KETCHIKAN, AK - DAY #6

Ketchikan was a super short stop. I loved coming here because my friend and her husband (Ang and Rob) come here every year to go Salmon fishing.  After breakfast, we had less than 3 hours to explore.  We did not do any excursions, but spent our time shopping.

Ketchikan is the Salmon Capital of theWorld AND the Rain Capital of the US.  But on this beautiful September day, it was beautiful and full of sunshine!

I loved this bus boat too!  I think that this could have been SO much fun!

The view from the cruise ship

We spent the day looking for a couple of souvenirs and enjoying our time.  We also went hunting for Pepsi for Jerry for his birthday.  The look on his face when we got on the ship and he realized that they only had Coke was priceless.

Brandon and I also call our princess Kate to find out how her first day of kindergarten went.  (Our kindergarten is every other day, so this was her day off.)  She was sweet when she talked about how much she was going to love Chubbuck Elementary!  It was a good couple of minutes on the phone with her!

This was the view of everyone trying to get back on the ship by noon!  It was pure craziness!

We also followed this boat landing.  It was VERY cool!

I believe that there were a couple of latecomers that got an actual BOO when they were getting back on, so we did not depart until about 1:00 pm.  Here was the view leaving!

I could definitely visit Ketchikan again since we did not have very much time here in that beautiful city!

That afterward, Brandon and I, along with Amy and Justin went to the back pool to take a swim.  It was a pretty cool swim, but fun none the less.  We uninvited Kathy with her camera, and I now wish that we would have had her come snap a few shots.  It was fun to relax and visit.

That night after dinner, we watched Movies under the Stars - Snow White and the Huntsman.  We caught the ending, watched that first, and then started the first part.  Kind of humorous how it happened, but it also gave Amy and I a chance to visit again.  I loved those moments!  Amy & I also headed back in early too because it was pretty cold, even with the blankets!

GLACIER BAY, AK - DAY #5

Glacier Bay is one of the highlights of the Alaskan cruise.  I have to tell you that is what cool to see, but not my favorite.  Part of being in the National Park, the cruise ship cannot have any activities going on during that time.  It was 52 degrees and raining quite a bit.  I really couldn't stay out there that long for fear of freezing to death.

Brandon took a picture of me with the glacier.

I took a picture of him with the glacier.

Then, a lady came up to us and asked if she could take our picture together.  We agreed and afterwards, she told us something like this.  "When my husband and I go on vacation, there are always pictures of him, pictures of me, and by the time we get home and look through the pictures, it looks like we took separate vacations!"  We just laughed and laughed.

I'll spare you the whole roll, but here are several pictures of the scenery

A black and white view of the mountains as we were leaving

Water from the glacier making a waterfall

One interesting point that we learned was that every year, the height of this area increases as parts of the glacier slide off into the ocean.  The park ranger describe it as when you drop a bowling ball on memory foam and then lift it off.  The memory foam will slowly rise up to the original height.

After the glacier, I think that Brandon and I spent the day relaxing, napping, and enjoying the peace and quiet!

FIRST DAY, LAST TIME

Kate started her first day of kindergarten. She had been looking forward to this day for such a long time!!!  And finally, she is now a Chubbuck Panther.

Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Kelly got her ready and dropped her off at school.  I was so sad that I was unable to be there.  It was especially hard knowing that this is the start of 'lasts' for Brandon and I as our precious little baby girl is growing up way too fast.

SKAGWAY, AK - DAY #4

One of the things that we were most excited about was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway, which links Skagway with Yukon, Canada and is considered the "Scenic Railway of the World."  This railway was built in 1898 at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Brandon took to trying out a couple of the things that we had learned in the photography class.  I had a really hard time deciding which ones to share, but we hope that you enjoy a little taste of Skagway.

The painted rocks

Train and line before we boarded

All aboard!

Just leaving, we saw this cute engine and a beautiful rainbow!

George Buchanan brought up boys and girls to teach them the art of earning and saving money.  Years later, members of these groups returned to Alaska and painted "On to Alaska with Buchanan" on the wall.

Beautiful scenery

An original bridge across this gorge

American and Canadian flags side by side

Turning around and pulling from the other side

When in a cave, you are suppose to kiss your sweetheart!  Amy & Justin

Trying shooting in black and white 

Camera wars - everyone taking pictures of everyone taking pictures!

Headed back to our giant cruise ship

More ships at the dock

This quaint town, Skagway, that Amy and I headed to after lunch

I wish that someone had told us that the shopping here would definitely be the best.  Lots to choose from and because we were the second to last cruise going out there, everything was a deal ... and later we learned a steal!  I got Dawson a necklace of an okra (killer whale) there.  I had so much fun with Amy that afternoon!

The rest of a day is somewhat of a blur, so I am sure that we also got in a quick nap and a wonderful dinner!