CRUISE
TO ALASKA
In August Robert and I enjoyed a cruise to Alaska courtesy of our kids! Kathy
and Tim bought the tickets. Chris and Patricia watched the dogs—all a gift
for
our
30th wedding anniversary! We were both totally blown away.
There was more. On our first formal dinner night, we were further surprised
when our waiter brought us a cake of congratulations and all the nearby
waiters gathered around our table to sing happy anniversary to us. We
are sure Kathy must have arranged this!
The timing for this cruise couldn't have been more perfect. We
were scheduled to board the ship the day after our annual end-of-July
Gray Puckett Ellingson
family reunion which happened to be in Washington this year. Why is
that good? Because the cu rise
sailed out of Vancouver, Canada, an easy drive away. Plus, in that part
of the country, late July and early August is the best time for good
weather. In fact, our cruise captain told us in the 30 years he has
been on the Alaskan cruise, the weather was the very best he has
ever seen.
Our cruise lasted one wondrous week with basically only a
couple of days or so at sea going and returning. All other days we enjoyed
at ports of
call
in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, Alaska. We took a hike to a glacier,
rode a tram to the top of the mountain, took a train into Canada, viewed
with open mouths the Hubbard Glacier, mined for gold,and every time we
left the ship I enjoyed posing with the costumed moose, bear,
and eagle.
Robert did his own posing, back on board, with celebrity: Bowzer (formerly
of Sha Na Na). More on this.
While on the ship, we ate goads of goodies at the chocolate
buffets, ate four meals a day, one of which consisted of ice cream
and cookies only, enjoyed an ice sculpting demonstration, almost stood
up to sing
karaoke,
looked forward to towel sculptures on our bed each evening, took in all
the amazing art and sculpture throughout the ship, attended many entertaining
shows, went to movies, and laughed at comedians Ed Regine, Yacov Noy,
Roger Behr and, of course, Bowzer. Robert actually went up on stage during Bowzer's performance
to enter a hoola hoop competition! I found out afterwards Bowzer is
one of Robert's absolutely most favorite stars. Robert was thrilled to
pieces. Yes, he did get Bowzer's autograph and yes, I took a picture
of Robert with Bowzer.
After this, our very first cruise experience ever, we are now hooked.
Going on a cruise is the greatest way to vacation! There is virtually
no worry about transportation, entertainment, comfort, where to shop,
designated drivers and most of all, where and what to eat. We enjoyed
ourselves so much we have made reservations to go on a cruise again
in 2005; this time to check out the British Isles!
Thank you to our wonderful kids for one absolutely, amazing vacation!!
We didn't want it to ever end.
Photos
|