The cruise departed from Seattle, Washington. We were on the Golden Princess, took the 7 day cruise. As a very quick overview - it was a GREAT cruise, a nice ship (though admitedly large), fabulous food, and had some remarkable destinations. I would strongly recommend this cruise.
First day was at sea, cruising. Found out about their kid program, and enrolled D in it, which she really enjoyed. Got a little fetter, eating some excelent food, and did the "formal dinner" thing to Barbara's particular delight.
Second day - Juneau, Alaska. We did a tour of the Mendenhall Glacier, a Salmon Hatchery and ended at a Salmon Bake. The Glacier isn't accessible from the observation point - you have to take either a helicopter, dog sled or jet boat to get there - all of which were outside of our budget... So, we observed from a distance at the remarkable beauty of a really BIG chunk of really OLD ice, played with some of the floating ice bergs that used to be part of it, and moved on to the hatchery. Very interesting tour - they actually raise the fish from fry there to about 2 years of age, then put them in an open mesh net near their stream fed fish ladder, and the fish program for that particular chemical combination of that stream - unique in all the world. They are then released to the wild, and many of them after a few years return to river, smell the stream, and then climb up their ladder to the home of their birth - ready to spawn, and soon therafter get zapped, and canned or otherwise prepped for somebodies dinner. Speaking of dinner - the salmon bake was great, they baked it over a pit BBQ, with a nice sauce, and all the trimmings.
Third day - Skagway, Alaska. We went into the town for a few hours, and tried to avoid all the jewelry stores there. Were able to find a bookstore, and an internet connection for a few minutes. Then, back to the pier for a really frustrating running back and fourth between two trains - one of which we were told wasn't the right train, but ended up being the correct one after all, and met up with the rest of the family for a really fun train ride up into the hills overlooking Skagway called the "White Pass Scenic Rail". Some great views of the mountains, waterways and forests, and actually crossed momentarily into Canada at the top of the pass, prior to heading back down the hill. Along the way we saw a small bear.
Fourth day - Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska (Scenic Cruising). During the night, the ship had been navigated into the Tracy Arm Fjord, and we awakened to the gentle thumping of icebergs against the hull... Truly beautiful, many different shades from silvery white, to a very deep blue. We were blessed with overcast skies, which cuts much of the IR, and lets the blue really shine through - the captain actually said that there were some colors that even he hadn't seen before (I bet he says that to all the cruisers :) ). We also saw some Orcas, including one jump out of the water, some seals, and a number of arctic turns.
Fifth day -Ketchikan, Alaska. We did the Rainforest Tour there, and remarkably didn't get rained on (I think this was the first day that it didn't rain on the cruise for at least a small part of the day). Had a nice walk through the forest with our guide, and saw some bald eagles and some slugs in the wild, and an owl and reindeer in the pens there. That evening, the second formal dinner, which we were able to convince some of our relatives to join us for. Cruising is truly an exhibit of excess, debauchery, etc. Where else can you get all you can eat lobster, also get a beef wellington, and the veggies off a third entre... Have I mentioned that the food was excellent?
Sixth day - Victoria, British Columbia. We got in in the evening, and took a city tour, followed by a tour of Butchart Gardens - which we decided that we will definitely need to return to, to spend more than the two hours there. Could be a full day thing. Very nice. Return trip was a little worisome, since the transmission on the bus sounded like it was about to fall out, but we made it back ok, on the ship for the last bit of packing.
Back to Seattle (on the 14th), Washington, and off the boat. Early dis-embarkation and a combination of requirements (including Barbara flying home, and my parents joining Delilah and I for the reminder of the trip) made for a bit of confusion, but was it was easier than getting on. Got all parties collected, and tried to find a brunch place to have a final meal with Barbara before she flew off, but found our selves in airport central with the only options being - Arriving flights, Departing flights and Parking... Ended up having to kick B off prematurely, but she did get home ok.
From there, Delilah, my Mom and Dad and I drove into Canada. Mom had picked up a bug that she has spent most of her time trying to recover from, and the rest of us spent the rest of the day watching the Canadian landscape - which has unfortunately been hugely blighted by the pine bark beetles, which have wiped out high percentages of entire forests. It is also surprisingly hot in British Columbia at this time of year - the thermostat at the RV part read 89 degrees which was a few degrees cooler than it had been. I spent a while reconfiguring the RV for the new passenger reality (mom sleeping in the third bed, sheets on the back bed, clothing in the bags for laundering soon, etc), and we had a simple dinner of sandwiches which was a joyfully simple repast as a break from cruising food. Barbara claims that she will be doing a cleanse - we'll have to check in and see.
On the 15th, just more driving, but slowly getting into the Canadian Rockies, so the temp has dropped a bit. Tonight was able to do the laundry, get an internet connection (thus), and play part of "Sound of Music" DVD for the parents and Delilah. Somehow ended up being late again, but hopefully Delilah will sleep amply.
Tomorrow in to the Yoho National Park, Lake Louise, Banf and area. Should be very nice. If all goes well, we will meet up with my Brother on Tuesday (two days hence) in Glacier on the US side for a while, as he will be in a cabin there for part of the week to contemplate and write. He actually spent time there as an 'intern' or whatever you call a preacher in training :), so it's got a lot of great memories for him.
More later.
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