WorldTravelReynolds

We are just getting started on this journey. Our first stop on the cruise was in Ketchikan. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of the most beautiful adventure I’ve ever experienced. In Ketchikan we saw the Lumberjack show, which was cute and a lot of skill and strength to cut, climb, chop and roll trees aka logs. We had a good time. There is always shopping and had to keep my impulses under control. Its way too easy to spend money in these shops. I love jewelry so had to keep my hands in my pockets. Theres some beautiful gold nuggets and of course the diamonds!

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

Lumberjacks Chopping Wood

Lumberjacks log rolling

Ketchikan Mountains  – First site of snow

A Liquid Sunshine Gauge

Ketchikan is very rainy, we were lucky and only saw sunshine. Its a small yet beautiful little town. In the olden days they had a rain gauge or Liquid Sunshine Gauge is what they called it. They had so much rainfall in 1947 that the rainfall “broke” the town’s rain gauge, topping out at a still unbeaten 201 inches. Thats just crazy!!

The Rock:  A logger, a fisherman, a miner, an aviator, a Native woman drumming, and an elegant lady in her 1890s finery

Small Airport for “float” planes

Our next port was Icy Strait Point, Alaska. This was a fun part of our trip. We all rode the zip rider. Its the worlds longest zipline ride and it was AMAZING! Up to 60 miles an hour and over 1300 feet in the air. The best part was that my sister in law has been wanting to ride for a long time and she finally did it! My brother Lonnie was so proud of Susan. It was more exciting watching her than it was the ride itself. Although, the ride was pretty awesome!! Take a look at the video below. I’m still learning the GOPRO but it did pretty well considering. It was beautiful up in the air. To see video on Youtube: https://youtu.be/XnMwlUa6C9w

Radiance of the Seas

Mi Familia

Beautiful view of the snow capped mountains

Of course there was more shopping and good food to eat but my hands were stuck in my pockets. Debbie took the pleasure in trying on all the jewelry. And she enjoyed every minute!

Debbie loving the shopping!

Beautiful Sunset from the ship

OK… off to Juneau. We leave with a gorgeous sunset. In Juneau we had a full day planned with whale watching. This was a wonderful and chilly trip. We saw Humpback Whales, Orca Whales and Sea Lions. And of course you can’t forget about the scenery. Juneau is another beauty!

Taking a ride out to see the Whales.

The Humback Whales are around and playing

They go down for a dive and come back up around 20 minutes later

She was rolling in the water. Fun to watch

Going down again

Waving goodbye?

Sea Lion?

Showing more tail. Notice the red tips on each side of the tail

Lighthouse

Orcas

One last viewing before we leave

Sea Lions sunning and swimming

Small town of Juneau. Lots of crab and fish restaurants

Lonnie & Susan

And of course we had to stop by the Red Dog Saloon. Great Root beer and burgers. But more importantly, my Aunt Peatie managed this saloon many years ago.  It was a fun place to hangout.

 

Interesting Sculptures by the ships

I thought this was hilarious.

Goodbye Juneau. It was wonderful!

Next posting will have the remainder of our trip. There was so much to see and too many photos. We loved every minute of it. God has blessed us with a wonderful family and I cant wait to share the rest of our trip with you.