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vacaciones
It was the morning of this first Port of Call when Marvin Brixey missed a step and took a fall. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital in Juneau and was diagnosed with a broken hip. God provides especially in adversity. A paramedic just “happened” to be walking by Mr. Brixey when he fell and administered first aid until help arrived. The paramedic was a passenger also. What’s the chance he would be just in the right place at the right time when his expertise was needed? Marvin had surgery the next day and spent his vacation in the hospital. But Dana, his wife, says the special care they received from the little hospital in Juneau was above and beyond and now that Marvin is back home he is healing and getting stronger every day. We are thankful for that. Many prayers are still being offered for this couple who handled this very trying situation with grace and dignity.
The next day on July 16th, we found ourselves headed for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Any ship can apply for passage into Glacier Bay but only two ships per day can enter into this ice filled wonderland. This is why you see many other cruise lines offer other glaciers for viewing – Holland America however, always offers Glacier Bay in most itineraries.
Towers of Ice were discovered by Captain George Vancouver who first set eyes on the small five-mile inlet in 1794. If you ever see this area you will never forget the impact. There’s just no place on earth quite like it. Over 3.2 Million acres of forest, inlet and shore, with mountain peaks rising over 15,000 feet are these in addition to the glaciers themselves.
Most of us were out on the open decks covered in the warm plaid blankets that were stacked on every deck for our comfort. We were eating and drinking the hot chocolate and the pea soup provided by the ship while we slowly cruised around the Bay. Park Rangers were on board explaining what we were seeing. I knew we were near the first glacier when we began seeing chips of ice floating by the ship. Some were the size of a car and hundreds of others about half that size or less. You could estimate the temperature of the water by the fact none of these chunks of ice were melting. These floating icebergs were the result of these tidewater glaciers “calving”. When the calving happens there’s a very loud crack similar to a shotgun going off and then a sheet of ice will drop in its entirety into the sea. Is there a stronger word for “WOW”?
Our first big glacier was “Margerie Glacier”. Cobalt blue and enormous – it’s about one mile wide with an ice face that is about 250 feet above the water line and 100 feet below sea level. Our first glimpse left everyone speechless. Literally – everyone was very quiet and almost whispering. Somehow like a loud voice was not in keeping with the sight.
Some of the glaciers were dirty because of avalanches, rock slides etc. scouring the valley and gathering dirt over the centuries. But dirty or not we sure knew what we were seeing.
July 17th – found us in Sitka, Alaska. At one time the Capitol and once owned by Russia. You can still see some of the intricate Russian history here. This town’s past covers everything from the Tlingit peoples uprising to the sale, (world wide), of sea otter pelts. This trade almost destroyed the sea otter population. 60 years selling pelts put them on the road to becoming extinct. Thankfully, this is not a concern today because we saw many, many sea otters swimming around our ship in every port we visited.
The American flag was first raised over Alaskan soil at Castle Hill in this town. The year was 1867.
Tours here were varied – land tours and halibut fishing and it was again raining. Jack Jackson from the Temple/ Waurika area had planned a bike ride around Sitka today since he has ridden in almost every state; however, it was not to be. Rain slick trails are not what you are looking for on a bike ride. But – other than Jack, everyone else put up their umbrellas and made their tours. Our tour was to a bear fortress that takes care of rescued bears. We also toured an eagle sanctuary where we were able to see this impressive and powerful bird up close. Looking closely into the face of an eagle is not for the faint of heart. The tour was very educational and fun but the ride out to the area was also worth a visit.
Today was also my birthday. I swore to secrecy all who knew, but thanks to Facebook at dinner the secret came out. I was presented a beautiful silver necklace from the group. Thank you – I’ve worn it every day since we returned.
We sailed through calm seas on our way to Ketchikan, Alaska and arrived early in the morning of July 18th. A few rain showers graced the seascape while we had our morning coffee out on the balcony. The air was fresh and cool, the mountains shrouded in mist, the sea port with little Alaskan town nestled into the hillside just attested to the reason people return again and again to this charming place.
Ketchikan is noted as being, “the fishing capitol of the world”. Rob Sherman along with his children Madelyn and Matthew and Wayne Laminack set out early to catch the big one. Madelyn was determined to out fish the men --- the battle was on and all caught their limit and fished up some good stories to go with them. The salmon were frozen and shipped home – the memory of this morning will continue over a dinner plate.
If you were not fishing or shopping chances are you might be at The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show . This exhibition attests to the skills of the lumberjack. This is a fun event with the laughing and cheering heard all over town.
Evenings on the great ship held its own charm. From magicians to comedians to song and dance troops we were entertained. During the days at sea there were cooking classes as well as educational talks about Alaska, the Iditarod, history and more. Days at sea were never long enough there was so much to do and if doing nothing was on your agenda to attend then the cozy lounges with big windows overlooking the sea and all it offered was intoxicating. On this cruise we were never very far from land thus offering views that you often see on postcards. And of course, there was always the occasional whale popping up.
Our last Port of Call took us from Alaskan waters into British Columbia, Canada to the elegant city of beautiful Victoria, situated on the southeastern tip of Vancouver Island. We arrived late because of strong currents at sea that impeded our progress : therefore, our tours were later than usual. The most booked tour was to see Butchart Gardens in the evening with 55 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds with over 700 variety of flowers in full bloom. A late night tour of these gardens seen illuminated with thousands of lights was a beautiful ending to our trip and was especially entertaining with the live music from the band entertaining in the open-air theatre on the grounds. Their sounds drifted over the gardens this evening bringing an atmosphere of peace to go along with the beauty of the flowers. Time to take a deep breath and enjoy this piece of paradise. I could have stayed longer but it was time to return to the ship and pack, because tomorrow we would arrive back into Seattle and fly home.
Last dinner, saying goodbye, packing, lots of hugging and one last walk around the deck are all part of the departure procedure. Suitcases closed and placed outside our door before midnight and falling into bed for the last night’s rest before facing flying home.
July 20th – breakfast was served as usual. Disembarkation is done like clockwork. You have a color coded tag on your bag which has been removed from the hallway outside your cabin door over night while you sleep and put into a warehouse (styled out by the color coded tag) and ready for you to retrieve. You leave the ship when your color is called allowing you to wait comfortably in your stateroom. We walked off the ship for the last time and into the terminal to collect our luggage and find our transfer coach to take us to the airport. SEA/TAC is a big international airport – this took some time.
Flights home were-- as flying always is these days – an event in a different category. Some arrived home without hitch and then some of us were on flights that barely made connections requiring running through the airport. Beep, Beep! But everyone made it – some – (my group coming into Lawton) barely. We were starving – no food since Seattle but besides that we were a happy bunch. Started out that way and came home that way. Laughing was still being heard and oh my – how we all treasure the memories and spending unfettered time with friends & family. That’s the best part of these group trips and in addition to that I can now say with confidence our 50th state of Alaska is alive and well and so are we. I am thankful!
Thank you for traveling with me.
Jennifer Carroll/ Trade Winds Travel
Group Trip 2019
Note:
I began my travel agency in Walters in 1991. The first group trip I offered to area residents was a cruise to Alaska on a similar itinerary. One couple, Wayne and Gari Laminack, travelling with me this year was also on that first trip. They have been on almost all of my subsequent trips over the years. We have seen the world together and I always know – on any trip – they have my back.
Thank you Wayne and Gari for your friendship and the memories of happy times.