From Anchorage to Vancouver

DAD

Today is Sunday, June 14th. Our day started out early as our ship docked at 4am at the port of Vancouver, Canada. It is actually our last day of our Alaska adventure and adventure it has been in all aspects of the phrase. I can't thank you all for making this trip possible; it has been even more exciting and rewarding than I ever imagined.

Had an early breakfast in the Lido lounge after placing our bags to be shipped outside our stateroom door. next we were instructed to wait in a special lounge for those who would give assistance in debarking the ship. Time goes slow when you're waiting, we found out, but eventually we were wheeled to the head of the gangway to debark.

Looking back, there must have been hundreds maybe thousands waiting in line as we sailed off the ship, through Canadian customs and the American customs and loaded onto waiting bus coaches to be transported directly to the Vancuver airport where we caught our flight to Minneapolis.

Tim was there waiting to wisk us home. He had supper already cooking on the BBQ, so delicious chicken, potato salad and to-die-for skillet roasted veggies(dried tomatoes, peppers, onions, squash, etc) all done in olive oil in a wok-so delicious.

Called Margaret and spoke for a bit-so nice to hear her voice. Will be home tomorrow 4:30 pm. Great trip, but long to get back home.

The city of Vancouver is such a beautiful modern city with high rise glass sky-scrapers in the downtown area. They are revitalizing the city streets, subway, train station and other places in anticipation of the forth-coming Olympics and winters games they will be hosting in 2010. We only saw a fraction of the city and port as our bus zigzaged through the streets on the way to the airport. I would like to re-visit this city as some point; it looks like it would be exciting.

I hope some of you have enjoyed reading our blogs as much as I have in relating our experiences. Dad

Suddenly there were many voices and footfalls as a slew of people transferred this big guy onto another bed and started moving the bed down the hallway and outdoors. It was raining pretty bad, but I didn't feel it inside this big guy's stomach. They loaded us into a truck and proceeded to drive down the roughest road I had ever been on before. We bumped forever, it seemed, all the while friendly voices and kind hands tried as best they could to comfort this guy, but no one tried to help me and I was the one in trouble and pain even more than the body I was in.

I was very young at the time - perhaps only 9 or 10 years old - but I remember seeing heavy black clouds and loud claps of thunder before that fearful sound of what I can only describe as a huge freight train baring down on us as it came up the valley, then the sound of trees crashing and falling it the wake. And then everything went black as the power went out, and the next minute BAM! BAM! it hit with full force first the cow barn then the brick house and woodshed attached to it. In the barn we could hear glass windows and window frames shattering all along the front side, then one after another the large sliding barn and manure shed doors being ripped from their tracks. Buoyed by the strong wind, they were carried far off into the pasture as if they were sheets of paper. The cattle were bleating and crying out in pain and fear as they strained and struggled against the metal stanchions which held them fast as shattered glass and window frames showered them mercilessly.

TEENA

Today is our last full day on the cruise. We sail non-stop until we dock in Vancouver tomorrow morning. Lots of activities on board as well as packing and disembarking procedures we need to do.

Finally, finally saw my whales today! Dad and I were sitting in the Lido restaurant having tea when we spotted a disturbance in the waters below-a whale leaping up and out of the water, splashing down with a tramendous crash! then surfacing a few moments later to repeat his antics. The whale followed the ship for a while, giving all a great show!

An impressive and massive beast to see-such power to behold. We are making an effort to atend the formal dinner tonight as it is our last night and there will be a show with dinner (put on by the wait staff). I can't believe we are almost at the end of our journey. I know Dad misses Mom a lot (she is never far from his thougths) as I miss Tim; we both, however, have enjoyed each other's companionship and have formed a special bond that will last forever.

Just finished printing our boarding passes for tomorrow. Our disembarking time is 7:45-8:00 am so will do the serious packing this evening. Dad and I have lots of photos and stories and are anxious to share them with all who will listen to our boring travel stories. Thanks to those who rad and commented on our blog; not sure how many actually followed us this week, but I hope we were able to let the interested people know how our journey was progressing ... love, Teena

TEENA

It's end of day Friday and Dad has turned in for the night. We have a good rhythm going, Dad and I; planning the day over breakfast in our room, a morning activity (going ashore, attending a lecture, watching for wildlife topside), lunch (usually at the Lido deck restaurant) followed by some down time for Dad, then a late afternoon thingy(lecture, wildlife, etc) followed by an early dinner. Though we did dine in the formal dining room the first few nights, we've shifted dinner to the less formal (and quicker) restaurant on the Lido deck where we can choose our selections at our own pace and not drag the dining experience out for 1 1/5 hours (formal dining room).

Dad has been walking and getting lots of exercise every day so by 8pm he is knackered. Two nights ago he wrenched his hip getting out of bed during the night and was sore all yesterday, so we used the wheelchair when we went into town at Juneau and around the ship. Today he says he is much better, but he's moving a bit slow still and chose to stay on board while I disembarked. While I explored the town, Dad explored the ship, walking along the sport deck, having tea at the Lido restaurant as well as sitting on our private balcony where he read and people-watched. We always have breakfast and dinner together, leaving the rest of the day flexible.

Ketchikan, like Juneau and Haines is a small town nestled at the base of the Alaskan mountain range. I am struck again by the isolation and harshness that must be the norm for all Alaskans. Bordered by stunning snow-capped mountains and glacial rivers, these Alaskan towns seem cut off from humanity, with float planes and boats periodically connecting them to the rest of the world. They obviously rely on the tourist trade for income during the summer months as the streets lining the docks are all about trinkets, jewelry, clothing, etc (mostly made in China!) . There are some store selling original works of art but they are way, way above Dad and my price range; I'll stick to odd kitschy stuff to bring home.

During dinner, Dad and I watched a flock of bald eagles hunting; they circle, then suddenly plunge into the water to catch fish. We've seen abundant wildlife during this trip - moose, caribu, fox, wolves, bear, mountain sheep, deer - and now bald eagles. Awesome to see these creatures moving freely in their own habitat and not in cages at a zoo.

I'm not sure which is the best part of this trip; the stunning vistas of glaciers and mountain ranges or the wildlife we come upon. We've taken lots of photos (but unfortunately the crusie ship computers do not have any way to load photos from my camera onto their computer, so I'll have to wait until I get back home to send photos).

It's 8pm and Dad is asleep. I may take in the nightly entertainment or one of the movies that are showing tonight. Tomorrow is a full day at sea and I am guessing there are lots of activities on board we can enjoy. I am so enjoying my precious time with Dad. We sit together and chat or mearly watch the sunset together, not trying to solve the problems of the world, but simply enjoying each other's company. My memories of this trip will be equally Alaska's wild beauty and time spent in the company of my Dad..I am so blessed.