Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Well, the cruise is over.  Started in the Explorer's Lounge at 8:10 a.m., and then our group got off the ship.  They have the disembarkation routine down to a science.  From the time we left the lounge to curbside waiting for Dave and Wanda was less than 45 minutes - much better than the boarding procedure!  Dave and Wanda met us with two vehicles and we all went to 13 Coins for breakfast - originally were supposed to meet Edward and Marjorie, but they couldn't make it.  Even though it was commencement weekend, it wasn't too crowded and we had a great welcome back breakfast - nothing like eating after a cruise :-). 

Walked around downtown Seattle for a while and then we took Tim and Kathy to the airport for a 2 p.m. departure.  Vi and I went back to Pete and Mary's for the afternoon, and then over to Butch's for dinner (delicious Copper River salmon) complete with shup noodles (sp?) 

Monday morning we left early at 6:00 a.m. to head back to Reno - we were going to stay in Seattle longer, but felt like we wanted to get home.  Arrived back in Reno at 8:00 p.m., helped along by a couple of Nora Robert's books on disc.  Weather started out drizzly, but by the time we hit Southern Oregon, it was clear blue sky and in the upper 60's.  When we came down I-5, Mt Shasta stood out in all her beauty. 

Saturday, June 11th, 2011

At sea all day enroute to Victoria.  Calm, overcast day.  Tim and Kathy did 5K run (8 laps around the ship) for the Princess Cruise Race for the Cruise.  At 7:00 p.m., we docked in Victoria and took a cab into town.  Neat, old-style British city.  We started at the Empress Hotel (where Vi took Michele and Melanie when they came out to visit).  Had a couple of beers in the Irish Times Pub and then we split up and Vi and I went back to the Empress and then to the ship. Before we left the ship, we packed our bags so they could be picked up during the evening.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Left Skagway after an all-day visit of the town.  While a lot of people took tours, especially the White Pass railroad tour, we walked around downtown.  They had a local shuttle ($5 all day) which we could ride out to various sites around the town.  We did that, but mostly walked around town.  Found an internet café in a Seamen’s Center and joined the throng taking advantage of the bandwidth.  National Park Service had several locations in town which depicted events of the Klondike gold rush.  Amazing how similar the tourist stores are at all of the stops along the way (Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway).   In talking to several of the people working at the shops, they come to Skagway for the summer and then follow the cruise ships to the Carribbean for the winter.  Skagway was the smallest, but kind of fun to walk around.   The town still had the old wooden sidewalks, but it did have a Starbucks!  Left around 5:00 p.m. after watching the last minute passengers hurrying down the dock.    We’re now on the homeward journey, no stops until we get to Victoria and then it’s only for four hours.  Time to relax and unwind – you know how stressful vacations can be J.

This evening, we went to the Captain’s Welcoming Cocktail Party for returning Princess passengers.  Served drinks, short speech by the Captain, and recognition of the three couples who had sailed the most with Princess (all had more than 220 sailing days).  After drinks in the Mermaid Lounge, we went for dinner in the Vivaldi Dining Room – lobster evening!  Except for Tom breaking a wine glass, all went well.  Later in the evening, we went to the casino and Tom went to a comedy/music show.

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Left Juneau yesterday around 10:00 p.m.  Tim and Kathy went on a bike and brew tour.  I guess the brew was a reward for successfully completing the nine mile bike ride.  Haven’t seen them since they got back but I’m sure we’ll get an update at breakfast.   It was a quiet night of dinner and then a show in the theater – great dancing and singing.   Amazing the talent they have on board.   This morning we docked in Skagway, the northernmost point on the Inland Passage.  This is the first point we have reached on the cruise where you can actually drive out of here.  All of the other places are inaccessible by road, you either fly in or take the local inter-island ferry.  One of the things they don’t have to worry about in Ketchikan is car theft – there’s no place to drive it away J.   We’re going to go ashore this morning and see the big city of Skagway.  According to the brochure, there are only 846 year-around residents (and we have 2670 passengers aboard!).  I imagine there are more residents during the summer, but it’s definitely a small town. 

This evening we set sail and will be at sea for a couple of days, arriving in Victoria on Saturday evening.  We only spend about four hours there before leaving for Seattle.   The present plan is to arrive in Seattle around 7 a.m. and then it’s all over.  Tempus do fugit!

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Left Ketchikan yesterday and sailed up the Inland Passage.  During the evening, we had dinner at the Savoy Dining Room and generally just relaxed after a good day of walking and touring around Ketchikan.  Later on, we went to the International Talent Show put on by the crew.  There are over 1100 crew members from more than 50 countries aboard the ship taking care of the 2670 passengers.  The show was a good display of their talents.  The Cruise Director’s staff put on a amusing finale.  This morning we entered Tracy Arm – a 25 mile fjord between Ketchikan and Juneau.  We sailed up to see the most fantastic scenery, a combination of mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, icebergs.  It was just a gorgeous area.  According to the narrator on the local channel, even John Muir called it more beautiful than Yosemite to which it bears a remarkable resemblance.  We got within a half-mile of the glacier before the Captain turned the ship around.  Lot of ice floating in the Arm.  Water is over 1000 feet deep, but we had to pass over a bar which had only fifty-foot clearance at the beginning.  After we leave Tracy Arm, we’ll head north to Juneau. 

