea with a few crumpets or whatever they enjoy while drinking tea was in the hundreds of dollars. Fancy and ridiculous!
On our tour we stopped to get fudge. It was my idea since I had only been looking at all the others fudges we had seen. This was a very cute shop that was displayed wonderfully. The fudge was as yummy as it looked. Well worth the stop!
We saw a guy in a garbage can. I'm not sure why he was in a garbage can but there he sat. I couldn't help but take a picture.....not something one sees everyday or ever.
Ryan stopped at a place that "serves people"....at least that is what the sidewalk said. Kathy and I climbed on the plate. I think sidewalk art is so cool! Don't I look delicious? (better if I had been dunked in chocolate first)
Fun Fun Trip! I'm so glad I was able to go to Alaska and see what I have heard about over the years. I would recommend an Alaskan Cruise to anyone. It is so beautiful! I am so glad we were able to go even if it did mean missing Mother's Day with my family. Fun Memories!
***I lost my driver license after going through security. When I got home I didn't have it.
