Saturday, September 7, 2019 Maine to Seattle

ME – Seattle, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019

We have been planning this trip for about 16 months but it has been an idea of mine since nearly forever.  Alaska was the first state to join the union in my lifetime.  (Have I mentioned yet that I’m getting old).  It was certainly newsworthy at the time.  I’ve enjoyed learning about its history, culture, flora and fauna over the years.  I know many who have visited and met folks who have lived there.  This seems like a great way to get an overview of at least coastal southeastern Alaska.  I get that this could be likened to visiting Kittery, Camden and Calais, ME and saying you’ve visited Maine!  So especially in the coming years when I tell my tales of Alaska, I’ll try to keep that in mind.

Last week we kept our eyes on the news following the track of hurricane Dorian.  It is always a relief to have a hurricane pass far enough away from our Florida home to not cause any problems.  But, it is so very sad to see the destruction that is caused where it does make its impact.  As it turns out we departed Hampden, ME this morning during a steady rain delivered by Dorian, a then category 1 hurricane headed to the Maritime Provinces of Canada.

Allan and I drove to East Madison, ME to pick up the original planners of this trip, our good friends, Dave and Sue.  This trip is part of her 50^th birthday celebration year.  They told us their plans for this trip in the spring of 2018 and we welcomed the opportunity to join in the fun.  While we were at their lovely home on Lake Wesserunset this morning, Allan remembered that he had forgotten to empty the kitchen trash.  I realized in my excitement to get started I had left without a belt.  A quick text to our son, Jake, and the trash issue was addressed and a text to cousin Laurie and fingers crossed she could come up with a belt for me.

From the lake we drove to Portland, ME.  Lau had a belt for me.  (Thanks Patrick).  She got us to the bus station and is keeping the truck at her house while we are gone.  We caught a Concord Coach, which delivered us to Logan Airport in Boston.   

We departed at 7:30 pm via JetBlue to Seattle.  The flight was 6 hours long.  We lost 3 hours to time zones so arrived at 10:30 pm Pacific time.  

However, the airport here had been experiencing storms.  They had power issues and hadn’t been able to refuel airplanes.  We waited in the plane for quite some time before the plane at our gate could get fuel and exit the area.  This was followed by an extra long wait for our luggage.  We are spending the night at an airport hotel but had to wait about a half hour before the shuttle arrived.  Once at the hotel we made arrangements for another shuttle to the dock at 9 am.  After a long day of traveling we happily hit the sack at about 1:00 am.  (4:00 am eastern time).

Sunday, September 8, 2019 Seattle - Off to the Pacific Ocean

We were anything but sleepless in Seattle!  After a great night’s sleep we were ready to catch the shuttle for our 10 am boarding on the Norwegian Bliss.  

At the curb you leave your luggage, tagged with your official cruise tag.  Then we proceeded to customs and check-in.  During check-in we were issued ID cards for use on the ship and a boarding card that said group 16.  There were no lines and all went smoothly. Next, we waited in a large room with hundreds of others.  It wasn’t long before our group number was called to enter the ship .  Once again our passports were checked before we walked onboard.  This was our view of Seattle once onboard.

We had been informed that the rooms were not ready yet and it would be sometime before our luggage would arrive.  Once on the ship we went to a bar with TV’s and football was playing.  Our FL friends Dawn and Rick joined our group.  Dawn is also celebrating her 50^th birthday year.  All these birthdays reminds me that I might as well celebrate my 68^th birthday month.  Not sure that’s one that folks particularly celebrate but I’ll just go with it.

As dedicated Patriot’s football fans we initially thought we might watch their game at this bar.  However, after lunch, Sue did some research and determined that we would switch locations to watch the 5:00 game.  We made rendezvous plans and checked our room and found it ready. 

We tease that we are in “steerage”.  Our cabin is on deck 5, not far above the waterline.  We have a large window, no balcony.  My thought was that this is an Alaskan Cruise in September why would we need a balcony.  Our friends are far above on levels 10 and 12.  Yes, they are experienced cruisers not novices like us.

