SEATTLE
We had such a great trip together in August. Les had wanted to do the Inside Passage in Alaska forever. You could say it was on his "bucket list". So we went with a few of his former
acquaintances from Colorado, most of who were former
classmates at
Alamosa High School. Because I haven't blogged for forever, I apologize, I forgot to reverse the order of the pictures. So the last of our
journey is first on the blog. We started and finished in Seattle.
When we arrived back in Seattle, we had a few hours to kill before our plane left. So we decided to go to
the Ballard Locks, where ships enter and leave this area. They let a few boats in then raise the water to let them out to the ocean and raise it to let them in the port. It is fascinating to watch them do this. You can see the water level is higher in the back.
Here is a view of the boats in this channel. We had a wonderful fresh crab cocktail here! Delicious!
We also drove up to
Bellview to see the temple. But because it was Sunday, the gates were all locked. This was as close as we could get. Such a beautiful spot.
VICTORIA
Our stop in Victoria was very short. A quick tour of the town and a short time at the Buchardt Gardens. We have been to Victoria before but never seen the gardens. It was in the evening. So we were there for the weekend fireworks, which was fun to see. However, not as much light or time to spend studying the gardens as I would have liked. Everything is so beautiful there. It is breathtaking.
I loved this trellis made of wood tree trunks on the way to the rose garden.
The sunflowers were gigantic! Amazing!
They pay such attention to detail, and everything just
flourishes!
The Empress Hotel in such a classic sight! I just wanted to stop and have afternoon tea there!
Les took this shot of another ship going by on our way back to Seattle.
SKAGWAYOn our way back from our excursions in
Skagway, we came up close to the ship, and here was
someone playing the bagpipes. It was so picturesque! Loved it!
This is a shot of the end of our Princess Sapphire Ship. It was a great cruise line. We loved it and would choose the Princess again!
While we were waling the streets of
Skagway, who should we run into, but to young Elders. One from Syracuse, Utah, and the other from North Ogden or Pleasant View. Small world!
We really enjoyed this little town, it had boardwalk sidewalks, and just a real homey feeling
to it.
This is a picture of Jerry Carroll and Les standing in front standing next to a Crown Victoria "55" Ford. Classic!
I loved the architecture of this Library building in
Skagway.
TRAIN RIDE IN
SKAGWAYWe took the train ride in the White Pass Railway up in the mountains. It is just breathtaking. We enjoyed it so much. Except for the part when the train had problems and stopped temporarily in one of the tunnels. It was pitch black. We couldn't see anything!
This is a picture way up in the mountains all the way down to the ocean, were a
cruise liner is docked.
This is an older part of the tracks that had been redone. No longer in use
This is the summit. Which actually goes through a part of Canada. So their flag is also posted here.
Our conductor.
This gives you an idea of the size of the
grizzlies in Alaska.
Sarah
Palin was actually born in
Skagway, so they claim her. They even have a Sarah
Palin store.
JUNEAU
This is the
Mendenhall Glacier.
A picture of Les and I on our "whale watching boat". We did see some whale tails. But I was not quite fast enough on the trigger get a picture. It was a fun outing. We met a very nice family from New York on the boat. A couple with their two college age boys.
While traveling through Tracy Arm, we saw pieces of ice from the glaciers.
KETCHIKANThe houses are small and quaint. It has a population of about 1100.
Sarah was everywhere!
Les couldn't resist posing in the Mackinaw hat he found in one of the shops.
This town is famous for all of these amazing totem poles. They are all handcarved, a tradition that started, telling the storyof these people back in the 1800's.
Les said he had always wanted to have his picture taken as the "low man on the totem pole". Now we have it!
All of these toem poles stand for something, prosperity, wealth, family. It was very interesting.
Here is a picture of the master carver.
We also saw a Black Bear running off and lots of Salmon.
This is a picture of our Captain Gaptar Germain from Austrailia welcoming everyone aboard!
Our first dress-up dinner in our Vivaldi Dining Room.
We ate dinner with this same group every night. They were hilarious! Melvin and JoLynn from Houston ,Texas. Jerry and Marsha Carroll, and Les and I. Our wonderful waiter was Andrey.
SEATTLE
We love Seattle. When Les was consulting, we had many trips to Washington. So we wanted to spend just one day seeing Seattle again. It was a beautiful clear blue sky day! Love all these flowers atat the Market!
We ate lunch at the Crab Pot on the wharf.
The Pike Street Market
We had such a wonderful time together. It was 10 days of heaven. We were together 24-7! And loved it! Thanks Les for puttig it all together adn making it so memorable!
