Alaska Cruise- Day 3

Most of the morning was spent making our way to Juneau. We were scheduled to arrive at 11 a.m. I wanted to get up early to see the ocean and the islands that we would be passing by. I got up at 5 a.m. and the sun was already up but it still created some great early morning shots. I saw a few porpoises  and a whale in those early hours. The mountains rising up from the ocean were majestic as we continued to make our way to Juneau. Eventually everyone got up. We went out on the seventh deck and watched as the ship passed by the mountains with their wisps of early morning fog.  

We finally made it to Juneau. We had traveled 1,009 miles form Seattle We watched as the ship pulled up to the port and looked at a bald eagle in a tree just beyond the dock area. As we were looking we heard a bang and then Cindy made a startled scream. It turned out that the deck below her fired a small rocket with a rope tied to it at the dock. The dock workers reeled it in and each rope was tied to a larger rope until the large rope that would hold the ship to the dock was brought in.






















We had lunch and then went to catch a bus to the Mendenhall Glacier. The normal fair is $16 round trip per person but we made a deal with the many vendors wanting your business for $13 per person. It saved us $30. The bus driver was a school bus driver from Boise who came up here on a whim. She was very funny and I become known as "10" because of the ten people in our group. We were dropped off and then started on the trail to the glacier.

Mendenhall Glacier is 12 miles long and at the lake edge is 2000 feet wide and 70 feet tall. The blue color of the ice in the glacier is really beautiful.

 

Next to the glacier is Nugget Falls that is the end of the hiking trail. It is amazing how much water is pouring into the lake from the falls.

The lake has small icebergs in it that have broken off from the glacier.

We had one final look at the glacier as we headed for our next adventure.

 Maddie and I went to do a zipline on Douglas Island which was across from Juneau. The other 8 went on a whale watching tour.




We went on a small boat across the channel and then were outfitted into our gear and then transported by this monster truck up a very steep hill to the zipline site.

The area is an old gold mine site that closed in the 1930's and is now naturally revegetated. Each zip line was from tree top to tree top.

We would land on a platform, worked our way around the deck high up in the tree and then did the next zipline. Only ten are taking on a tour at one time because of the platform size. The highest point was 180 feet above the ground. It really was a fun time.
























We also had two bridges we had to cross to get to some other trees. Once we reached the end of the course we had to be lowered down out of the tree.

 

It was then back across the bay to Juneau. 

Cindy and the rest of the other group were not back yet so Maddie and I walked around town.  There are some small alleys with tall stairways that lead to homes. I would hate to have to carry groceries to those houses.

It is really interesting to have a town and then waterfalls in the background. It really started to rain and Maddie and I wander stores until the rest of the group arrived at about 9 p.m. We then got on the ship, got something to eat, watched a show and then went to bed as the ship headed for our next destination. 

Alaska Cruise -Day 2

Today was spent all day at sea. We traveled over 750 miles Saturday night and all day today with the Pacific Ocean on our port and the various islands on our starboard. (How is that for ships language?)














There were enough activities going on that we kept busy. We ate, played some trivia games, and then watched fruit carving in the central lobby. It was amazing what they crew could do with normal fruit.

We ate again and then explored the children's area of the ship. Since it was noon time it was closed but we took advantage of the hula hoops and had our own fun activities. Maddie did multiple hoops on her foot to create a jumping routine and Shannon worked on her neck with multiple hoops spinning.

After this event and some time spent reading the grandkids got into the pool again along with some of the adults. Connor was fearless in the water which was a little scary. Payton was getting very confident with her water wings.

That evening was our formal dinner which was very nice. It was also an opportunity to get a nice family picture. You can judge which picture was the nice one.