Our cabin has a lovely full bathroom with tub, queen sized bed, a daybed and lots of closets and drawers.  There is a curtain that can be pulled between the bed area and the daybed/window area.  I have yet to check out the upper deck cabins.  I expect chairs in place of the daybed.  I’ll get back to you on that.

This was our initial sea view.

We think this is the first time that we have stayed in a "hotel" with double sinks!  I know from watching HGTV that they are all the rage.

Our bathroom also has a lovely shower and tub.

It was also equipped with two TV's, five closets and six large drawers.  Way more than enough room for the two of us.

One of the nice features was a curtain between the bed and the couch area.  Since Allan goes to sleep after me and is often up before me he can hang out in that area with his porthole view, TV, computer and or book.

After getting settled in I took a quick two-hour nap!  Then we were off to watch the Pats.  Dawn shared Patriot plates and napkins left from last winter's games that we had all watched together in FL.  It was great fun viewing the season opening game with friends that enjoy football as much as I do.  It was a great game.  Thanks Pats.  This was about the time that the ship slowly left port.  It was a cloudy afternoon and we viewed multiple islands in the distance topped with soft clouds.

We opted for dinner at the Garden Café, a buffet like none I’ve ever experienced.  There were food offerings from around the world.  Everything was clearly labeled and served in containers that held 6-8 servings so they were frequently replaced.  Everything was, as you would hope. Hot items piping hot and cold items chilled.  Prime rib was the featured meal item so even with hundreds of choices we dined on beef.  It was cooked just right.

These pictures will give you some ideas on what was available:

  

  Soft serve ice cream

 Make your own.

 Drink stations, water, tea, juice, coffee...

 Yummy Noodle Soup several varieties.

  Pre-made sandwiches and salads.

  There were many Asians on the ship.

  The fruits were fresh and fabulous. 

The burger bar had burgers and hot dogs and all the fixings for you to make it just right.

 The pizza was very thin and overall got the lowest ratings from our group of all the foods.

The hot favorites were things like meatballs, stir fry vegetables, mashed potatoes, meatloaf and such.

 The soups were great seafood chowder, chicken soup, tomato soup, and there was always a variety of rolls and breads.

And let's not forget breakfast.  There was hot and cold cereal and all the usual breakfast foods.

                            

In the buffet area alone it is hard to believe that you wouldn't be able to find something to eat and enjoy for every meal.

                                      

This gal had her first day on ship and headed off to read her book and settle in for the night.

Monday, September 9, 2019 - Pacific Ocean - Alaska Bound

Monday, September 9, 2019

Sunset as the sun sinks into the Pacific last night.

I slept well as usual.   Today is a day at sea.  It is cloudy and misty. 

This ship is very new, just a year old.  Employees are upbeat and welcoming.  Everything gleams.  No dirt, dust or rust.

This morning we attended a video presentation on Alaska.  It turned out to be a poorly disguised advertisement for their shore excursions.  We learned a few tidbits but having done our research on the port cities and booked our excursions while back home we could have passed on this presentation. 

Next we attended an audio presentation on marine mammals of Alaska.  The location where it was held was somewhat loud with people chatter so that wasn’t a great experience.

I’m looking forward to taking a ride on the go-carts.   I know I have ridden on bumper cars at the Blue Hill Fair but I don’t think that I’ve ever ridden in a go-cart.  Maybe I should say it looks especially fun because a tiny part of the track goes out and is suspended over the side of the ship!  They are way up on the top of the ship so we went up to check them out.  Since it was a cool drizzly afternoon not many folks were riding.  We will save that for another day.  This is a bonus because now I get to continue to look forward to it.

I haven’t said much about the ship.  Since we are on such a low, low deck (5 of 14 passenger levels) we feel very little sway but we do occasionally hear a noise that to me sounds like when an airplane is putting down its landing gear.  

The observation lounge and eating areas are up on decks 15-16.  Up there you do feel a gentle sway.  It doesn’t seem to be an issue for anyone.  Our friend Dawn does wear a small patch behind her ear and that has anti-seasickness medicine.  The ocean is calm, no whitecaps or swells in sight.  Today the view is limited to ocean and clouds.

