My window of opportunity to post a quick blog is small, so I won't waste any time with complete, coherent sentences.
Whales, eagles, and a naughty bear. King crab legs as big as my...well, big. Lots of hiking. Perfect weather (which for me means foggy and rainy). Brothels, pubs, and lots of booze.
Funny story- when you order room service on a cruise, they first ask for your order, then your room #, and then your name. Yesterday when I called, I ordered my third bottle of crown royal. Upon making the order, the steward asked, "Is this Larry?"
Apparently I'm the only one on this boat ordering mass quantities of whisky.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Skagway
This morning was much the same - which was is not a bad thing. We've been getting up around 7ish to make sure we get in as much of each port as we can. Today we woke up to rain and low clouds. Before our vacation we did a little research and found a great hike on the edge of town to the Dewey Lakes system. So, this morning we got dressed fast, ate fast, and hiked to lower Dewey lake. It is so amazing here! We are in a rain forest and because of that it's beautiful. Also because of that it's, well, raining. So, we hiked in 100% humidity. Luckily the temperature was around 55 degrees, but holy hell we broke a sweat really fast. There's moss on everything and it's so lush! Because of the glacial runoff, a lot of the bodies of water are a light moss greenish. Very pretty. We made to the lake and started doing the lower lake loop when toward the back of the lake the trail got pretty iffy- meaning over big boulders, etc. Also we saw what looked like perfect bear dens. Needless to say we didn't keep going much longer. I really was frightened we'd run into some bears. But, the whole hike was a little over 3 miles so that was good.
Then we went on our excursions. Lance and Chris' helicopter portion of the tour got cancelled, due to weather, much to Lance's excitement. I was initially hoping my rock climbing got cancelled as well because of the rain, but it didn't. Good thing though because I really enjoyed it. The boys are still out and about and I have some laundry in the washer - my clothes and especially my jacket got super dirty rock climbing.
Anyhow, we still haven't really made it into town. Hopefully we will tonight before the shops close up. The salmon are still running strong. I think it's sad to see them try so hard to get up the creeks - mother nature is a cruel woman! Poor fishes!
Then we went on our excursions. Lance and Chris' helicopter portion of the tour got cancelled, due to weather, much to Lance's excitement. I was initially hoping my rock climbing got cancelled as well because of the rain, but it didn't. Good thing though because I really enjoyed it. The boys are still out and about and I have some laundry in the washer - my clothes and especially my jacket got super dirty rock climbing.
Anyhow, we still haven't really made it into town. Hopefully we will tonight before the shops close up. The salmon are still running strong. I think it's sad to see them try so hard to get up the creeks - mother nature is a cruel woman! Poor fishes!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Juneau
We slept in a touch later then we have recently, got up at 7:30 today. Met up with the rest of the bike and brew tour at 9:00AM. I gotta say I loved this excursion. It was some work for sure, but we were all in good enough shape to handle it without whining. We saw Mendenhall glacier and nugget falls, got to bike to mendenhall state park and then bused to Alaska Brewery. Everything was BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Right now we're still in port, took a short nap. Chris went to get on a Whale watching tour this evening and so Lance and I are going to walk around town a bit and shop.
We've seen a few bald eagles from our ship and during our bike ride we met a brown bear getting into someones trash! Naughty bear! He was cute though.
Ta ta for now!
Right now we're still in port, took a short nap. Chris went to get on a Whale watching tour this evening and so Lance and I are going to walk around town a bit and shop.
We've seen a few bald eagles from our ship and during our bike ride we met a brown bear getting into someones trash! Naughty bear! He was cute though.
Ta ta for now!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Whirlwind
Well, with limited Internet access, my dream of "journal" vacation just isn't coming true. I will however fill you in on today, thus far.
Today we docked in Ketchikan around 5:30AM. We woke up around 6:15 and immediately went out to our balcony, pj's, barefoot, and all. The view was spectacular! Hazy sky, mountains, ocean and the cute little town of Ketchikan just off to our left. We threw on our kayaking clothes, went to breakfast, and then disembarked the ship around 7:15. The excursion didn't leave until 7:50, so we walked around a bit, breathing in the salty air as we went.
