Day 5--Icy Straight Point

Spent the day in Hoonah at Icy Straight Point.

Went on an ATV ride a few miles up the moutain--saw a couple eagles and learned a lot about the area and local culture from Thomas, our tour guide. Spectacular scenery--no bears!

After the ATV trip, it was time for the zip line! This was the view as we began our climb to the zip line.

YIKES! It's a go!













I think we all had some nerves--you could go in groups of 5 so I went first with some other guys so I could be at the bottom and take pics--you put your feet up against the "shoot" and on a count of three, you were gone.

The first FALL takes your breath away and about 1/4 way down, you realize you're going to be ok and enjoy the ride. You steer by throwing out your arm to stay stay straight and to go slower--not much, though. It was an exhilarating experience, and we all got some cool pics! The was the highlight of the day--

Had lunch on the boardwalk in Hoonah. Fish and chips for us! Crab for C/T--D/M had enough the day before. Hoonah is an old canery that the tribes restored to attract the cruise ships. In 2007, the tribal council decided to build the zip line, and everyone except for two couples bought 100 shares in the venture. Our guide told us that the island is owned by the tribal population--it is the third largest island in Alaska.

Back to the ship for happy hour and dinner. Cosmos, on the bow of the ship, is our "official" meeting place.

Day 4--Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a very quaint town. Steve and I walked about town, visited the totem museum, and had lunch in the "red light" district (with Mary Ann). C/T/D/M went on a crabbing expedition--they got to help haul in the pots and measure the crab--and got to eat as much as they wanted! Ketchikan gets 124 feet of rain a year and maybe a foot of snow. It rained most of the day so we all had our rain gear on while the locals were simply enjoying the warm weather in their shorts and flip flops.

The main street is built on piers and totems are scattered throughout the town. The museum had several masks and button coats on display. Some of the totems were hundreds of years old. The "red light" district is built on Creek Street--the only place in the world where both the "salmon and men can go to spawn". The weather report is easy--"if you can see the top of the mountain, it's going to rain. If you can't see the top, it's raining."

Main Street, Ketchikan--tons of jewelry shops and tourist shopping.

Eagle totem in the town square--Ketchikan is famous for its totems.

Creek Street--the "red light" district--built on the creek where the salmon travel up to spawn.

Interesting area -- S watched someone catching fish off the bridge. S and I took a tram up to the top of the mountain and had lunch and took a walking trail back down to main street.

Ancient totems--LOL! Visited an interesting museum with totems hundreds of years old.

Departing Ketchikan.

Unending scenic vistas.

Cheers to another perfect day!

Day 3

Entering a straight only 1/4 mile wide!

Day 3 is cruising the inside passage and exploring the ship--mostly in the rain. Really appreciate our rain gear and wellies!

Tom?

Hmmmmm . . .

Rain and fog. Beautiful shorelines with streams and waterfalls coming down. Carleen has the sighting record with two bald eagles; everyone else--0.

Stanley are Mary Ann are the fourth couple at our table in the dining room--they are on their 36th cruise? Dar got us invited to their stateroom for happy hour. Then, as you can see, they are dining at the captain's table tonight. Us--room service; C/T/D/M had sushi!

The view from Stanley and Mary Ann's statement on the aft of the ship.

Day 2 (continued)

The ship is docked, and we depart at 5:30 pm. We can board by 3 pm.

Whiled waiting for departure, we decided to go on a bus tour of the city.

Our favorite stop was Granville Island for brews and lunch.

Finally, through check-in, we all made it aboard ship, to our staterooms, and ready for departure!

We're off!

Cool view of our hotel in the background, the dock, and the ship as we depart. Our staterooms are almost adjoining--one couple in between whom we shall call Dan and Barb.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Vancouver, farewell!

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Day 2

The view from the dock across from our hotel--WOWEE!

The first thing we saw this morning was "our ship coming in"! Originally, we would have had to take a cab to the dock some distance away; apparently they are not using that dock any more so we depart from here--sweet!

Our cruise ship coming in about 6:15 am.

Docked and the view from our room. By this time, Dar and Mike had already completed two hot laps around the dock!

The dock itself is like a huge ship. It's really cool--maybe I can come up with some more descriptive words as the trip progresses.

Carleen and Darleen checked and the hotel will take our bags and deliver directly to our rooms on board. It seems we can board about 10ish--will be anxious to finally be on board. D/M talked to a couple who just got off the cruise and they said "sun"! It was the first sun they had seen for a week. The first couple days looks to be great weather for crusing!

Day 1

4 am--YIKES!  Our flight was on time; Carleen/Tom/Dar/Mike, hereafter referred to as "the twins" had a one hour delay but made connecting flights, and we all arrived in Vancouver on time!

Vancouver is a beautiful city with a real international flavor. Our hotel is on the harbor, and we all have wonderful views. We spent the day cruising the gas light district which is the oldest part of the city. This picture is on the dock where the cruise ships dock--right across from our hotel! 

When the "twins" arrived, we went again and enjoyed a few brews from local breweries.

A couple interesting sites in the gas light district were the steam powered clock that strikes the hour, and Gassy Jack, who built the first brick hotel in Vancouver so that he'd have a place to sleep after visiting the local pubs.

The clock was a popular place. The gas light district had loads of quaint shops, restaurants, and pubs.

A few glasses of wine while enjoying the view of the harbor, and we were ALL ready for bed!

Cruise Itinerary

Through the inside passage . . .

• June 25:  Depart Vancouver
• June 26:  Inside Passage Cruising
• June 27:  Ketchikan
• June 28:  Icy Stait Point--the zip line!
• June 29:  Juneau
• June 30:  Skagway--White Pass Railroad--Klondike Gold Rush
• July 1:  Hubbard Glacier--cruising
• July 2:  Seward

Sweet!

Finally . . .

After 18 months of serious planning, we're leaving--soon! Meeting Carleen & Tom and Dar & Mike at the Fairmont Waterfront for happy hour (hours to come)! Friday--off through the inside passage on the Celebrity Millennium for adventures unknown!

Waders, repair kit, rain gear, muckin' boots, wellies, binoculars, bino managers, ruck sacks, camera, fillet knives, sharpener, kevlar gloves (for me?), hiking boots, gloves, GPS, BUG spray, ThermaCELLs, rods, reels, line, vests, reservations, trip insurance . . . automobiles, planes, ships, and trains . . . we're off. Updates to follow!