I am loving the concept of cruising.  You travel everyday but don’t have to make connections or move luggage.  There are multiple locations for dining.  Some are included with your passage and some are “select”.  As part of our cruise package we are able to dine at 3 select restaurants free.  Tonight we will check out the Texas BBQ.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 - Juneau, Alaska

The BBQ from the night before had outstanding appetizers.  Folks enjoyed:  crab cakes, onion soup, okra, and loaded French fries.   We were a bit full but managed to enjoy the BBQ main course.

I haven’t mentioned yet, but a drink package was also part of our cruise package.   Sorry to say that due to my dietary restrictions, I’m living life alcohol free but the others are enjoying this perk.

After dinner we found the "Beatles" playing as part of the onboard entertainment.  They did a really nice job and the room was full to overflowing.  They played several nights and some of our group went back to hear them two more times (Dave and Allan).  

Tuesday, September 10

Today Allan bought me an early birthday present of really nice binoculars.  We have wanted a new pair for some time now.  This summer I had cataract surgery.  So now I am able to use binoculars without glasses and it is an incredible viewing experience.

As we approached Juneau we viewed multiple whale sightings and magnificent mountains, some with glaciers.  We could see the whales blow and viewed their backs which, seemed to float along off in the distance.  At one point I saw a humpback tail as it dove.  I did not see any of them breech.  Allan got some great pictures but I'm sorry I didn't with my i-phone.

We arrived in Juneau on this sunny Alaska day at about 3:00 pm.  Today we have an excursion to the Mendenhall glacier planned.  We were instructed to gather in the Bliss Theater.  This was their staging area for several excursions.  Groups disembarked the ship and proceeded to waiting buses labeled for various excursions.  As we approached the gangplank we displayed our ids and they were scanned and a photo appeared on the employee’s screen. Once we were cleared we headed to the bus lines.

                                          

Our driver, Ken, a Tsimshian native Alaskan, provided a very fun and informative tour as we passed through town and traveled about.  Juneau is the only state capital in the US where there are only three ways to enter town.  By sea, by plane or by birth canal!  No roads lead in or out of town.  It is nestled on a narrow strip of land between the ocean channel and steep mountains.  You can see how small it is by viewing the map above of downtown Juneau.

At the glacier we were able to walk a short trail to Mendenhall Lake and view the Mendenhall glacier and nearby Nugget Falls.  The views were breathtaking especially through my new binoculars.

Using my trusty cell phone I took a few photos.  I noticed that people around me were on their phones.  I had service also, so being the good daughter that I am, I called my mother and shocked her since I hadn’t thought that I would be able to check in until we were back in Seattle.  Newsflash --- She’s not happy with the Red Sox but she is pleased with the Patriots.  Then I posted my first pictures from Alaska on Facebook.

Our stop was short and we didn’t have time to make the 1-mile or so walk over to the base of Nugget Falls and back.  We did stop in the visitor’s center and watch the park's introductory movie.  I also picked up a postcard for Abby, our granddaughter.  Not sure when it will get mailed.  I will have to get a stamp first and find a post office.

We got back on the bus and rode back to town passing ranch style homes (one of which was Ken’s), Juneau's one fast food restaurant, McDonald’s, a large grocery store, Costco, TrueValue, and the like.  There are 32,000 residents, 2 public high schools and one alternative high school.  Their students travel by ferry to Skagway and Ketchikan to participate in extra curricular events such as football, basketball, orchestra, and chorus.  Sometimes they host tournaments and participants fly in from afar and sometimes they fly to Anchorage for events.

Back in town we took the Mount Roberts Tramway.  It has a 1,800 foot ascent.  The ride was quick and we had a clear view of the harbor of Juneau..  At the top we walked about a bit but once again our time was limited so we didn’t stay long.  For the adventurous ones it is possible to hike up and down the Mount or catch the tram just one way.

It was soon time to head back down the tram and catch the bus back to the ship.  The huge ship looked like a toy from way up there.  Next stop Skagway, which is even further north.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 - Skagway

We spent the night at sea and the sea was just a touch roly poly.

We woke up in Skagway.  The tide was a bit low so our cabin was nearly level with the dock.  As I was taking in the view of the graffiti on the mountainside just across the dock I noticed that the window washer was approaching.  I guess Skagway, Alaska is as good a time as any to wash the exterior cabin windows on a cruise ship.

