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Arrived in Seattle early this morning after 1 last smooth sail. I didn't get a map read on the way through the San Juan's unfortunately - that would have been interesting to see.



Debarkation went smoothly - luggage was easily located and you hardly realize you are going through customs when you leave the ship. It is sort of like organized chaos as there are people both coming and going and the pickup/drop off area was crazy. After a stop in Issaquah for breakfast (Dave hadn't eaten yet) and gas we headed home.

We were nearly rear-ended by a huge pickup truck that had a horse trailer on behind. Dave had noticed it earlier as it was coming up behind pretty fast in the left lane. Coming down a hill on the east side of the state there was a warning sign that traffic was slowing down ahead of us so I checked my phone app and figured there must be an accident ahead. Dave moved over to the right lane and this truck did, too. We could see the traffic slowing so Dave pumped his brakes to signal the truck and either he didn't see it, was overdriving, or who knows what, but he came whizzing by us on the shoulder, finally coming to a stop. He just missed us and the vehicle in front of us and also didn't put it in the ditch. We moved over again to the left lane and he got ahead of us. We later passed him when traffic cleared and he was driving much more sedately, as he should with a big horse trailer! Pretty scary!

So, now back into real life...overall the cruise was terrific. The only disappointment was the salmon bake in Juneau - it just wasn't worth the money. Food onboard the ship was great, service was wonderful and all of the staff was friendly and helpful. I've never seen such a well run and organized business. My only complaint is the beds were really, really hard!

Thanks for reading this. Now, looking forward to a cruise in February to the southern Caribbean!

Last day on board

This morning we pulled into Victoria...and it was a beautiful day. There was lots of activity in the outer harbor area with fishing boats, a sail boat, a guy on a jet ski and several float planes.

I did discover that the ship has side thrusters to get itself snuggled up to the dock and does not use tugboats. There was a lot of silt stirred up with them.

We had no excursions planned so stayed on board the ship and sewed most of the day. Since I visited Victoria for a week with my oldest sister 9 years ago and also since we are relatively close and theoretically can visit most anytime I decided I didn't want to hassle with customs...besides I knew I had more than my suitcases could handle!

So, had a leisurely day, enjoyed the deck for a while this afternoon after getting packed and just relaxed. Last drink on the deck in nearly the same place as the first but this time a Long Island tea...  

Dinner tonight was lamb shank!,,,

And these are my table mates and fellow quilters for the last week. We had a great time and hope to keep in touch...

Barb, Bonnie, Linda, Cecile, and Kathy

Tomorrow is an early morning with disembarkation.

Interestingly enough, we are sailing west at this point. I guess we have time to kill before heading into the San Juans. If we heard the captain's announcement correctly we will have a pilot to get through the islands. Current course is 277 degrees! Provides nice views of the Olympics and a beautiful sunset, though.

Quiet cruising day

Woke up to beautiful clear skies this morning, though by dinner there was haze/fog in the distance. 

Spent most do the day working on quilt number 3, a paper pieced quilt by Carol Doak. I've done paper piecing before so it was not too difficult for me. It was a mystery quilt so as we were learning to piece the various blocks we had no idea what it would look like when finished. After lunch we saw several possible "solutions" for it.

Took a break in the afternoon to go to the ice show. It was pretty good, but the condition of the ice was not perfect, causing several of the skates to stumble and fall. there were 10 skaters In the main troupe, plus a special guest who did some amazing tricks with hoops. The rink was really pretty small, too, so what they were able to accomplish was amazing. The costuming was pretty cute, too.

Returned to the sewing room after dinner to work on a block in one of the other quilts that had been giving me problems...and I think I have it perfected now.

Tomorrow is a day in Victoria, BC. Weather is supposed to be near 80. Not sure if I'm going to leave the ship, though,  having spent a week there several years ago, and it is close enough to us that we could drive up again. I have no need to do any more shopping as it wii think my suitcases will be full enough!

Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier

Today we were supposed to go through Tracy Arm Fjord, but, just like all other cruisers from this summer, we went up Endicott Arm instead. Apparently Tracy Arm is too dangerous this season.

We woke up EARLY to be sure to see all of it from our balcony stateroom but we really didn't need to get up so early since it really didn't get interesting until we were up the channel a ways. Started off by seeing a few waterfalls and tiny icebergs. As we went further in they both increased in size and quantity, though none of the icebergs were titanic in size. Some were very beautiful, though. The tops of the mountain peaks were shrouded in clouds but we saw hints of hanging glaciers along the way and their subsequent waterfalls. 

Looking forward we were suddenly aware of a massive glacier ahead of us which obviously was the producer of the little icebergs. It was a-maz-ing! We cruised for some time until we were within 1 nautical mile. The captain then proceeded to slowly (.4 knots/hour) turn the ship 540 degrees so that everyone onboard was able to see it face on. By the time it reached us it was almost time to return to the conference room for day 2 of sewing so we didn't stick around for the return trip out of Endicott Arm. 

I took a gazillions pictures so will have to weed them out and post a few more when I get home and can better choose.