Kayaking kicked ass. We saw 5 bald eagles and a baby bald eagle. The whole thing lasted about 3 hours - which was just enough. I got plenty of pictures and somehow Lance and I managed not to tip our kayak!
We arrived back in town, took pictures of some totem polls, and ate at Annabells'. We read in a few of our guide books that they had great chowder. Chris and Lance will attest to the fact that they do.
Now we're on the ship and on our way to Juneau. We're supposed to go through some pretty narrow passageways later on and the captain says lots of whales have been spotted through there.
Anyhow, WE ARE LOVIN' VACATION. More later tomorrow.
Today we docked in Ketchikan around 5:30AM. We woke up around 6:15 and immediately went out to our balcony, pj's, barefoot, and all. The view was spectacular! Hazy sky, mountains, ocean and the cute little town of Ketchikan just off to our left. We threw on our kayaking clothes, went to breakfast, and then disembarked the ship around 7:15. The excursion didn't leave until 7:50, so we walked around a bit, breathing in the salty air as we went.
Kayaking kicked ass. We saw 5 bald eagles and a baby bald eagle. The whole thing lasted about 3 hours - which was just enough. I got plenty of pictures and somehow Lance and I managed not to tip our kayak!
We arrived back in town, took pictures of some totem polls, and ate at Annabells'. We read in a few of our guide books that they had great chowder. Chris and Lance will attest to the fact that they do.
Now we're on the ship and on our way to Juneau. We're supposed to go through some pretty narrow passageways later on and the captain says lots of whales have been spotted through there.
Anyhow, WE ARE LOVIN' VACATION. More later tomorrow.
Monday, August 17, 2009
See Ya On The Flip Side
Well, our plan to blog during the trip isn't working out too well. There's just no time. So, Steph and I will just have to wait until the end of the trip to make posts. You may see an update or two on here from Steph over the next week, but nothing too substantial. The meatier posts will come sometime after August 27th.
Today is our last day in Vancouver. We'll be exploring Granville Island, and then it's time to get on the boat. Lots of pics and posts to come.
Today is our last day in Vancouver. We'll be exploring Granville Island, and then it's time to get on the boat. Lots of pics and posts to come.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Vancouver
Yesterday we arrived in Vancouver, SAFELY! We arrived a few hours before Chris, so we took our luggage and checked it with the bellhops at our hotel, The Renaissance Marriott. It's just 2 blocks from the waterfront and our room faces the water. While waiting for Chris we explored Canada place and gastown. We ate a great restaurant for lunch, Steamworks Brewing Company. Lance had fish & chips -he says the best ever- and I ordered Chicken Satay.
Well, I barely touched on the first day, but I've got to end it here. It's getting late and I'm borrowing Christopher's'computer. I hope to type more later. Sadly, I wont be able to post pics until we're home.
Well, I barely touched on the first day, but I've got to end it here. It's getting late and I'm borrowing Christopher's'computer. I hope to type more later. Sadly, I wont be able to post pics until we're home.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Itinerary
With only 7 days left before we head out on our Northwestern journey, we are beside ourselves with anticipation. Planning is half the fun!
Here's what we've got going~
Saturday, Lance and I will arrive in Vancouver around 10:30AM. If the plane doesn't crash Lance will consider it a miracle - as he always does.
Chris will arrive sometime in the noon hour and meet up with us. We plan to do a little Vancouver site seeing and then we have dinner reservations at a highly-recommend restaurant. (To be revealed later - with a review of course!) We've chosen to stay at a Marriott near the pier.
Sunday we're going to see the Capilano suspension bridge ( http://www.capbridge.com/index.html) and hike up the Grouse Grind. (I'm feeling exhausted already)
Monday is the day we embark on the cruise! YAY! We'll get in a nice breakfast and hopefully a little shopping before boarding the vessel. We'll be sailing on The Island Princess for 7 days. Princess provides a bridge cam, so if you're interested you can check it out while we're sailing. Here's the link- http://www.princess.com/bridgecams/ip/island_bridgecam.html
Tuesday we will be at sea. Ahhhhh. This means lots of on board activities and time at the casino. Oh, and time in the gym. Our travel companion, Chris, has made it very clear that this will not just be a vacation of relaxing. The muscles will be worked! Lance however, will mostly be working his elbows as he tips back drinks.
