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Seattle-Alaska

May - June 2022
An exciting trip- our third attempt. This time for sure Read more
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  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 11

    Denali- Walks and Cabin Show

    June 4, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Julianna and I had breakfast sandwiches and coffee, then met our guide, Alexis (Lexi). She is a naturalist/environmental scientist, and taught us lots about the habits of the local critters. The moose are BIG! We came upon a lot of moose scat. Since their diet consists mainly of bark, their poop is pretty much sawdust- which she demonstrated by picking up a piece and squeezing it. It crumbled-- dry sawdust!

    We ate bluebells, fireweed, and a special treat, spruce tips. The spruce tips are very nutritious- bears love them, and the native Alaskans would eat them as they were the first "produce" available after the long, harsh winters. We also were able to identify cranberry and blueberry plants. They weren't producing yet, but with the long days, they grow pretty fast, and become quite large.

    Again-- such beauty, everywhere. I am constantly grateful that we chose to do this land trip.

    After we completed our walk with Lexi, we decided to do another walk on our own, so started the trail to Horseshoe Lake. We did take one wrong turn, but got ourselves back on track. The view was spectacular. A bonus was that we found a shortcut back along the railroad tracks.

    We checked out the gift store, and I picked up a copy of Granite- written by Susan Butcher about one of her lead dogs. Lunch at the Morino Grill, then shuttle back to the Denali Bluffs.

    Dinner was at the Camp Show- a dinner theater focused on the history of the area. Lots of fun, great ribs and salmon.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 12

    Huskies, Views, River Float & Talkeetna

    June 5, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We all got loaded into the bus and proceeded to DogGoneIt Kennels. It's a family-run dog training place for Alaskan huskies. The husband has completed the Iditarod twice. We got really good descriptions of training techniques- and best of all, we got to hold puppies! There was a film about the Iditerod- what a challenge. The have the best outhouse ever!

    Then on to Talkeetna. There were views of Denali and continuing amazing beautifulness.

    Talkeetna is truly a quirky little town. The honorary mayor is a cat. A lot of climbers hang out there. We had lunch at the Denali Brew Pub- delicious pulled pork and brisket. We checked into the Talkeetna Lodge- a large lodge with an impressive great room, huge fireplace, and panoramic views of Denali and surrounding mountains.

    Julianna and I went on a river float-more beauty and nature-- and we didn't have to work! We just sat in this big rubber raft and Kai rowed us down the river. He had a wealth of knowledge about the mountains, history, plants, animals, and of course, the rivers.

     Dinner was on the patio at the Lodge with a great view of the mountains.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 13

    Cubby's, Covid Test, Wildlife & Jewel

    June 6, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We got to sleep in! Luggage pull at 7 am.

    Denali was absolutely clear this morning- in all its glory. We had coffee on the back patio of the lodge and basked in the beauty.

    We loaded onto the bus, and headed to Cubby's- an IGA store. On to Anchorage, where we underwent COVID testing at the conference center.

    Lunch was at the Fat Pterigan- steak and Stilton pizza for Julianna and me, and Italian sub for Wayne. She also had a cider flight which was quite beautiful and appeared to be delicious.

    We took a walk to find an ATM- success! Then to Wild Scoops for unusually flavored ice cream. I had Spruce Tip- it was strange at first taste, but really grew on me.

    We reloaded onto the bus, and headed for the Alaska Wildlife Center. We saw it on Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet, when she treated bears, Muskox and an Eagle. We saw all those plus black-tailed deer, foxes, coyotes, moose, and a bunch of other injured/rehabilitating critters who can't be released into the wild.

    Then back aboard enroute Seward, where we boarded Norwegian Jewel. One problem before boarding: we had purchased an Ulu- a rounded-blade implement used by Native Alaskans. We were informed that we couldn't take it through security and that it would be confiscated and disposed of. Our luggage had already been sent onto the ship. Yikes!!! One of our tour-mates came to the rescue. His luggage had not yet been loaded, and he offered to put our Ulu in his bag. Problem solved (and he was kind enough to bring it to our stateroom.)

    We bade farewell to our tour guide, Aaron, and driver, Bob. They made our land tour truly memorable.

    Being aboard Jewel is like coming home. This is my fourth voyage in her- New England/Canada, New York->Los Angeles via Panama Canal, Sydney->New Zealand->Sydney, and now this Alaska cruise, Seward->Vancouver.

