Alaska ho!

[Moonliner]

With just over a week to go, I'm getting fired up about my Alaska trip. We are flying up to Fairbanks getting a van and driving down to Denali national park. Staying there a few days to take the bus trip into the park, horseback (http://www.denalisaddlesafaris.com/) riding (wonder if they have a gold one...), and some Class IV whitewater rafting (http://www.denalioutdoorcenter.com/rafting.html).

From there we go down to Anchorage for a day visit to a glacier (http://www.matanuskaglacier.com/), followed by a four hour "26 glacier (http://www.26glaciers.com/)" cruise (http://sunhusky.com/2004summer/glacier/) out of Whittier before we board the big boat (Island Princess (http://www.princess.com/ships/ip/index.html)) for the trip down the coast to Vancouver, BC with stops for a hike/raft/train trip in Skagway, Whale watching (http://alaskawhalewatching.com/) in Juneau, and Halibut fishing (http://www.ketchikanfishing.net/half.htm) in Ketchikan.

How are your plans coming along Wendybeth?

[Cadaverous Pallor]

OMG....and here you were, envying US? :eek:

I'd wish you a good time but it's obvious you'll have one whether I wish it for you or not! :cheers:

[Moonliner]

OMG....and here you were, envying US? :eek:

I'd wish you a good time but it's obvious you'll have one whether I wish it for you or not! :cheers:

Envious? Of course! But this trip does help ease the pain a bit ;)

[Prudence]

Apparently this is the year for Alaska cruises -- I'm going the week after wendybeth, I think -- same boat.

Although my trip is free to me.

There. That's it. The only boasting I can muster. I'm soaked in jealosy over missing the 50th festivities and this is the best I can do.

You'll have to tell me how the fishing goes, Moonliner. We opted for distinctly more sedate activities.

[mousepod]

It sounds like a great trip, Moonliner. We did an inner passage cruise a couple of years ago - our only regret was that we didn't go much deeper into the state. It sounds like you're doing it the right way. Have an amazing time.

[Moonliner]

Apparently this is the year for Alaska cruises -- I'm going the week after wendybeth, I think -- same boat.

Although my trip is free to me.

There. That's it. The only boasting I can muster. I'm soaked in jealosy over missing the 50th festivities and this is the best I can do.

You'll have to tell me how the fishing goes, Moonliner. We opted for distinctly more sedate activities.

Sorry to hear that you and WB are going to just miss each other. As I remember from an earlier thread, WB hits some of the same ports as I do either a day before or a day after. I'm going as part of a larger group (about a dozen) of extended family. All together we are booked on activites from White Water rafting to the town trolly.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Alaska ho? That's not a very nice thing to say about your wife.

[Not Afraid]

I'm very jealous! Alaska is one of the 7 states I've never visited and it is a goal to get there - and soon! Your trip sounds like a perfect combination of all of the many things Alaska has to offer. I find the Glacier cruise and the whale watching to be especially appealing, not to mention Denali!

Tell Alaska Jingles I said hi! ;)

[Prudence]

Sorry to hear that you and WB are going to just miss each other. As I remember from an earlier thread, WB hits some of the same ports as I do either a day before or a day after. I'm going as part of a larger group (about a dozen) of extended family. All together we are booked on activites from White Water rafting to the town trolly.

Hey -- If I get down to the port early enough I can say hi to WB as she gets off the boat. :D

We're going as an extended family group, too -- 10 of us. My parents, my brother and his wife, my aunt and uncle, and my cousin and his wife. My grandmother's estate was finally all settled and my dad and aunt agreed to use the remainder (their inheritance) to take us all on one big family outing. As my brother said, it's like winning a game show. Everything's included! Shore excursions, tips, spending money on board -- a week free from responsibilities.

We're not doing group activities, though. We had a hard enough time agreeing on one ship, much less activities!

[Moonliner]

We're not doing group activities, though. We had a hard enough time agreeing on one ship, much less activities!

Pretty much the same story with us (except for the 'free' part). Each sub-group is doing their own excursions but we plan to all meet up for dinner each night to share our days adventures.

[Drince88]

Have a great time. Don't forget the bug spray! I think it was Fairbanks that was famous for the hummingbird size flying insects.

I did get to see a glacier when I was in Anchorage - Portage Glacier, which is down Turn Again Arm towards the Kenai Peninsula.

[wendybeth]

Sorry to hear that you and WB are going to just miss each other. As I remember from an earlier thread, WB hits some of the same ports as I do either a day before or a day after. I'm going as part of a larger group (about a dozen) of extended family. All together we are booked on activites from White Water rafting to the town trolly.

We changed our sail date to Sept 4th-11th, so I will have time to breathe between trips. I'm glad we did, because we have way too much going on right now. Today was my first day back at work, and may I say it truly....sucked. I'm glad I've got another trip to look forward to!

