Hubbard Glacier, Day 7

(We had very limited internet on Day 6, so the Glacier Bay post will be along shortly …) Today was cold and gloomy when we started in toward Hubbard Glacier.

We again had great seats on the back deck - 

complete with wool blankets in Cunard’s colors supplied by QE’s crew - 

and none of the crowds that were standing 3 and 4 deep on the front decks. 

Fun fact: according to today’s Naturalist, light reflecting off the glacier’s surface warms the air, dispersing the fog and clouds, creating its own microclimate. 

So by the time we reached the glacier, 

the sun was out and the ice just sparkled. 

So much blue! 

This is the largest saltwater glacier in the world at 7 miles long and 265-ish feet high. 

The only way to see it is by air or sea - there are no roads in the area. 

View from the bow.

Hubbard is also one of the very few (7-ish?) glaciers that is still advancing. All the ones we saw in Glacier Bay are receding, as is Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau (at a rate of 40 feet a year!)

Tomorrow we visit Haines, with Juneau scheduled for the next day. Crossing our fingers the great weather continues.

Sitka, Day 5

 Sitka was blues and greens and peaceful,

with lots of open water and forests all around us.

As promised, hubby went from a big boat

to a tiny one (in comparison)

for an afternoon of volcanoes,

sea otters,

humpback whales

bald eagles

and eaglets. (That nest is so big it’s bending the tree!)

The tour group was barely back on board

before we cast off and got under way.

See ya next time, Sitka. Tomorrow we’re in Glacier Bay!

At Sea, Day 4

Today was our first at-sea day as we traveled slowly up the coast of Canada toward tomorrow’s port call in Sitka - where we’ll leave our big ship to get on a small ship and go whale and wildlife watching. 

Bailey’s and hot chocolate in the lounge after dinner

Tonight was the first of two formal dinners and afterward 

we took advantage of the beautiful settings and professional photographers to get pictures of us all together in our fancy duds. 

Those shots won’t be ready until tomorrow so we did a few iPhone pics too.

We clean up pretty good!

On Board, Day 3

Our boarding time was supposed to be after 2:15 today but we checked out of the hotel at 11-ish . . .

and when the taxi dropped us at the terminal before noon, we just kept following the signs, through check-in … and Customs … and security … almost onto the ship without stopping.

Aft view of Canada Place, aka the dock

The gangway opened at 12:30 and we were in the first group to board. We had checked out our (very nice!) cabin and were in the Lido having lunch by 12:48. Sweet!

Forward view from the balcony

The ship got underway about 5, just as we were getting ready for our 5:30 dinner reservation. (Have you noticed cruising is all about the food??)

Tomorrow is an at-sea day. Can’t wait to explore the ship and relax. And eat. 

See you again in 11 days, Vancouver!

Vancouver, Day 2

 Today was spent wandering the streets by the waterfront,

 Carolyn, Vickie, Richard

in the perfect weather,

waiting for our ship to arrive tomorrow.

The whole gang

Back of our hotel, seen on our after dinner walk

Alaska Trip, Day 1 - Vancouver

Today was travel day - we left the house at 0200, got to LAX at 0300, waited for ticketing to open . . .and security to open . .  for a 0600 flight. So early! But we were 3rd in line for security and sailed through TSA.

Dark and deserted at 3 am

Views from the plane: Mt Shasta, Crater Lake, Mt St Helen’s and a thunderstorm over Washington state. 

Vancouver airport was the same - almost no one around when we landed at 9 am so we flew through customs and passport checks. 

Breakfast on the plane

Our hotel is in downtown Vancouver, about 3 blocks from where the cruise ships dock. 

We took a walk in the light rain while waiting for our room to be ready, admiring the skyline, docks and the ENORMOUS Princess cruise ship. No desire at all to sail on something that big and that crowded. 

Tomorrow we’ll (hopefully) meet up with the Bill & Carolyn and Vickie & Rich for some sightseeing, then Thursday we sail for Alaska!

Can’t wait!

Yards of Fun

 Pop has almost finished the backyard upgrade -

dirt pit for the littles and brick patio for me. 

I especially like the decorative touch of orange. It goes so well with silly Donovans.

We’d been talking about what kind of shade cover to get when I remembered the beach tent I bought several years ago and have almost never used. 

Portable, collapsible and small people approved. Perfect for both front and back yards.