    She's had some remodeling done. Looks spiffy, and lots of upgrades, but a few changes include less small shelf space for incidentals and a light that pops on-quite brightly (minor shout-out to Mellow Yellow) with no means of shutting it off (at least that I could find)

    Our mini-suite (now redesignated as "Club Balcony") is very appropriate for the three of us. The fold-out couch, which is prepared nightly by our wonderful steward Aquillino, is reported to be comfortable. The room is a bit larger than a standard balcony, and the shower is the full footprint of the bathtub that was replaced during the upgrade. I'm a fan- as I almost killed myself getting over the side of the tub to take a shower during some rough weather on a previous cruise.

    Dinner was in the Azura Main Dining Room. Norwegian food is good.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 14

    At Sea- Hubbard Glacier

    June 7, 2022 ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    We started the day with coffee and pastries delivered to the room. How very civilized.

    After a very busy land tour, we were very happy to have a sea day, be able to sleep later, and have a chill day.

    About 3 pm we began to cruise along Hubbard Glacier. There just aren't words...

    In addition to the enormous glacier, we saw Sea lions basking on ice chunks, and an otter out for a swim.

    We had dinner at the French Bistro- Scallops, Goat Cheese croquettes, Fruits de Mer, and Poire Helène for me, Escargots, Fruits de Mer and Maron Clementine for Wayne, and Scallops Duck a L'Orange, and a Chocolate mousse log with a lovely Pinot Noir for Julianna. The waiter also brought us a Floating Island that was quite delicious.

    Julianna and I went to the "Rock You Tonight" show featuring music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Something for everyone. Then at 10:15 we went to watch sunset. It was the first sunset I'd seen while in Alaska, since the sun set at almost 2 am when we were in Fairbanks. This was a Very. Long l. Sunset- and then it still didn't get very dark for a long time.

    With memories of another spectacular day, we turned in.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 15

    Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, and Whales

    June 8, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Icy Strait Point is a port that was established by Norwegian Cruise Line with the advice and cooperation of the Native Alaskans who live in Hoonah. The village is tiny, and is a mile and a half from the port.

    We took the trolley shuttle into Hoonah, and Julianna and I saw the sights on our walk back to the ship.

    Totem poles are everywhere. Along the way we saw a petroglyph on the side of a rock wall, depicting 2 men in a canoe. We got back to the port, which has lots of shops and some restaurants, as well as a couple of fire pit areas. I had reindeer chili, JC had a brisket sandwich and fries. All tasted wonderful, and the fries were noticeably crunchy and yummy.

    There is also a tram to the top of the mountain. We didn't have time to do that. Because...

    We boarded a boat to go whale watching. We saw a bunch of them, including a couple of soundings. Got pictures of a bunch of blows and a couple of flukes.

    Back to the ship, and Chin Chin, the Asian restaurant, for dinner. Pot stickers, orange beef, and the yummy bean curd triangles and green tea ice cream. Julianna had calamari, , and the same dessert. We enjoyed the chicken corn wonton soup, spring rolls,
    sweet-sour pork,, and coconut tapioca.

    JC and I sat in one of the lounges and listened to a guitarist, then headed back to the stateroom.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 17

    Skagway

    June 10, 2022 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Civilized breakfast-y salmon Benedict and the works.

    We took a Trolley tour of Skagway with Tabitha. The town is pretty small- 4x27 blocks. We went to an overlook of the town and fjord (apparently the second longest fjord in the world.) We had some drizzles as we heard tales of the inhabitants of the Gold Rush cemetery.

    The town has a lot of shops with artisan handcrafts. There's a fantastic quilting store with beautiful Alaskan fabric. I'm not a quilter, but appreciate it. I purchased some antler buttons for a future sweater. We found the needlecraft store where I purchased a crosstitch pattern/kit of an eagle superimposed on a native Alaskan image of an eagle. And best of all, a skein of qivuit and another of a qivuit/silk blend.

    Then to lunch- king crab- a treat for us from Julianna. We were at the Skagway Fish Company, owned by a former Chicagoan. Go Bears!

    She and I went back into town, and picked up some local brew k-cups. As the train returned to town, we saw the Skagway high-tech train warning system.

