Alaska 2015

I am truly blessed. I have been given many wonderful opportunities in my life and some that I have especially enjoyed are the opportunities to spend quality time with my parents and siblings. My dad and Lucinda generously planned for all of us to go on a cruise this summer to Alaska. We have done a similar cruise like this before but this time we experienced different parts and did different activities in the cities we visited. We began our adventure by flying to Anchorage, AK where we boarded a bus to take us to the port. The views along the coastline were so pretty. Once aboard the ship we sorted out which rooms we were in and then toured our new home. We had two days at sea where we played ping pong, shuffle board, and watched the beautiful views of Glacier National Park.

I didn't know, but I guess I have a talent for
shuffleboard. I was the shuffleboard champion!

On the second night, which happened to be Father's Day, was our first formal night. We had a wonderful mini testimony meeting together during the day and had fun celebrating my dad at dinner that evening. On the third night we decided to do something really fun; we dressed up as each other! Prior to embarking on the ship we each drew names to see who we would imitate. It was so fun to see how each of us interpreted each other. 

My dad was a good sport dressing up as Megan. Dane was Kris.

Megan was my dad and played her part to a "T."
She was hilarious! Abi was Lucinda.

I had the pleasure to dress up as Ashely and Peter was Ryan.

Kris was Kam and Lucinda was too kind in her interpretation of me.

Ashely was Abi, Kam was Peter and Ryan (not pictured) was Dane.

Our first port of call was Skagway. Last time we were here we took the White Pass & Yukon Route Train. This time, we changed it up by doing a hike and float (some of our group did a dog sled tour.) We hiked through part of the Chilkoot Trail and then floated down a glacier fed river. The hike was absolutely beautiful and our trail guide was awesome teaching us about different plants and trees native to the area. One plant, I can't remember what is was called, was used as a natural mosquito repellant and it worked well to keep the bugs away.

We had a little bit of time before our tour
so we shopped in the little town.
This is Dane trying to be as harry as Kam.

Our next stop was in Juneau. The first time here some of us when fishing while the others took a float plane over the glaciers and went to a salmon bake at the Toku lodge. This go around everyone took a tour of Mendenhall Glacier and took the tram up to the top of Mount Roberts. Before heading to the Glacier we stopped at at nature preserve area to walk through a garden of native plants and trees.

Our last port of call was Ketchikan, AK. This was the only day where the weather did not cooperate. It rained and rained and rained down on us. I forgot to bring my coat so our first order of business was to find Kam and I rain jackets. After finding just the perfect one we met up with the rest of the group for our Kayaking Adventure. Despite the rain it was a beautiful time on our paddle out to Eagle Island. On our way back the storm picked up and the wind was crazy. It was quite the workout to paddle back to land. We were able to stay dry and none of us fell out of our kayak. Sadly, we found out later that several passengers from another cruise line who was stopped in Ketchikan that day were tragically killed along with their pilot on a float plane tour. We were so grateful to have been blessed with safety.

Our last day on the ship was a day at sea. We again played shuffleboard, rested, hot tubbed, and celebrated Abi's 15th birthday with a "15" themed dinner. The next day we disembarked in Vancouver Canada. Since our flight didn't leave until later in the day we took a little tour of the Vancouver area. We first stopped at Stanley Park and then to Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension bridge. We also visited the Capilano Salmon Hatchery and walked along the Capilano River.

View of Vancouver BC from Stanley Park.

Totems at Stanly Park

Suspension bridge at Lynn Canyon Park.

A water fall into the Capilano River

This was by far one of my favorite vacations. It always helps to get away without the kids, but the time we spent bonding was absolutely priceless. Our relationships were strengthened and we just had a great time enjoying being together. It was also wonderful to be spoiled by the great staff and crew aboard our ship. We truly were spoiled by all. Thanks Dad and Lucinda for this fantastic opportunity!

With Ariel, Rommel and Homer!