For my Alaska-bound friends

[reggae]

I've been thinking a lot about Alaska with all the talk of your upcoming cruises, and remembering the great time we had on our cruise to Alaska (about ten years ago).

We went with some family, including my mom, and my brother & SIL who had never cruised. My brother is a real fisherman/outdoors-man and we knew he'd be in heaven on this cruise.

Some of the things I really enjoyed....when we went to Skagway, we took a bus tour, rather than the train. We rode along the same path as the train, and could take pictures of the same scenery with the train. One thing I really enjoyed was the bus driver's narrative. He told us all about the "Gold fever" and how many people traveled to find gold. He told of the trials going over the pass, men and women. We found that very interesting history, and bought the book with the photos of the gold-seekers.

After we left there, we went to a camp to "pan for gold"....that was so much fun. Our son was delighted with his "gold nugget", and I'm sure he still has it somewhere :lol

Also in Skagway, we went to the Red Onion Saloon. What a neat place! The old player-piano was going, and the costumes from the turn-of-the-century. We had to sit down and have a drink, felt like going back in time, especially after hearing all the stories of the gold rush.

Then in Ketchikan we went to Creek Street. So quaint and picturesque! Of course, we went to Dolly's House, and some of the shops along the river. It was fun just looking over the rail and watching that river run by.

The nicest thing about an Alaska cruise (as opposed to the Caribbean) is that you aren't attacked by vendors when you get off the ship. We found it strange walking off, and then into the town, without being grabbed to take a tour, or buy something. A pleasant surprise!

Another surprise, we expected such "cold" weather, but it was actually quite pleasant. Temps were in the 70's most days, with some beautiful sunshine too. A jacket, or sweatshirt was all we needed. Beautiful weather for touring around Alaska.

I'm sure you will all have a grand time! I hope you enjoy all the beautiful scenery, wildlife (eagles flying around, amazing!) Breath in that fresh air, and enjoy

Here are a couple pictures from our cruise, this first one is of the gorgeous scenery with the wildflowers that seem to be everywhere. You'll be taking lots of pictures...

This picture was taken in the dining room when we came back for lunch. My mom and SIL, as you can see were so happy....they had just come back from a tour and shopping. (My mother already had her Alaska sweatshirt on)....after lunch, they headed back out for more

(Mary Ann, you may know what ship that is in the background?)

Have a great cruise, and bring back more fantastic photos of Alaska!! :cheers

 

[nieciez]

Thanks Patty for sharing you memories and pictures of Alaska with us...I am so ready to explore our northern most state!

 

[BostonsJ]

Sounds like a wonderful trip Reggae with lots of good memories. Now it is time for some more exploring on the part of a few @ddicts. Have a blast all!

 

[H2O babe]

I, too, have many happy memories of our 2006 Alaskan cruise.

I can't adequately describe my feelings while we cruising Glacier Bay - we dressed very warmly and stayed topside the whole time even though we had a balcony cabin. I didn't want to miss seeing out both sides of the ship. Glacier Bay is simply majestic.

In Juneau we took a helicopter tour with Northstar Trekking and landing on that glacier was quite the experience. Then when we headed out with crampons on and the whole nine yards to start trekking I couldn't believe I was actually doing something like that. Drinking that glacier water was cool too. We also did a whale watch with Captain Larry and that was great too.

In Ketchikan we did a Misty Fjords floatplane excursion and again, it seemed as though I was in another world. We kayaked there as well and even though it was windy that day and I had to work pretty hard I did enjoy it.

In Skagway we rented a car and drove to Emerald Lake and beyond. I still look at my pictures of Emerald Lake and marvel at that beautiful green color.

We spent everyday on our balcony watching the beautiful scenery and looking for wildlife.

I hope you all have the cruise of a lifetime!

K.

 

[maw]

Thanks for the memory share ladies--Next year you will be with us REgae--can hardly wait. On the Skagway train they had a lecturer who told us various bits of history and lore as we went up the path. Can hardly wait to do it again. I am so excited. See you sat Niecie

 

[Donna - dsw]

I loved Alaska - it was warm when we went also. One of the Engineers here just got back last week. He was on Island Pricess - - he said it was cold and rainy - but they loved it. Dress in layers and layers! lol

Enjoy!

 

[GloBug]

Alaska is my very favorite place to cruise, I would go there every time if DH would go along with that. It is an amazing part of the world. We've been there in t-shirt hot weather and rain every dang day weather!

When we went in May we took a trolley tour in Skagway. The driver told us many interesting things about every day life, that stuck in our minds. One is that in Skagway there is no doctor, no nurse, no EMT, no medical care, no dentist, just a visiting PA who passes through once in a while. When the women get pregnant they used to cross the border, live in Canada for three weeks, and qualify for Canada's health care system. Canada got smart to that, and changed their requirements. Phew, without health care or a dentist in Skagway, I would NOT want to raise kids there!

They also don't use addresses in Skagway, they basically address mail to THE GREEN HOUSE ON MADISON AT THIRD (or a variation of that).

And for several weeks a year, they all gather food and water, and hunker down for the wind storms. High wind for three weeks, so high they can't leave their homes. That's when they do most of the crafty things that you see in a lot of the shops there. And it's usually 9 months later they start going over the border to birthing centers! LOL!

The history is very interesting, but their every day lives are something we related to, because they are so different than ours!

 

[reggae]

Didn't know any of that, Glo...thanks for the share

When I was in Alaska, I kept thinking to myself....is this place really on the same planet with us?? It's so beautiful.

 

[ShipMaven]

What lovely reminiscenses and photos, Patty! Thanks for sharing them.

Although there isn't a clear silhouette of the ship, I'm guessing it may be HAL's Rotterdam V (now retired).

Again, Bon Voyage to those who are leaving for Alaska. I envy all of you!

 

[gottacruz]

Hi,
havent been to alaska in five years, and i'm more than ready to go, just hope the weather is cold and wet, want to go so bad, why only 36 more days to go!!

 

[JacquieP]

Did they tell you that there is very little electricity in Skagway? Most of it is in the downtown area and in homes very near downtown. Lots of the people who come in for the summer live in tents and RVs, because there is very little housing available. Last time we were there we did the helicopter landing on a glacier, but the pilot stayed with us and we got to go anywhere we wanted, so we slid down to a small glacial lake, got to see an ice cave. We were on the glacier for about an hour, so we had a chance to explore a pretty wide area. When we had done glacier landings in the past, we were limited to a very small area with guides and didn't have a chance to see much, so that one was a real treat. On the same trip, we took a canoe to Mendenhall Glacier, and actually got very close to it, but not in a high calving activity area. Alaska will always be my favorite, because the scenery is never the same, and it's always beautiful.

 

[J.E. M.]

Only 369 days and I'll get to see Alaska for the first.

 

[Lisa63]

J.E.M., I hope your one-year wait goes quickly for you. Ours did, and we are now just 5 days away from boarding the ship and 7 days away from our first Alaska port of call.

Thank you for starting this thread, reggae, and thanks to all who shared their memories. (And, I agree with ShipMaven that it is likely Rotterdam (V) in the background.)