    After Sail-away, we attended a Latitudes reception (for the NCL loyalty program members.). We were graced by a rainbow.

    Dinner at the Asian restaurant.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 18

    Ketchikan

    June 11, 2022 ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    We had a leisurely morning with coffee in the room and breakfast at O'Sheehan's. We then headed down to the gift shop, as JC saw a tote and duffel that intrigued her. After procuring those and a couple of on-sale t-shirts, we went back to the room to discover that our much-anticipated excursion was cancelled. An hour and a half before it was scheduled. We high-tailed it to the excursion desk and found a substitute that looked good: Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast.

    Approaching Ketchikan we saw lots of little islands with houses. The common boats right now appear to be single-motor inflatables.

    We boarded a bus for a ride through Ketchikan to the George Inlet Lodge where we boarded boats for a nature ride. We saw a lot of eagles. We stopped to pull up a crab pot. It had a bunch of Dungeness Crabs. We learned about the crabs, got to hold them, and I tossed one back in the water. The vendor has an ecotourism license, so all the crabs need to be tossed back.

    Returned to the lodge for LOTS of crab. So good! Omigosh! And cheesecake.

    Bused back to the ship where we were greeted with hot chocolate. Yum. The hits just keep on coming.

    On return to port, we entered the building with souvenirs and crafts. One that caught our eye was Ketchi-Candies-- a company run by KIDS! We got some truffle squares and a HUGE krispie treat.

    Dinner- Cagney's!    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 19

    Sea Day- Narrows

    June 12, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    We had a lovely, restful sea day. We ended up spending a lot of the day in The Spinnaker watching the water. The senior officers had a Q&A. The ship is at about 55% capacity. It's apparently not a mandated ceiling, but rather a result of natural rebuilding and slowly increasing passenger booking.

    There was a whale sighting, (but no pictures.)

    We saw a lot of ships that I hadn't seen before- not the least of which was a lumber ship.

    We had dinner in La Cucina, the Italian restaurant. I had osso buco. It was huge.

    Then- the absolutely worst part of any cruise-- packing and bags out by 10.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 20

    Vancouver Arrival

    June 13, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Debarkation and customs- easy Peasy- then the wait for a taxi- took awhile, but no problem. We went to the Holiday Inn Downtown on Howe St. We asked if we could store our bags til check-in, and the nice man at the counter had a room (an upgrade!) for us to go to immediately. Color me happy!

    After some regrouping in the room, we had brunch at The Templeton Restaurant. A long wait- but worth it. Salmon Benefict-- yeah!

    We got 48-hour Hop-on-Hop-Off (HoHo) passes, and used it for most of our transportation in Vancouver.

    We went to the Harbor ('scuse me- Harbour) Tour and saw some lovely Vancouver sights, including our NCL Jewel, which was still inport, taking on new passengers for THEIR wonderful week. (Turns out the cruise ships have very narrow windows for arrival and departure. They can only go at High Tide because the water is really shallow- we're talking mud-flat shallow at low tide.) We saw Viking Orion again.. anchored out- again. There is an Exxon gas station in the middle of the harbor for boats to refuel.

    Dinner was at Speakeasy Bar & Grill. It sounded so promising... We got nachos- a huge plate of chips & cheese. Wayne & Julianna ordered French dip sandwiches. No servers in sight for a long time. W's sandwich arrived. A very long time- then a server stopped by the table and asked how we were doing. I asked about J's sandwich. She'd get right on it, she said. Another long wait. Then our original server stopped by. "How's everything?" I asked again about J's sandwich. A moderate wait, then it materialized, and apparently tasted ok.

    Then back to the room.    Read more

  • TravelerSeattle-Alaska
    Day 21

    Vancouver- Stanley Park & Horse Carriage

    June 14, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    We had breakfast at the hotel- really nice, but I wasn't feeling great, so I went back to the room for a nap while W & J ate. After a bit, they returned, and we decided to go to Stanley Park and take the horse carriage tour.

    Stanley Park is a lovely gem. There's a lot to see- giant western cedars, totem poles, statues, and people. There was a family from India behind us on the carriage, and the little boy kept repeating, "We are in Stah-ne-ly Park." I definitely recommend the horse carriage for seeing the park.

    We took the HoHo back to the hotel, and found a nice place for dinner. I had poutine- yum!    Read more

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