[MickeyLumbo]

sa-weet!

totally jealous of your trip to Alaska. THAT is exactly what i would like to do.

i hate the heat. i was at Disneyland today and it must have been 101 on Main Street.

i hope you all have a marvelous time!!:snap:

[Grumpy4]

Hey Moonliner! Have a great trip! Drince88 is right, it's Portage Glacier. It's about 45 minutes out of Anchorage, unless you're going to another one. If you get a chance, you need to stop into Humpy's in Anchorage for some Alaskan Amber Ale and some Halibut cheeks!! I believe it's on 6th street and H Ave. Just ask, somebody will know!!

Have fun!!!

[Moonliner]

Hey Moonliner! Have a great trip! Drince88 is right, it's Portage Glacier. It's about 45 minutes out of Anchorage, unless you're going to another one. If you get a chance, you need to stop into Humpy's in Anchorage for some Alaskan Amber Ale and some Halibut cheeks!! I believe it's on 6th street and H Ave. Just ask, somebody will know!!

Have fun!!!

Thanks for the tips on Anchorage. I saw the data on the portage glacier but from what I have read you can only sit on the shore and look at it. It's a bit farther away but with the Matanuska Galcier you can walk out on it and take a guided tour so that is the one we plan to visit.

[Drince88]

If you can go to a glacier and walk on it - I'd drive farther, if you can (we were limited by the fact that it WAS a work trip, and we left a little early one day so we could go see Portage Glacier).

I was reminded of the BEST Halibut I ever had was at a Brewpub in Downtown Anchorage. MELTED IN MY MOUTH. I don't think it was Humpy's (I think it was something like --- oh heck, Google is my friend http://www.glacierbrewhouse.com/home.htm)

[Disneyphile]

Bring me back an igloo!!!! (And I don't mean a cooler. :p)

[Prudence]

Eeek! We leave tomorrow and so far it's just piles of stuff on the bed (clothes) and on the mantle (other stuff.) And three suitcases that look smaller and smaller every moment.

And Ryan's pile of clothes is actually bigger than mine. No matter, I'll out do him in the shoe department.

We're supposed to have warm weather this next week. I hope so! I can't wait! Except I'll miss my kitties. :(

[wendybeth]

Yeah, Prudence!!!!:snap:

I have nearly a month to go before ours, but I look forward to a lengthy, in-depth report from you. (Hint hint). One of our shop's clients just returned from his cruise, which was on the same ship I will be on, and he had a blast.

[MickeyLumbo]

have an awesome time, Prudence!

[Prudence]

Greetings from Juneau! We're currently anchored away from the dock, waiting for the Spirit to leave. (Go already, darn Spirit!) We saw bunches of whales yesterday and especially today on our way in -- both orcas and "regular" whales or some kind.

This connection is painfully slow, so I'm going to sign off. Oooh! the Spirit is leaving! Time to get ready to go ashore!

[wendybeth]

I read on the CC boards that the Star skipped Glacier Bay last week- hope you guys get there!

[Prudence]

Eh, it's all been wonderful so far and it's been free to me, so who am I to complain? Besides, today it was in the 80s (!!!) in Juneau. The magic show is GREAT! You have to go.

[wendybeth]

Wow-that is a lot warmer than I would have guessed! I hope it can hang on a few more weeks, but if it rains, I am prepared....(got my trusty Mickey Tarp from DCA). :D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Awesomeness. Hope you're having a blast, Pru! :)

[Prudence]

This is the most amazing weather ever. My perception of Alaska is now 85 and sun, sun, sun!

As I said elsewhere, I have a belly full of a great meal from Le Bistro, a head fuzzy from too much wine, and just learned that my summer grades were probably enough to keep me in the top 10, maybe even 5%, but not so good that I'll have to accept a position on law review, which would have consumed the last of my free time.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Well, except maybe tomorrow night... chocolate buffet!

[wendybeth]

Heh heh- I busted Prudence at the CC site- she had a different name, but I knew it was her! (Everyone was freaking because the prior cruise had to miss Glacier Bay, so Prudence very graciously updated and reassured all). Glad to hear things are going so well, and I can't wait until my turn!:snap:

[Prudence]

I'm back. And instead of being all happy and reminiscing fondly over my trip, I am in the grips of a momentarily crippling post-vacation depression the likes of which I don't recall ever having suffered before. The family all dispersed, I'm back in the land of responsibility, and I feel so desperately lonely here rattling around in our condo. Despair hangs heavy. I'm sure I'll shake this off eventually, but right now this sucks. So no photos until I get over this.

[wendybeth]

That's how I felt after the B-Day, Prudence- I understand. Hope you feel better soon. Thanks for the fun updates while enroute!:snap::cheers::snap:

[Moonliner]

I'm back. And instead of being all happy and reminiscing fondly over my trip, I am in the grips of a momentarily crippling post-vacation depression the likes of which I don't recall ever having suffered before. The family all dispersed, I'm back in the land of responsibility, and I feel so desperately lonely here rattling around in our condo. Despair hangs heavy. I'm sure I'll shake this off eventually, but right now this sucks. So no photos until I get over this.

I know where you are coming from. Try posting some photos and talking about it. I feel better already!