Our Alaska Cruise- Day 1

June 1st was the day we all had been waiting for. It was the day we left for our Alaska Cruise with the entire family and Nancy. We had invited others but they chose to do other things. This year was the time to go so we could take advantage of Maddie's one year discount having worked at the Princess lodge last year. The room for four which had Maddie, Nancy, Cindy and myself cost $1444. By comparison the other room of four people cost $2750. The week at home had been cool for this time of year which made a great preparation for the cruise. We loaded the back of Nic's truck with luggage for ten people and then everyone but Nic and Shannon's family got into the Durango and off we headed for Salt Lake.

We unloaded all the luggage at the curb along with all their occupants. We used the skycaps for the luggage so that everyone did not have to hassle with the luggage while Nic and I parked the cars. Even though we had plenty of time at the airport Cindy slipped and fell and hurt herself which then delayed her, Maddie and myself to be the last ones to board because we had to get information in case we needed to file a claim. She was limping and left a trail a blood from her finger on the airport floor. We did make it on board and headed to Seattle. We were at the back of the plane so we were able to get better attention from the steward who gave Cindy an icepack for her knee.


























Once we landed the plan was to get a minivan and load all the luggage into it so everyone could take the train into Seattle. I would unloaded the luggage at the ship so they did not have to worry about caring it with them. I would then meet them downtown and shuttle them to the ship which was two miles from downtown. It took forever to get the van. The group could not leave until I returned because they were watching the bags. Finally we were all on our way. I got the bags checked in at the boat then went downtown to find the nine others. It took a while but finally I made contact and all ten of us fit into the six passenger van. By the time we got to the ship it was 2 and the boat was scheduled to leave at 4. Some quick math and we realized I would not be able to take the van back to the airport, ride the train and then catch a bus and be on board before 4. So we revised plans and I drove the minivan to a LDS church and parked it in their parking lot for the week and walked the two miles back to the boat. It was a beautiful walk back through a nice suburb on the bluff overlooking Seattle. I came to the Magnolia Bridge and had a great view of the ship and downtown Seattle. I made it to the ship by a little after 3.

 Once on board the ship we all could relax. We took pictures of the skyline and then watched as we left the port.

 Once we were underway we had dinner and then several went into the heated, covered pool area. This would be a favorite area for Connor and Payton throughout the trip.

Memorial weekend

The Memorial Holiday weekend is a time to get together as family. Of course we go out as a family and place flowers at Gaven's grave. My family does such a wonderful job of have beautiful flowers and remembering him.

 On Monday we had a family cook out and then went and played miniature golf. We were surprised that it was not crowded. Payton and Connor did their own thing golfing but they had fun.

 The end of May is also the time when the flowers are in bloom, even the cactus. The Austrian rose has its cinnamon smell and it is a great time of year. 





















I also had to take a picture of Ember at here six month celebration with the family. She has grown over the last six months.

30, wedding and green in May

This last week was an eventful week. Cameron turned 30. It is hard to believe that he is 30. It was not that long ago that we welcomed him joyfully into our family as a baby. Cecelia had a surprise party for him at her parents house. They had a banner that he ran through for making it to 30. He and Cecelia are so good for each other. We are happy they found each other.

 On the 18th, Tyson and Jerica were sealed in the Logan temple. It was a rainy day but that did not stop the celebration.

Maddie watched Payton and Connor while we were in the temple and then when we were done, her roommate from Alaska, Elisse met her at the temple since she lives in Logan. They spent time catching up on what has been going on in their lives. 














 
By Monday evening the rain had stopped and the sunset was beautiful. It made everything so green. Even our garden with its spinach, radishes, peas, beets and carrots were doing great. It is so good to go out each morning and make a salad for lunch from the garden.

Mothers Day

Last year Maddie and I were in Calgary for Mother's Day so it was good to be home with Cindy this year. This week was also teacher appreciation week. Her door was decorated by one of the mothers and it was a nice tribute for all the work she does with those kids. She has had a good class this year.

For Mother's Day I made breakfast for Cindy, she got presents, I made dinner or her and my Mom.

Cindy got an ice tray since I have not hooked up the ice maker to the fridge yet. She did not like this gift as she thinks I won't ever hook it up know. She then got this nice card from Payton for Mother's Day.