There is staff on this ship everywhere you look, spraying, wiping, mopping, and picking up dishes as soon as you put down your fork.  At the entrance to the ship as well as every bar or dining area there are dispensers of sanitizing liquid.  As you enter the buffet area there is also a person posted with a squirt bottle looking forward to giving you a squirt.  They smile and say, “Washy, washy.”  I haven’t met an employee on this ship who wasn’t smiling and very polite.

We enjoyed a nice breakfast and headed out to catch the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad with the other Smooth Oboes.  The train station is just off the pier so we didn’t have to walk far.  The procedure was the same checking off the ship and back on upon our return.  In Juneau Ken informed us that the difference between being a guest of Alaska and a resident was 5 minutes.  5 minutes late for your ship and there you are in Alaska.

The railroad has vintage cars with a potbellied stove in the front of each passenger car.  With the temperature in the low 50’s they had it lit and the car was a comfortable temperature.

The train roughly follows one of the paths of the goldmines' from the gold rush days in the 1898 - 1899.  The gold rush was over before the train route was completed but it was eventually completed and used initially by area mining companies.

This river like many rivers in this area of Alaska are runoff from the glaciers and has a milky pale mint green color due to the silt residue in the water.

      

Today's 40-mile trip to and from Skagway is limited to staff and tourists.  It travels briefly into the Yukon Territory to make a loop and then back down the mountains to Skagway with no stops.  It was an approximate 3,000-foot climb up the mountain.  In the pictures above you can see where the actual border between the two countries is located and the old border patrol office.  

In Skagway there was lush forest vegetation but as we climbed we got above the tree line and saw vast granite mountains.  We passed multiple waterfalls, crossed a couple of trestles and rode through two tunnels.  At the top it was quite flat and we passed alongside a four-mile long narrow lake that had a couple of kinds of fish in it but I don’t recall just what types they were.

The vistas were breathtaking.  At several sections the train traveled through forests and at other times we were beside shear drop-offs.  Although today was cloudy we had clear views down the valley to the harbor.

Unlike Juneau, it is possible to drive in and out of Skagway by driving through Canada. We could view the road while on the train looking across the valley.  This is the newer manned border crossing post.  Custom buildings are usually at the actual border but this was moved closer to Skagway and some distance inside the actual US border to be closer to a town.  

This is a picture of a wooden trestle that was originally part of the route.  A few years ago a new steel and wooden trestle was built and was in use today.

Allan, Dawn and Rick spent much of the ride outside on the deck between cars to get pictures.  They got somewhat chilled.

However for a good cause, I have no doubt that their pictures are much sharper and nicer than my phone pictures.

   

After returning to Skagway we wandered about town visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, the Christmas Shop, and a couple of tourist shops. 

We had lunch at the Skagway Brewing Company.  We had quite the view from our seats on the second floor.  The town is 7 blocks long and extends from the port up into the valley.

This logo on a T-shirt in the brewery is my favorite of the trip.

Don't get your hopes up. To my knowledge there were no t-shirt purchases.

While looking around in the shops I was able to find a postcard for my granddaughter, Maggie, and the shop also sold postcard stamps.  It was a lucky stop for me.  I got her a whale postcard.  We attempted twice late this summer to take her on a whale-watching trip out of Bar Harbor, ME.  The first time we were in town enjoying a picnic at Agamont Park on a beautiful 86-degree day when we were sent an email that the trip was cancelled for the day due to poor visibility and rough seas.  It was clear in the harbor and there was little wind.  It seems that 10-20 miles out it was a different story.  A few days later we returned.  It was overcast and in the 60’s.  We were on board for about 4 hours and didn’t see a whale.  We will try again next summer.  Guess we should start early in the summer so that we will have the entire summer to keep returning until we spot a whale or, maybe she just needs to get herself to Juneau!

Skagway is a very walkable little town but it was time yet again to return to the ship.

After dinner aboard the ship we attended a very entertaining musical show depicting the wives of King Henry the VIII.

It's time for bed and we are on our way to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.  

What?  Free room service!  I'll be dining in bed in the morning.
There have been a lot of firsts on this cruise and we can add room service to that list.