Retirement

Have you ever wondered what retired men do?


Need I say more???

Race for the Cure

Otherwise known as "Trotting for Tits." (according to Dad)

Alanna, Vera Reynolds and I got up early to catch the ferry into Seattle for the Race for the Cure. It was so impressive to see the amount of people who entered this race and the support there was to find a cure for breast cancer. We did the race in celebration for Mom, Mary Ellen and Suzanne. As I looked around and saw everyone there with one goal in mind, I became emotional. I felt like I was honoring Mom and all she had gone through with her battle against breast cancer. My dream is to one day do this race with all 3 of my daughters, and my granddaughters, as we push Mom in a wheel chair. We could wear shirts that say 4 Generations racing for the cure. I know Mom would love being a part of this event and feel the excitement and love that was so prevalent. It's hard to describe the feelings I felt. I thought a lot of Mom and what she went through, how this disease can possibly run in our family and could affect my daughters and granddaughters and their families, if no cure is soon found. It was a day I will remember and a tradition I hope to continue to do for many years to come. Thanks Alanna for being my hero and asking me to do this with you. Thanks to Mom for being the survivor and showing us that it can be beaten. Mostly Mom for the positive attitude you showed through your battle. I know it wasn't easy but you taught us so much.

Check out the following link to see the news broadcast. Right after the little girl, Hannah, talks you see three people waving on the left hand side. That is Me,Vera and Alanna!
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/20632534.html?video=pop&t=a

aboard the ship

Each night the stewards would turn down our beds. They also would leave chocolate on the beds and fold the towels into different animal shapes. We took a class on towel folding so we are now experts in the field of folding towels (into different animals). Joel, I even learned how to fold one into the shape of a gorilla...just for you.

On Thursday night, at 11:00, Karen and I took part in the Chocolate Buffet while dad and Scott went to a comedy show. The chocolate buffet had all the chocolate you could imagine. My favorite was a banana dipped in really creamy milk chocolate (you hungry yet?). There were lots of ice sculptures decorating the room and displays made out of chocolate. Every woman's dream! The only thing missing was a diet coke to go along with the chocolate. :)

Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Our last port was Prince Rupert on Thursday afternoon. Dad and I went to a museum of Northern British Columbia for the Tsishian Indians. At the museum the guide informed us of the traditions of their Winter Feast and preformed traditional dances.

Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Skagway

Skagway is a very small town of about 800 people. In the summer the population triples due to tourism. Those who come to work in the town during the summer live in tents (this is known as tent city). Groceries are brought in every Wednesday so Thursday is the day to do your shopping. The Klondike Gold Rush is what caused this town to be on the map. The following video is a short clip from the train ride we took. This railroad was built during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. It climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles and features steep grades, cliff hanging turns, tunnels (mom's favorite) and bridges and trestles.

After the train ride we went to the visitors center and saw a movie about the Klondike Gold Rush.

Dawes...the Glacier

From Juneau we traveled up Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier. This was taken from the Endless Summer Restaurant (one of the restaurants aboard the ship). Some passengers chose to take an excursion where they were able to view the glacier close up (those are the ones on the small boat seen near the glacier). The video doesn't do justice to the magnitude of the glacier.

Second Port: Juneau

Warning: This post is rated PG-13 for some mild language

Tuesday morning we ported in Juneau where we took a tram up Mount Roberts. Dad and Scott stayed and hiked around while Karen and I do what women do best...shop! :) After we shopped till we dropped (also known as running out of money) and the guys hiked till they dropped we met at the Red Dog Saloon. The menu offered "Cheap Shit (pretty good stuff)" but we didn't partake...so we don't really know if it was good stuff. This saloon dates back to Juneau's mining era. Juneau is the capital of Alaska but not easily accessible. The only way in and out is by boat or plane. The city of Juneau is built on a hill and all the foothills of the mountains are at the edge of the water. There really isn't much land that is flat.

Juneau

Red Dog Saloon Menu

Click on the menu to see a larger image

Ketchikan

The video is the waterfront of Ketchikan taken from aboard the ship, while eating at The Market Cafe.

This was our first port bright and early Monday morning. We went to a Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show where we saw two teams competing with axe throwing, tree climbing, tree cutting, log rolling and other lumberjack competitions.

Ketchikan is known for it's rainfall, they have about 90" a year plus the snow fall. We were lucky it didn't rain while we were there. They are also know for their Totem Poles.

Dad and Scott hiked around while Karen and I shopped. We met for lunch and had some fabulously yummy (out of this world) clam chowder before it was time to board the ship again.

Ketchikan

Alaska Cruise

On May 31st we meet Karen and Scott at SeaTac airport and headed to Seattle to board the Norweigan Cruise Ship for our trip to Alaska. We stopped at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Prince Rupert, B.C. We enjoyed being served and pampered. We enjoyed all the excursions we took while on land as well as the time we spent on the ship. It was a great way to spend time visiting with Karen and Scott and not having to worry about cooking meals and cleaning up. There was always plenty to do and to see. We recommend a cruise for the perfect vacation.

This is one of the resturants called the Versailles, that was on the ship.

More pictures and text will come later as I learn how to do videos. This is just a small sample of the fun we had.This is the elevator from the foyer of the ship.