It's north to Alaska for us: Holland America driving, Holland America cooking, Holland America cleaning, provisioning and reprovisioning...we're along for the ride with cousins Don and Lynne and friends Lori and Scott.
Our plan: meet up aboard the 788 foot M/S Maasdam at the cruise port in Seattle and enjoy two weeks together, plus a little adventuring along the way. The "way" takes us from Seattle, outside Vancouver Island to Ketchikan, up Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier, to Juneau, Icy Point Strait, across the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage, out the peninsula to Homer and Kodiak Island, up to Hubbard Glacier, back across the Gulf of Alaska to Sitka, then south to the Strait if Juan de Fuca, Victoria and....in the dark of the last night, silently into Seattle.
Yes, our traveling companions "The Ukuleles" are invited along!
Looking down at the aft pool..and...it's looking great! Sunny Seattle!
Ready to dive in....almost. Could-a, would-a, should-a.....how did I know this is the last of the sun and warm....for awhile?
Lovely and cozy room....#175!
These classic benches on the top decks are usually empty. Note to self....return on a sunny and warm day.
Time to sail away....it must be 4:00 p.m. Sharp! We find cousin Don on the aft deck with his camera....of course!
Can't resist a farewell wave to San Juan island.
Hum, morning brings...."Raindrops...falling on our heads"...and the ship's deck, and the windows, and...all around.
Our first port is Ketchikan. Plans include a morning walk about this small port and then a kayak trip.
Creek Street is really a boardwalk that overhangs the creek. Seems it's too early for the salmon to be running.
The houses lining the boardwalk were brothells in the mining hey days. Today, there is a B&B, one private residence, lots of tourist stores, and a nod to the old days with Dolly's House and museum.
Oh my! Look! Orca Corn!? What a perfect food for Orca territory. But on second thought, shouldn't this be Humpback Corn in SE Alaska??
Of course we have to visit the harbor in honor of transient boats cruising Alaska.
Summer! Even in the less than sunny summer weather. Wait. This IS Southeast Alaska! And, it's June!!
We have a 12:15 trip scheduled with a kayak company we found on line with the travel tour broker Viator. Our confirmation email said to wait on the dock and look for a person holding a yellow kayak paddle. Right at 12:15 we find Jillian holding a paddle at the appointed spot. There is one other couple as well, and we are off on the path to the kayak dock.
The "office" is a refurbished cruise a home boat and we are issued gear for our trip. That would be rain pants and jacket, life jackets, and a spray skirt. Silly me. I manage to clip the life jacket up in the wrong way??? What? (Didn't feel like telling Jillian I had been suiting up folks in life jackets for many years....)
Go figure?! How many times have I done this???
We get some excellent instruction on the dock, load up into double kayaks...(yikes! Give up some control!!??) and head out up Creek Street, this time IN the creek! Then we paddle across the channel and in and around the surrounding islands.
Here's Jillian with the paddling position demo.
Captain Steve waiting for Captain Nan.
There is a lot more water in the creek this afternoon, thanks to a tidal exchange today of more than 15 feet!
We had a great time. Jillian was full of lots of local knowledge about the area.
After many years in "the tourist guide business" I know a good guide when I run across one! Thank you Southwest Kayaks for a great afternoon on the water!
As it is with cruise ship travel, we head out of Ketchikan Harbor by 5:00 p.m. in the company of a few other vessels, however, they are heading back in after a long day on the water.
Good night Southeast Alaska!
Tomorrow we meet a glacier....up close and personal!
