Day #4 ~ Ketchikan, Alaska

Our first port of call, Ketchikan Alaska. The town of Ketchikan originated as an Indian fish saltery. It grew when it became a supply base and entry port for miners during the 1898 gold rush. Visit here to read more about Ketchikan and the surrounding Indian villages.

This pics for you, Jill! Moose are everywhere in Alaska and serve as the non-official mascot.

Get your salmon!

If it wasn't almost $500 dollars I would take a helicopter to the snow and go on a sled dog race with huskies. A fellow blogger went last year and said it was a highlight of her trip!

Imagine the look on my mom's face when she saw this sign? She took off... running!!!! FATIGUE, be gone!

She showed restraint and only bought a few specialty fabrics to make a surprise for a certain 5 and 3 year old. She did ask everyone in the store if they've been to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show. The 34th annual is coming this July to Sisters, Oregon!

There are 34 totem poles at Saxman Native village and each one has its own unique story and history. We cehcked them out along with the carving center where totems are made. The carvers were working when we stopped in. The master carver in Saxman is internationally recognized and his work is in demand around the world. You can see many of his totem poles displayed throughout Ketchikan.

Busted knuckles...

A bald eagle and her nest and baby

With dad (My mom stayed on the heated bus!)

Rotary International sponsors this park

The locals said that we enjoyed one of the few days of sunshine this summer... 2008 has received more liquid sunshine than ever...

We watched the Lumberjacks in action courtesy of The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

We saw....

Chopping....

Climbing...

Sawing

and Log rolling for the grand finale!

Tonight's entertainment was Headliner Nick Lewin. He's a comedy magician... and really good!

I wish I could "stay up" for Oldies Rock and Roll Prom Night on The Starquest, Deck 13... but... hello? It starts at 10:30PM and I need my beauty sleep. (And am a nerd and want to finish my book!)

I love vacation!!!!

Day #3 ~ Cruising

So you know how I'm (NOT) an aspiring chef and all.... guess who volunteered to make a Grand Marnier pound cake frosted with cream and strawberries... right next to the Head Executive Chef? ME! My camera wasn't cooperating so the pictures are blurry....

All was well until I had to transfer my masteriece to the plate and then there was some slippage. But by all reports... it still tasted good!

My finished cake ~ the amateur!

And the proffesional's!

After the cooking demo we spent the day exploring the ship. Reading, Resting, and just a little (lot) of eating here and there.

The pool / solarium

The Windjammer Cafe... where the buffets are stocked for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack and the midnight buffet.

The formal dining room

The grand staircase into the formal dining room

A view of the center

Mom and Dad

The third wheel

Cruise Director Dave and I

We enjoyed a great show tonight, The Piano Man. The songs and dances were a tribute to Billy Joel, Barry Manalow (sp?) and Elton John

Tomorrow is Juneau and whale watching!

Vacation Day #2 ~ Set Sail to Alaska!

My parents and I are cruising the Inland Passage of Alaska this week. Our itinerary is:

Day 2
Vancouver, British Columbia

Day 3
Inside Passage (Cruising)

Day 4
Ketchikan, Alaska
Day 5
Juneau, Alaska

Day 6
Skagway, Alaska

Day 7
Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Day 8
Hubbard Glacier (Cruising)

Day 9
Seward, Alaska

Fun facts to know and tell about The Radiance of the Seas:
Builder: Meyer-Werft, Papenberg, Germany
Number of persons: 3,360 Maximum
Speed: 24 knots (27.6 mph)
International gross tonnage: 90,090
Length Overall: 961 feet, 8 inches

Food consumption on a typical one-week cruise:
18,450 fresh eggs
4,750 pounds of rice
12,500 pounds of fresh vegetables
11,580 pounds of fresh fruit
3,500 gallons of milk
5,350 pounds of beef
5,000 pounds of potatoes
556 pounds of coffee
785 gallons of ice cream
31,345 pounds of chicken


Here we are enjoying our life jacket safety training. I was happy for two reasons: #1 Unlike my last cruise, my life jacket did not reak of urine and #2 our group lucked out and we were directed to SIT in the theatre and listen vs. standing outside in the wind. Is it odd that just before the drill they are playing music from The Titanic? I'm not even joking

We ate lunch in The Windjammer. It's the buffet that is loaded with world cuisine, healthy and not so healthy. They say when cruising you, "arrive with luggage and leave as cargo." Um yeah. this is scary ~ the abundance of food. If we don't want to eat at the buffet we can order room service, eat in the formal dining room, or the Seaside cafe. Not a shortage of weight gain opportunities here.

A little liquid sunshine as we depart. Good-bye, Vancouver!

Mom and Dad ~ 45 years of marital bliss!

Squinty eyes and the windblown look.... Mom and I

Family Bonding