We're now in Juneau and I'm sitting in the local library catching up on e-mail and getting this blog out. then it's out to explore the town. 

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 - later

Docked in Ketchikan this morning at 6:00 a.m. after turning our clocks back one hour.  Had breakfast with Tim and Kathy (see picture from last night).  Then walked (or rather took the free shuttle) downtown to check out all the local tourist traps (oops, excuse me - shops and vendors).  The shuttle driver said the population of Ketchikan was 12,000, but during the summer it doubled with the cruise ships coming in each morning and leaving each afternoon.  After September, they close the downtown area until next May and everything calms down.  Fun exploring the town and reading the various historical notes.  We leave at 3:30 for Juneau.  I'm in the Ketchikan library now taking advantage of their wi-fi.

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Well, it’s been a while since we “blogged”.  The Race on Sunday in Seattle was terrific – much better organized (or at least it seemed to us) than it was last year.  Once again, it was held at Seattle Center in the shadow of the Space Needle.  Weather too was better than last year’s drizzle; we had blue skies and sunshine for the day.  Vi’s Guys was a team of 26 this year, it seems to get bigger each year.  Thanks to Wanda for organizing the Seattle team again and being such a great hostess on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  She and Dave took the four of us to the ship after the Race and breakfast.  Needed two cars because of all the luggage.   It took about an hour to get from the drop-off point to on-board ship.  It seemed like we were in one serpentine line after another.  First to drop off baggage, then to get screened, then to check-in, and then finally on board the ship.   At least you get a chance to make some acquaintances before getting on board.

The first night we spent getting acquainted with the ship and finding out where everything is located.  Our first day was at sea on the way to Ketchikan.  The seas were a little rough in the morning, but then it calmed down somewhat.  Having a great time and probably eating too much, but between breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner, you have to try them all.  On Tuesday we spend the day in Ketchikan (after turning our clocks back an hour this evening because we go to Alaska Time from Pacific Time.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to find an internet café in Ketchikan and send out this update.

We’re not using the cell phone or the laptop on board the ship, but we’ll try to get out some information at the various stops along the way. 

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Another beautiful day in Seattle - I'm going to have to double-check and make sure I didn't wake up in some strange land.  So unusual to see clear blue skies and sunshine up here - supposed to be in the upper 70's today.  Picked up Tim and Kathy and a group of us went to Claire's in Edmonds for breakfast.  Lot of action in Edmonds between the Waterfront Festival and the Farmers Market.   After noon, we drove down to Seattle to do some touring.  Tim and Kathy wanted to see the Smith Tower (used to be the tallest building west of the Mississippi, now it's dwarfed by all the skyscrapers).  Then on to the Public Market - really crowded, but we lucked out with a good parking spot and spent an hour or so exploring the market.

We then drove over to West Seattle for dinner at Wanda's.  On the way, we drove around Alki Point and the beach area - what a madhouse!  The first beautiful day (and on a weekend) brought everyone and their brother out to enjoy the sunshine.  Bumper to bumper traffic.  Combine that with a Mariners game and a U-2 concert at Qwest and you have utter chaos.

Great dinner at Wanda's - as usual she showed off her superb talents as a cook, nay make that a chef.  Had some good assistance from Dave, Lauren and John.  Family and friends who are going to be on the walk tomorrow were there and it was a lot of fun.  It's always great when we get together and especially this time because Tim and Kathy could share it with us. 

Back home fairly early because we have to get up early, pack and head down to the Race for the Cure.  More tomorrow about the Race. 

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Happy Birthday, Tim.  The Big 40 !!!

Tim and Kathy arrived last night in Seattle.  On our way down to Seattle, we could see Mt Ranier in all her majestic glory standing out against the blue sky.  Yes, there is blue sky in Seattle and it should continue tomorrow for the Race for the Cure.  Later this morning we're all meeting for breakfast at Claires, a local restaurant here in Edmonds.  Probably head downtown to see some of the sights this afternoon and then head over to Wanda's for dinner this evening.  She's hosting a dinner for all the Race participants - 26 on the Vi's Guys team this year!

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

Beautiful day in Seattle - the sun is out and the sky is blue.  We're hoping that this weather holds for the Race for the Cure on Sunday. 

Seattle - June 3rd, 2011

In Seattle for the Race for the Cure on Sunday and then board the ship for Alaska Sunday afternoon.