5/13 Jeanu (joo-no), 5/14 Ketchikan (catch-ee-can), 5/15 a-sailing we shall go, 5/17 make a run for it

Jeanu
Alaska's capital can be accessed only via water or air.  No one can just jump in their car and drive over to yell at the government.  Whether this is good planning or sheer luck, who knows?  Symbolically (for the people, by the people), it kinda limps.

Anyway, it was 46 degrees and raining.  So Nancy had another sea day.

The film crew was hard at work getting final shots in multiple ship' locations.  I had a blast watching them: it was home staging with a two dimensional twist.  At one point they needed to bring a glint of light into a comfortable but dark corner of a bar.  The search for the perfect, single white rose in a small, clear vase took scouring eight public spaces and two cabins.

Oh, I remember those days.  And how great it feels & looks  when it all goes right.

In a couple of months I get to view the results on the Regent website.

Ketchikan
The day dawned cold but the skies were blue!  Out we go.  Board the bus to go take a cruise of the bay followed by a crab feast.  Once we were on the bus, they told us the legal guide - the last person in Ketchikan who could lead a land/water excursion - crushed his hand in a freak accident the evening before.

So, we were going to drive around and end up at the feast.

Been there, done that.  Twice.  We left the bus and explored the town on foot.

Coulda been worse.  One of the boats that did have a guide also had an engine blow in the middle of the bay.  They got to bob around in the middle of the bay as small motor boats rescued them a few at a time.

Apparently the crab feast was magnificent.  Just what poor starving travelers (there are only four restaurants on Marina) needed.

It was a good day.  Them whose happiness depends on expectations being satisfied can be disappointed.  Better to take it all as it comes and enjoy the salted caramel while it is on the ice cream.

Sea day
Peaceful packing, last minute filming, and, in the afternoon, lots of talking, and sailing by magnificent scenery.  Very good day.

The friends we traveled with are consistently delightful.  Their two BFFs, who traveled with them are marvelous.  LOTS of talking and future planning.

Today
It is almost 05:30.  We disembark and head for the airport about 08:00.  The coffee is hot and it's all good.

5/12 Skagway, Alaska

The great thing about Skagway is it is located in a circular harbor surrounded by medium, heavily forested mountains which are, in turn, surrounded and topped by high, snow-festooned, black granite mountains.  

I  just stand in the center of it all and feel my spirits soar up and up and up.  No pictures to share (see below), but it is well worth googling.

You see there was one small problem.

Clouds.  And fog.  And wind.  And 48 degree temperatures.  And intermittent rain.  And, did I mention 40 mph winds?

After stepping outside several times and almost getting blown over, I had another lovely sea day.  Talked extensively with the head of housekeeping.  Read.  Stepped back out on deck and ran like the dickens.

Our friend, Steve, who's idea of a good time is two weeks at base camp on Mt Everest, hiked 20 miles through the wilderness and wants more.

He's going to get it.  Today, 5/13, we are in Jeanu.  The landscape is not as dramatic as yesterday.  But the weather forecast is on par.

I'm off to find breakfast.  Then step outside and see what the day brings.

Hugs to everyone.

5/5 Here We Go Again
 

We leave tomorrow and I am almost packed!

Regent Seven Seas Cruise line.  A company we have never sailed before.....but are very hopeful about.

5/6             Fly to San Francisco, California (car takes us to the airport at 04:30 AM)

5/7                At Sea (sleep, recover from yesterday's looooooong day)

5/8                Astoria, Oregon

5/9                Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska (fjords!)

5/10              Sitka, Alaska

5/11              Cruise Hubbard Glacier

5/12              Skagway, Alaska.

5/13              Juneau, Alaska

5/14              Ketchikan, Alaska

5/15              Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

5/16              Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The best part is are joining our friends from London (okay, technically from Bexley a twenty minute train ride East of London).  And they are traveling with friends!  

So: new people, new cruise line, fourth trip up the Inside Passage of Alaska (bu then, I am a fjord-a-holic, so this works for me).

This is gonna be good!

Temps should range from highs in the 50s down to the 30s.  I am bringing a few short-sleeved, Spring-weight shirts.......but no shorts. 

Now, let's all just hope the internet onboard has enough bandwidth to load blog entries.