Oh, quilting today! Our project today, a fairly challenging one, is called Ice Castles...very appropriate, and it will be gorgeous when completed...

I haven't commented much about the food...plenty of it and delicious! Will need to go on a bread and water diet when I get home. Have had prime rib one night and tonight was lobster tail. Last night was a parade of the wait staff during dinner and tonight was the chef staff. Best I could count there are 25-30 chefs. The seafood chef prepared 3,400 lobster tails tonight...

Tonight we are back into the open ocean with fog and gently rolling seas. Another sea day tomorrow...and our last class...

Forgot to post the maps showing our journey from Juneau to Skagway...

Skagway and sorta sunshine...Well, mostly clouds

We woke up this morning to the ship being almost docked so I missed seeing the tugboats. We docked on the port side so even if I had been up early enough I wouldn't have seen them...well, there is one more chance in Victoria on Thursday. 

Again we were blessed by the weather gods and didn't have the rain that had been predicted. It was not as warm as Juneau nor as sunny, but layers and my fleece vest felt good most of the day.

We ate in the Promenade cafe for breakfast and headed to town. There were little shuttles that took us from the bottom of the gangplank to where the city busses were available. My roomie is having some sciatica problems so we are trying to keep her as pain free as possible. Our primary shopping goal was going to The Rushin Tailor, the local quilt shop. It was a wonderful shop with loads of Alaska oriented fabrics. I had looked online so knew one thing I wanted to get and then added a bit more to it! I'm going to be really busy this winter!

Most of the buildings in Skagway were built in just a few years at the end of the late 1800's. When I find the exact info I'll put it up here. Like many of the places on the cruise line paths, they roll up their sidewalks during the winter. Skagway has about 800 full time residents and brings in 1,000-1,200 additional people from May-September for the 10,000-12,000 daily cruise ship visitors. Amazingly enough one of our shuttle bus drivers was a Skagway native.

We returned to the ship to drop off our packages since we had time before our train excursion at 12:30,  and, grab a quick bite since we knew that we wouldn't have any lunch provided on the train. The train, the White Pass Yukon railway system, picked us up right at the end of the pier and we headed up the mountain. Even though it was cloudy, the scenery was breathtaking...not as much for me, since I am used to huge mountains,and deep gorges, but there were some people from Kentucky and Minnesota who were just blown away.

One of the highlights was seeing Carmody glacier and its runoff that dropped 6,000 feet, forming Bridal Falls, before entering the Skagway River. 

The White Pass trail was one of 2 trails that led miners to the Yukon gold fields. This one was not the more famous Chilkoot trail that has the picture of the miners going up the steep incline in snow. Unlike the Chilkoot, this one is no longer hike-able, but there are still portions visible. Apparently this trail was just as crowded with miners, though. We were told that if a miner stepped out of line for some reason it could take him hours to be able to get back into line and on the trail.

The actual train runs more than 100 miles and is an all day trip, ending in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. We only went as far as the border, about 20 miles, with the engines switching ends and the passengers flipping seats and changing sides so everyone had a chance to be on the scenic side. We did just barely go into Canada but no one was able you get off.

Back home to the cruise ship for dinner (yes, eating way too much good food), working on this and hoping to get to bed early enough to get up to see Tracy Arm Fjord that we will be cruising through starting about 5:30 in the morning. Also have the 2nd quilting class tomorrow...

Juneau and sunshine!

A week ago it was expected to be rainy in Juneau but it was a gorgeous day! We got up early enough to see part of the inland passage. I'm sure it is more spectacular during winter months, but it was still beautiful. We did see some whales spouting but none breaching.  

Notice the time stamp on the one above! 2:00am!

After having breakfast on the chilly balcony we retreated to the warmth of our cabin and watched through the slider. We ventured down to deck 4 about an hour before reaching port to watch us land. We were on the landing side so did not see the tugs that pushed us up to the dock.

Spent the few hours that we had in port shopping...the ship really promotes all of the jewelry shops (we think they get a kickback) and if you venture in they try really really hard to see you some very expensive jewelry....at least the markup is huge. I looked at this beautiful emerald bracelet (it really was gorgeous) but it was marked at 7 grand...but they could 'give me a deal' since it was the end of the season and I could have it for $1,500...still too rich for my blood...(I later bought a fake emerald bracelet that was very similar for $20!)

For lunch we stopped at a little local place that makes crepes. I had what they called a Gastineau...smoked salmon, cheese, spinach, smoked salmon spread and red onion...delicious!

Of course we had to go to the local quilt store where I picked up some Alaska themed projects...met several gals from the ship there! I know, amazing!

Our excursion for Juneau was a salmon bake...it wasn't bad, but we didn't feel that it was worth the money we paid extra for it (tomorrow's train trip, even if it rains, should be much better).

Back onboard we have enjoyed some adult beverages and once again are sitting on our balcony waiting for us to leave port. Another Royal Caribbean ship was in port, and we just watched them leave...it is just getting dark so it was beautiful to see.

And, we are off! Next stop-Skagway in the morning!