Hoosier Girl – Alaskan Memories No. 6

Ketchikan was our last Alaskan stop – and my favorite.  Unfortunately, it was also our shortest stop.  We really didn’t do anything out of the ordinary here.  We did go to a fun, lumberjack show and browsed through the quaint shops on Creek Street.  I think Ketchikan just struck me as being what I really “expected” Alaska to be.  A little town along the water’s edge, with  mountains surrounding the town.  Fishermen and lumberjacks and totem poles and salmon.  I really did LOVE Ketchikan.

Throughout the town – Totem Poles of every shape and color.  All of my grandsons were the recipients of Totem Poles when Grandma came home to Indiana.

And then there is Creek Street.  Basically a street of shops and buildings built on stilts over the creek.  Lots of charm, but kind of “funky” smelling. 

One of the most “infamous” buildings on Creek Street is Dolly’s House.  Ketchikan had legalized prostitution until the 1950’s and Dolly was made a name for herself in Ketchikan.

 

 

On our way back to the ship, we came across a man who was raising an injured Bald Eagle.  She was considered an “immature” female because she is less than 5 years old and has not gotten her white crown of feathers.  He stood and talked to us and explained what she ate and how she lived.  She knows that he has a treat in his pocket – and she’s looking for it.

 

And finally, after once last scurry to find those last minute souvenirs – it was time to get back on board the Amsterdam.  By early afternoon, we had set sail.  Next stop is Victoria, Canada – 6:00 tomorrow evening.

Hoosier Girl – Alaskan Memories No. 5

Wednesday, September 23rd. Today would have been my dad’s birthday – and today, his children are going on a wildlife excursion in Sitka, Alaska.  My dad was an avid fisherman and hunter, so this day would have been memorable for him.

Sitka, Alaska is a fishing village – pure and simple.  I even saw an ad on television (after I got home from the cruise) and it was filmed in Sitka.  Something to do with dry, winter skin. 

We had to tender here – which means that there is not an area where the ship can dock.  So, the small boats come out and meet the ship and we walk down a flight of steps and onto a smaller boat to be transported to the port.  For us, we had this excursion booked – so our boat picked us up at the ship and we headed out to see some wildlife.

See how the steps just open up in the side of the ship?

… and there’s our ship, as we’re sailing away from it.

Now, this excursion was titled “Sea Otter and Wildlife Excursion”.  In the small print on the brochure, it stated that we were guaranteed to see EITHER a sea otter, a bear or a whale.  If not, they would refund $100 cash to each person on the tour.  Now, let me just say that they had their butts covered, because sea otters in Alaska are like squirrels in Northern Indiana.

The trip started off with rain and rough seas.  We were enclosed in the cabin of the boat, so were warm and dry, but the windows were fogged up and covered with water.  One of the deck hands would walk around the outside, using a squeegee on the windows. I have to admit that at first, I was discouraged.  It wasn’t long and they had spotted the sea otters.  The rain and rough seas didn’t seem to bother these little guys one bit.  These photos aren’t the greatest because they were taken through the window of the boat. 

Finally, the rain subsided, the seas calmed down a little and we continued along the shore in search of other wildlife.  Our guide pointed out a Bald Eagle Nest.  I swear, this thing was the size of a bushel basket!!

We had a wonderful guide, who really new her business.  I tried to take in all the information she shared with us.  We were sailing along, our guide was talking – when suddenly, the captain cut the engine and circled back around.  We were told that we should grab our cameras and go out on deck, but to be very quiet.  Our guides were as excited as we were.  They told us that they’d only seen ONE all summer and now on this tour – TODAY.  I almost got teary…..

 

 

We stood there on the deck for probably 15 minutes, watching him walk down to this little stream, grab a fish and walk back to the grassy area to eat.  He did this at least three times. 

After seeing this bear, I couldn’t imagine that the tour could get any better.  We were now told that they were going to start back toward Sitka, because there had been a whale sighting.  We’d just have to wait and see.

As we sailed along, our guide pointed out an immature bald eagle.  We learned that this eagle was under the age of five, because they don’t get the beautiful “white crown” of feathers until they reach the age of five. 

As we headed out into the open waters, our guide asked that everyone start watching the surface of the water.  She explained that the first thing we’d see would be the water spout as the whale started to surface.  In a matter of minutes, the spout was sighted – and my day was complete!!

We watched this guy play around for about a half hour before finally heading back to our ship.  And what a beautiful site it was.

