Dans Alaskan summary:

Victoria, British Columbia

Day 1- June 20

It was great to have a limo ride from the RV Park to the ship.  We did not have to worry about directions or traffic and it was only a few dollars more than parking at the dock with the Expedition.  Carolyn completed the boarding paperwork early, so it was a snap to get onboard.  We had lunch and explored the ship. Our state-room had a balcony and it is great to see the view go by.  We unpacked, had dinner, and saw a show. Heading to bed; a full day at sea ahead.

Day 2 - June 21

A full day at sea started with a brunch in the main dining room.  We then continued to explore the ship. We played mini golf and cards. Dan was the winner in both.  During cards we observed humpback whales and dolphins close to the ship. Mitch had 2 1/2 lobsters for dinner and Caris danced with the waiters.  We saw two comedians that were almost funny.  We are at the Tracey Arm Fjord and we travel back in the morning, so everyone can sleep in.

Day 3  - June 22

Today we traveled up and down the Tracey Arm Fjord.  It was wonderful to have the balcony as we sat there to watch the icebergs go by with seals on them.  We observed lots of whales and dolphins before entering the fjord. While Dan and Mitch enjoyed the musicians in the atrium, (folk singers like Mr. Olcott), Carolyn and Caris saw a brown bear (about  900 pounds) on the shore. The weather was clear and beautiful if a bit cold, but our steward gave us two extra blankets so we could still enjoy the balcony view.

Day 4.  June 23

After a quick breakfast in the Truffles dining room, we headed for our White Pass train trip.  What a view! We were moved to an almost empty car on the train and had a choice of seats. We sat on the left both up and back and were treated to the best seats in the house.  It was a clear sunny day. Even out tour guide noted how nice it was. Carolyn was a bit worried about the sheer drops, especially when Dan asked about the two train cars he observed that previously toppled  down the mountain.  It turned out that both (one this spring and one in the 70's), were pushed off the rail by avalanche.

Back to Skagway, we walked the small town and went to lots of touristy shops with t-shirts and coats (at a real  good price). A local had his Tibetan mastiff in his truck as well as a Norwegian Leonberger. Both dogs were awesome and very laid back.  Being away from our own pups made this a nice stop.

Back on ship, we had lunch and a movie (La La Land). Mitch went to a seminar for posture and picked up shoe inserts to help his flat feet...we will see. After dinner, we were bushed and went to bed (except Mitch, who went to the top of the ship to watch the fjords and glaciers go by).

Day 5- June 24

It was a normal day for Juneau- rain and clouds, or so our bus driver said as she drove us to the Mendenhall Glacier.  She was entertaining and cute - Mitch had a photo op with her after the excursion. At the glacier, we walked 2 miles to Nugget Falls and back to photo point. In the 1960's designed visitor's center, we got to touch glacial ice and see a movie about the retreat of the ice and the local Indian population.  We shopped, had lunch and dinner, played (but lost) Simpson's trivia, and Mitch and Dan went to the hot tub.  At dinner Mitch had escargo, Caris did not.

Day 6 - June 25

We awoke to Ketchikan, Alaska.  We did not have any tours today, but just walked the shopping  district.  We were not in town long, but the ship was not in port long as well. Lots of t-shirts and fleeces-well priced, so we got some. Back on ship, we lunched  and napped.  Mitch went to an ice carving demonstration. We spent a fair amount of time listening to the Traveling Nomads in the Colossus Lounge. They basically were playing Mitchell's play list.  We got their CD.  After dinner, we went to the show -Epic Rock Ballads then walked the deck.

Day 7- June 26

A day at sea and then into Victoria, British Columbia. We had a relaxing day at sea and spent time playing games, napping and having meals. We only had a few hours in Victoria and did not book any excursions. However, we did get a cab that took us all over the city and finally deposited us downtown.  We took a nice evening stroll back to the ship. We were already packed, so we just put the bags or and went to bed.

The Limo Ride back

Hello Canada!

The small shops around Victoria's waterfront.

Historic downtown hotel.

The Parliament building - was later lit up.

Around the historic downtown Victoria.

A beautiful sunset along the water - this was around 10:30 p.m.

A castle in Victoria.

Caris and her big lollipop.

Having lunch in Truffles Restaurant