Tuesday, July 17, 2018

ALASKA!

Scott and I took our anniversary trip early this year so that we could do an Alaskan cruise.  We are so glad we did, it was fabulous!  It was the first time to Alaska for both of us and we were smitten.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words and for Alaska, that is especially true.  It's very beautiful, hope you enjoy the highlights...

Pulling up to Pier 66! Or rather, dragging 4 suitcases and 2 carry ons up to Pier 66.

Our first glance of the Pearl...
...so exciting!!

Finally through to the line to wait to get on the ship!!!!!!  Ok, it wasn't that bad, we actually zipped right through...
On the ship looking at the Space Needle...the closest we got to it!
And we're off! Goodbye Seattle!
Shuffleboard!! 2nd time we ever played, first time was on our other cruise 5 years ago...we weren't any better at it, ha!

This is where we ate dinner every night.

View from deck...starting to see signs that we were in Alaska in the form of SNOW TOPPED MOUNTAINS...one of my favorite sights.

We're in Alaska!
Up on the top deck...as you can tell, it wasn't cold which was a bummer for me. But I was glad for the sunny days so that we could make the most of the scenery.


Guess what time it is?? Hint...it's very late at night.

Typical lunch on board...yes, we gained weight.
JUNEAU! We arrived Tuesday afternoon along with many other cruise ships, I would hate to be the one navigating through all of that.

It was cool watching a plane land on the water.

Coming off the ship and seeing that it was going to be a very green day.
See?

Mendenhall Galcier


Soaking it all in.

We went to a Salmon Bake that evening.
You would never believe that this was right in the middle of town.

Yummy s'mores.

There was a trail that went off from the eating area so we took a stroll...

...and this is what we found at the end.



Goodbye Juneau!

The very next morning we arrived in Skagway and I was able to get a good shot of the ship.

SKAGWAY!
We took a road trip over the border into Canada, it was quite the scenic drive.




Stopped at a husky pup station. This pup was only on my lap for as long as it took to snap the picture and then he was out of there!
This one couldn't get enough attention.  They sure were cute.

Yeah, we were roughing it.

Panned for gold and became 6 flecks richer.

A fun and noisy place.


Ketchup flavored potato chips....they were gross.

Back in Alaska!

The waterfalls were my favorite.  This was the one where the water was really clean so we filled our water bottles.

Shot of Skagway from above.
Found another waterfall before we went back.


Super cutie!

The trail back to the bus. I couldn't get enough of the greenery.
Walking back to the ship which is not parked on the street even though it looks like it is.

Goodbye Skagway!

GLACIER BAY!  If I say it was beautiful, would I be repeating myself?

First of several glaciers we saw that day.

Margerie Glacier


I think this was our favorite day just because of the grandeur of it all.


We just spent the day on the top of the ship with everyone else!


I was mesmerized by this.
Goodbye Glacier Bay!

KETCHIKAN!

More green walks.


Totem Bight State Park



Every totem pole has a story...wish I could remember this one, it looks cool.

This was the only day it rained.  It was just a light sprinkle all day, I loved it! 

Lumberjacks!  Super fun show!!


Goodbye Ketchikan!

Now you know why we gained weight.

VICTORIA!


Victoria is a place where you stroll down the sidewalk alongside the deer.

Butchart Gardens, take a stroll with me through the flowers...





Side trip to Japan.

Nice view as the sun was going down...around 10pm!


Caught a partial view of the fireworks show at the end of the evening then went back to the ship and collapsed....

...and woke up back in Seattle! End of cruise!!

Later that day we found the Seattle temple and walked around the grounds before heading up to Bellingham.


By far, the most beautiful rest area I have ever used! Somewhere between Seattle and Bellingham if you're interested!

We spent the next day in Canada driving through White Rock, Surrey, and Vancouver.

It was a gray day but still beautiful and we soaked in the coolness.

View of White Rock from the end of the pier.

Found an eagle hanging out.

Scott was indulging me a little bit as we found some of the Psych TV show locations, this being one of them.  A cute cafe where we ate a delicious lunch.

It even has a cute name.
All of the roads looked like this, I am still so amazed.

Beach in Surrey right in front of Henry's house for those of you who know what I'm talking about, hehe.


We went to Capilano Park in Vancouver.  If it looks like I was holding on, I kind of was...I get nervous with heights...

...but I did go on the Cliff Walk, although we don't have any pictures during the walk because I was holding on tight to the railing!




I drew the line at this!
Loving the sights of BC!




Vancouver was gorgeous!
The Robinson's told us about a yummy place for ice cream just this side of the Canada border and they were right!

I told Karina I would try the black licorice and it wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be but I wouldn't want a whole serving of it. But I appreciate the experience...sort of.
Coconut Almond Bliss...much better! We didn't realize how big a double scoop would be, holy cow!
Thank you for making it to the end! I know that was a long one, but if you knew how many photos I left out....

We had a great time, so glad we got to see Alaska!!