Flashback Friday to Alaska in September

 What the heck - I gave teasers last year.  Now it's time to give the tour. So we'll call this Flashback Friday and we shall embark on our Alaskan cruise from September 2016.  Enjoy

Alaska Day 1 - prep and go

It took seven months to arrive, but Ray and I were off on his 60th birthday adventure - Alaska!  Let's back up to January 2016. The new year arrived and also a big birthday in August. What did he want to do?  Scuba, beach, baseball? After some deliberation he chose an Alaskan cruise. Now, which cruise, what excursions, gone for how long?  A big trip takes time to plan with many choices. We solicited advice and came up with a satisfactory choice. Holland America's next to last cruise in September. Two week land and sea combo - cruise from Vancouver to Seward, then Anchorage to Denali for some tundra wilderness, and return by train to Anchorage. This would certainly give us a nice overview of Alaska and a worthy adventure.  So, let's get started.

Saturday September 3rd - fly to Vancouver, Canada. Never been  there, but had the day to explore. We checked into the Four Seasons - fancy- and then walked to the Cactus Cafe. Awesome cool, modern dining experience. It was a sunny Saturday, but everyone walking by had umbrellas. Guess the weather is as fickle there as in Texas.  Full, we strolled along the harbor enjoying glorious scenic views. Our destination was Stanley Park - a 1000 square mile variety of statues, trees, gardens, totems, and history. The trolley ride is worth the money. Splendid day and introduction to Vancouver. We would like to come back and explore more of the city.

However, on to Alaska. Let's cruise.  Sunday, September 4th at high noon we join the cattle call to board. It's actually very well organized - Holland America has done this a few times. The Noordam holds 2500 guests and 700 crew. It is a "small" ship. I am impressed. Our stateroom 4040 is big enough for two people and it does have a small verandah with two chairs. Ray sprang for the outer scenic room. What the heck - you only turn sixty once. We got our bearings by finding the Lido deck and the lunch buffet (along with seemingly everyone else on the ship). It was zooey but tasty food.

Time for the 2 pm tour with Showguy Andy. This was informative. After our tour we went back to the bow of the ship for the 5 pm farewell to Vancouver. We waved farewell to not only Canada but sunshine and blue skies.

So, dinner time at the Vista Lounge. Time to indulge in grilled salmon and a superb dessert. The portions are just right, and the quality is stupendous.  Now what? We are a tad tired but we find the BB King band show - excellent musicians and plenty of soul singing.  It's been a full day. Time for bed. The room is dark, it's darn quiet, and there's no movement.

Sleep well. Each day brings a new adventure

This is just the start. I shall regale you with more adventures as we cruise to Alaska. 

Meanwhile, have a super good March weekend - it's blustery here in TX with rain expected. You never know what's in store. 

Vibrant Vancouver

 On September 3rd, Ray and I flew to Vancouver, Canada to begin our cruise adventure. Vancouver proved vibrant, sunny, and warm. We delighted in walking along the harbor.

 Any city on water is wonderful

 We toured Stanley Park. Here's a Little Mermaid statue

 Totem poles were unique and colorful, celebrating some native heritage

And the runner statue is emblematic to me of a city in motion.

We enjoyed our oh-too-brief time in Vancouver and thank our friends to the north for their hospitality.

Now it's Monday and I'm back to work for a full week slog. I shall be getting back to regular posts and visits. Hope everyone is well. Let's have a great week.

Mitten Mirth

Once upon a time, not so long ago, the Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, Canada. Ray and Joanne watched enthralled as skiers hurtled down mountains, snowboarders leaped and twirled, and skaters danced on ice. Joanne commented to Ray, "I love those red mittens everyone is wearing. They are so cute." Indeed, the Maple leaf gloves were the hot commodity in Vancouver. Oprah managed to give some away to an audience.

Ray, chatting with a distributor in Canada, said to Joy, "We're enjoying your Olympics and my wife loves those mittens." Joy said, "I'll try to get her a pair." Ray said, "That's not necessary," but Joy insisted and persisted. However, the kingdom was bare and alas, no mittens were to be found. We exchanged "Thanks, anyway" emails and thought nothing more about it.

Winter changed to spring which lasted one day in Texas. Then summer temperatures prevailed and Joanne floated in the pool, thoughts of winter, snow, and mittens - all a vague memory. There's always one final heat blast in September, and then one cool night rain that ends pool season. Nippy air, sweatshirt weather, and crisp brown leaves drifted and clogged the pool drain. Frost on the pumpkin, the north wind blew, and Christmas lights were strung.

Ray arrived home from work on December 14th (a warm balmy day) with a yellow padded envelope from Canada. "What to my wondering eyes should appear, but"... MITTENS. Red Olympic mittens with the maple leaf logo. So warm, so soft, such a surprise and treat.

Joy had persisted and when new mittens were issued for the Christmas season, she thought of me - that crazy American who shared in Canada's Olympic glory and admired the bright warm gloves. I was overwhelmed by her generosity, and now await a blizzard.

Thus, our tale ends. A thoughtful present, global friendship (well, okay Texas/Canada), and the spirit of giving and receiving.

Thanks & Merry Christmas

Olympic Optimism

Olympic spirit prevails in this household and so does a lot of Olympic television hours. I confess I'm not writing much. I'm too busy holding my breath as some youngster flips five ways to Sunday on a snowboard and lives to tell the tale. Vancouver looks like a fabulous city and the scenic views, courtesy of NBC, of Whistler and the mountains is breathtaking.

That very first step into snow as a child is magical. How does one translate that step into a passion and ultimately a gold medal? Hard work. Perseverance. Guts. I can't imagine standing at the top of a ski jump for the very first time.

"At the moment of commitment the entire universe conspires to assist you."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

That and a loud scream.

Cheers to Olympians past, present , and future. Take that step and more.