Wednesday we will be arriving in Ketchikan. We've reserved the Eagle Islands Kayaking tour (my pick). Should be awesome.
Thursday we'll dock in Juneau. Chris chose the Glacier View Bike and Brew tour. We'll be riding down (hopefully, down) a road near the Mendenhall glacier and then be whisked off to the Alaskan Brewery for some beer samples! We'll probably meander around town after the excursion.
Friday we're going to split up a bit in Skagway. Chris and Lance are going on the Heli-Hike and Rail adventure. They'll be getting in a helicopter, flying over glaciers, hiking up trails and then training down back into town. As fun, and as expensive, as this sounds, I'm going to be off rock climbing. I've chosen the Klondike Rock Climbing and Rappelling tour. Although it would be more fun if someone I knew was going along, I just want this too much to give it up. My friend and I tried out a rock climbing gym in Rhode Island and I loved it. I now want to take my amateur skills and try it outdoors!
Saturday and Sunday we'll be back at sea, checking out ice bergs and such. Monday we will disembark and make our way to Anchorage. Chris will depart that night (boo), leaving Lance and I to roam the Kenai peninsula for the next few days on our own. We'll hit up the towns of Seaward and Homer, before finally getting back to Anchorage and returning to Denver August 28Th.
Upon return we will post a more detailed account of the trip, along with pictures.
Here's what we've got going~
Saturday, Lance and I will arrive in Vancouver around 10:30AM. If the plane doesn't crash Lance will consider it a miracle - as he always does.
Chris will arrive sometime in the noon hour and meet up with us. We plan to do a little Vancouver site seeing and then we have dinner reservations at a highly-recommend restaurant. (To be revealed later - with a review of course!) We've chosen to stay at a Marriott near the pier.
Sunday we're going to see the Capilano suspension bridge ( http://www.capbridge.com/index.html) and hike up the Grouse Grind. (I'm feeling exhausted already)
Monday is the day we embark on the cruise! YAY! We'll get in a nice breakfast and hopefully a little shopping before boarding the vessel. We'll be sailing on The Island Princess for 7 days. Princess provides a bridge cam, so if you're interested you can check it out while we're sailing. Here's the link- http://www.princess.com/bridgecams/ip/island_bridgecam.html
Tuesday we will be at sea. Ahhhhh. This means lots of on board activities and time at the casino. Oh, and time in the gym. Our travel companion, Chris, has made it very clear that this will not just be a vacation of relaxing. The muscles will be worked! Lance however, will mostly be working his elbows as he tips back drinks.
Wednesday we will be arriving in Ketchikan. We've reserved the Eagle Islands Kayaking tour (my pick). Should be awesome.
Thursday we'll dock in Juneau. Chris chose the Glacier View Bike and Brew tour. We'll be riding down (hopefully, down) a road near the Mendenhall glacier and then be whisked off to the Alaskan Brewery for some beer samples! We'll probably meander around town after the excursion.
Friday we're going to split up a bit in Skagway. Chris and Lance are going on the Heli-Hike and Rail adventure. They'll be getting in a helicopter, flying over glaciers, hiking up trails and then training down back into town. As fun, and as expensive, as this sounds, I'm going to be off rock climbing. I've chosen the Klondike Rock Climbing and Rappelling tour. Although it would be more fun if someone I knew was going along, I just want this too much to give it up. My friend and I tried out a rock climbing gym in Rhode Island and I loved it. I now want to take my amateur skills and try it outdoors!
Saturday and Sunday we'll be back at sea, checking out ice bergs and such. Monday we will disembark and make our way to Anchorage. Chris will depart that night (boo), leaving Lance and I to roam the Kenai peninsula for the next few days on our own. We'll hit up the towns of Seaward and Homer, before finally getting back to Anchorage and returning to Denver August 28Th.
Upon return we will post a more detailed account of the trip, along with pictures.
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