Hoosier Girl – Alaskan Memories No. 4

Day 4 of our Alaskan Adventure – cruising the Hubbard Glacier.  I really didn’t know what to expect from this.  I mean, I thought we’d run out on deck for 15-20 minutes, snap some photos and head back inside.  Little did I know that we would be utterly entranced, that we’d spend nearly 2 hours on deck, taking a hundred photos.

The morning was beautiful – mild temps, a hint of sunshine and calm seas. 

We strolled along the Lido Deck just in time to see them wheel out the Alaskan version of Apple Cobbler.  Can you say “YUM?”

After lunch, we noticed that the temperatures started to drop and the skies clouded as we approached the glacier.  We got into our warm clothes, grabbed our gloves and something warm to drink and headed out on deck to get our first glimpse of the Hubbard Glacier.

See how it “snakes” back like a river.  Well that’s just what it is – a river of moving ice.  Moves 18’ a year.  And that “river” goes back 75 miles inland.  You think this looks “awesome” – just wait.  We sailed right up to it!!

This was how a lot of people bided their time until we got closer – wrapped in blankets on the deck chairs.  The staff even walked around with trays of hot, pea soup.  Can anyone say “Titanic?”

The closer we got, the more amazing the views.  This thing rises 380’ out of the water and another 200’ below the surface. 

As we stood and watched, we’d here a sound like a rifle shot.  It was actually the sound that was made when a piece of the glacier broke off and fell into the water.  This process is called “calving”. 

The reason it’s blue?  Has something to do with light and ice crystals and the fact that blue is the last color to be able to escape from the prism.

…and now, we’re getting close!!!

I think this was the day I felt very insignificant.

 

Fall Frolic

I’m a year behind on my scrapbook pages – thanks in part to two weddings that I’ll NEVER get scrapbooked!

Anyway, here’s Benjamin enjoying a pile of leaves at his GREAT Grandma’s house last Thanksgiving.

One Year Ago Today….

The photos aren’t so good – thanks to hospital lighting, but the scrapbook page tells it all. 

Happy Birthday to my husband and our 6th grandchild today – October 19th.

Hoosier Girl – Alaskan Memories No. 3

After a rough day at sea on Sunday, we woke on Monday morning to calm seas and our first look at the beauty of Alaska.   We weren’t the only ship making the journey through the calm waters.  This was our view as we sailed toward Juneau.  Snow-capped mountains that seemed to go on forever.

After a day when a lot of people stayed in their rooms to avoid the high seas, Monday morning brought many of us out on the deck.  The temperatures weren’t too cold and we were approaching our first port. 

Juneau wasn’t at all what I expected from a state capital.  No big buildings, taxis, congested traffic.  It was a fishing village and tourist destination, thanks to the cruise line.   We were told that Anchorage resembles any other big city in the U.S. – but not Juneau.

We did a lot of souvenir shopping in Juneau.  Met a local artist who’s son went to Notre Dame and he talked about visiting South Bend on many occasions.  After a couple hours of visiting all the quaint little shops, we were ready for some nourishment.  I know it doesn’t surprise you to learn that we headed straight to the Red Dog Saloon.  This place was PACKED!   There was some old guy in here playing a piano and singing, sawdust covered the floor and the waiters were rude and had a lot of fun with the customers. 

A bowl of salmon chowder and I was ready for our next adventure – the tramway up the side of Mt. Roberts.

The Mt. Roberts Tramway is one of the areas favorite tourist attractions.  Frank wasn’t too thrilled with spending $25 to ride a tram up the side of the mountain – but once up there, he changed his tune. 

 

There was a Nature Center atop the mountain and the views were spectacular!!

There’s our ship!!

This pretty girl was a resident of the Nature Center.  She had been shot with a pellet gun and blinded in one eye.  Her collarbone was also broke and she could no longer fly.  She was rescued and kept here at the Center, because she could no longer hunt and take care of herself in the wild. 

Uhhhh – no thanks.  I think I’ll be taking the tram back down.

Once back on the city streets of Juneau, we hopped aboard a bus and attended a Salmon Bake with some of our other “Scentsy Friends”.  This pretty girl met us at the entrance to the Salmon Bake.  For those of you unfamiliar with the breed – she’s an Alaskan Malamute.

The salmon was fantastic!!!  Cooked over a open fire with a brown sugar glaze.  They had fire pits where we could roast marshmallows.  The location was set up along a creek and this was the perfect way to end our day in Juneau.