The Last Frontier

I finally badgered Mark into an Alaska cruise. It was a hard-won compromise, which he traded me for the Caribbean cruise we took last February. I was sure he would love it once he experienced it, but he's not about to admit it if he did, after making such a fuss about not wanting to go. It wasn't a total bust for him, though, as he got two new Harley shirts out of the deal.

Alaska weather was typically chilly, and several days were shrouded in fog, especially in the morning. The cruise up Tracy Arm Fjord started out obscured in fog, but about halfway along it cleared up and the scenery was beautiful. We didn't get up close to the glacier, however, which was disappointing since that is, after all, the crowning glory of Tracy Arm Fjord. Too much ice in the water.

This is as close as we got to the glacier. You'll
probably need to zoom in on the picture
to see it.

Our port stops were Skagway, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Victoria. We didn't do but one excursion-- the White Pass train ride from Skagway and back. Otherwise (with the exception of Victoria) we just walked around the towns, took pictures, and bought a few mementoes. 

Mark loves trains, so the train ride was a must. It was a little scary at times, especially knowing about the recent rockslide that blocked the tracks a short two weeks prior to our visit. We so often take our safety for granted and trust that everything will be as it should. But the truth is, "...thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8). I have to admit that more than once I whispered a silent prayer for that divine safety during that beautiful ride.

Victoria was a late evening stop from about 8 p.m. to 11:30, and we'd have had to pay for a bus ride into town to see anything worthwhile. Neither of us had much energy left by then to get out and about so we opted to stay aboard for Canada.

Mitchell, Mark's son (who lives in Olympia), offered to let us park the motorhome in his driveway and shuttle us back and forth to the Port of Seattle. That was a saving grace. We were having a lot of trouble finding an RV park that would store the rig for a week. We needed to plug into power while we were gone, so leaving it in the Port parking lot was not going to work. As an added bonus, we got a little extra family visiting before and after. Dylan and Alana (the grandchildren) have grown so much since the last time we saw them. It was a joy to spend time with them.

Mark, Dylan, Mitch, Alana & Sammy

Now we're on our slow and steady way to California for the winter via the coast of Washington and Oregon. 

That's all for now

White Pass train ride pictures--

This was the original White Pass trail during the gold rush.

The old wooden bridge on which the train used to run.

Another view of the broken bridge

The front of the train from the back of the train.

Skagway River

Skagway...

Mark had to have his crab dinner

Juneau

Juneau

The famed "Creek Street" from afar

I had to have my clam chowder. I was solo at this meal.

Creative marketing

Ketchikan...

Aboard Ship...

Foggy day

Kinda creepy

Chilling out with a cup of coffee

Last meal of the cruise... Flaming Baked Alaska for dessert

Victoria from the ship

Our inside cabin

Hanging out with the animals

Tracy Arm Fjord...

Foggy start

Lots of ice in the water

Up close and personal with the mountain