Monday, August 19, 2013

Alaska!

Jeremy and I had a wonderful time on our vacation! We had perfect weather and enjoyed a very leisurely cruise. It was so nice to not have to keep kids occupied, fed, dressed, doing their chores, etc. We could just focus on each other and enjoy some alone time. We did of course hang a little with my brother and sister in law as well. It was great to have their familiar faces at the ports. Of course get ready for picture overload.

 Our first perusal of the boat and we find a Dave C. glass piece. nice!
 the "Crystal Atrium" had a nice stained glass and icicle ceiling
 ah the Seattle sun! what a great day for a cruise
one of the entrances to the three story Stardust Theatre
The next day was our day at sea as we made our way up to Juneau. We hit the gym and got used to the layout of the boat.
 Oh what a night! Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons Tribute, who is that sitting behind us? lol
 the inside of the Theatre
 We all had a crush on "Nick". He sang in falsetto most of the time. =) He was the youngest AND the cutest.
 Just so you know, Monday was also Dress up Night. Mishael has a picture of Jer and I together but I, like a moron, forgot to hand my camera over so you get a shot of me dressed up and ready in the cabin before we went to dinner and Jeremy drinking a long island iced tea at the dance party after. Yes, people we actually got on the dance floor. Historic. 
 okay I helped him with the tea and the second glass was Ginger Ale. Bottoms up!
Tuesday is Juneau!
 just a few of the buildings
 Salmon! 
 We caught a bus up to the Mendenhall Glacier. We had a funny local driver who filled us in on the local landmarks. Apparently Juneau has a Costco, Fred Meyer, McDonalds, and Wal-Mart. So, Natalie you MIGHT be able to survive here. No Target though. Problem.
 We decided to do the two mile round trip hike to Nugget Falls. It had this great sand spit that came out from the base where everyone could hang out and take pictures.





Just love the colors. So pretty.
The Red Dog Saloon was hoppin'! Had to take a pic. We got a great latte and bowl of clam chowder at a little sandwhich shop on the main drag.
Wanted these really bad. So beautifully done! Contented myself with an adorable little Santa one. You know I'm a sucker for Christmas decor.
Okay next day was Wednesday, Skagway!
Skagway was my favorite place as far as the atmosphere. More remote with a small harbour in a deep valley, Skagway was the main way to depart for Yukon Gold Territory. It has a great main street with a wood plank sidewalk. We did the train ride up to the summit of White Pass and got lots of cool info about how it was built and the perils of mining gold.


 cool storefront display.amazing boots, should have got more of them in the shot. They were embroidered.
 lot's of cool western style storefronts.
 the Information Building, all driftwood faced!
 trestle. no longer in use.
 train and trestle
 an old caboose donated by the railroad that people can pay $35 a night to use.
 Skagway River - the locals spell it Skaguay

sorry about the window reflection on some of these
That evening we went bowling. Yes, bowling on the boat. I swear those lines are nowhere NEAR level, and I had the score to prove it!
nice clouds
 playing with my panoramic. like all the other cruise boats docked with us? ha ha
bowling balls and one of Zack's favorite knight pictures in the Bliss Lounge
on our way up to Glacier Bay
On to Thursday which was Glacier Bay. I'll try not to bore you with pics. It was also the night Jeremy and I went to Cagney's Steakhouse, one of the upper crust restaurants on the Pearl. We went to celebrate our anniversary and I wore a cute black cocktail dress I borrowed from Nat. No pics of that sorry, but we make an adorable couple you will just have to take my word for it and our hostess was shocked it was our 10th, lol.
 "Marjorie"




 say "cheese"
 this is actually Lamplough glacier

 picking up the rangers off the boat who came to narrate our way though the bay


 "Marjorie" again
 and here. . .

 and here. . .

and one more.
We sailed overnight and arrived in Ketchican early morning
 This was at a cultural center
 "Creek Street"


 Ketchican by far had the mos active fishing scene to me. There were many boats heading in and out the whole time we were there. I wish I would have gotten some better pics.
Peacock curtain at the theatre. You can't see it very well but it was pretty. Pictures were not allowed of the show. This was the night we watched their broadway highlights. Very cool. Made me want to see Wicked for reals.
 
Also in Ketchikan we hit a wonderful gallery that was highlighting John Van Zyles art. He is an official Iditarod artist and he and his wife are local to Alaska and known as "Alaska's Artists". They were actually in the gallery that day and signing pieces people were buying. I fell in LOVE with his wife's beadwork. Isn't it amazing? So detailed, I had to go online to find this image but it was one of the pieces for sale there and soooo much more charming than the image portrays.

Finally on Saturday night we reached Victoria. Hit a hot pub called Banner and Banks. Loud, Live Music, Kilts. Everything a pub should have. Drinks all around!

 GREAT old building this pub is in
oh yeah you would have laughed at my girly drink on the tray with all the beers.
And that pretty much polished off a wonderful time!