South to Vancouver

Arriving at Juneau we have a full day ahead to explore the town, which is the capital of Alaska and to take our excursion on a dog sled ride. We were fortunate to have chosen this particular excursion because the weather was inclement and many other tours we learned later were cancelled on the day. Our tour took us into the heart of a beautiful rainforest and to a musher's camp which is set up for summer for tourism and training the dogs. On our arrival at the camp hundreds of dogs are set up in teams of 16 and harnessed to motorless carts each carrying six passengers. The noise of dogs barking is almost deafening and our musher Jay, tells us they will be quiet as soon as they start pulling us along in the 'sled'. She is absolutely right. The dogs are especially bred, a combination of husky, greyhound and another breed and they are bred for strength and speed.

 

After our exhilarating ride of about a mile through the rainforest we were then able to move around the camp, given a talk about competitive dog sledding and the various Alaskan races, equipment and history and then it was over to look at and cuddle the puppies. After a warming cup of hot chocolate we were bussed back to Juneau, which is a small town for a capital city.

 

For lunch we decide to accept the hospitality of the buxom young lady outside the Red Dog Saloon and join the party happening inside. It was a happy lunchtime crowd enjoying incredible atmosphere of an old world Wild West bar, lots of iconic animal heads and pictures and graffiti, sawdust on the floor and good tucker as well.

 

Back on ship that evening our table celebrated the 49th wedding anniversary of our new friends Paul and Maryanne from Georgia USA. After dinner our first stop was the Celebrity Theatre for another excellent show this time by a US comedian by the name Fred Klepp. We were all in stitches. Then we djourned with our group to the piano bar to enjoy the late hours with Jeremy Orens......what a talent he continues to be.

Next day arriving early afternoon at Ketchikan we have chosen to change our excursion from a Rainforest walk to the Wild Bear and Wildlife Tour. It was a good move yet again. As the rain tumbled down it was a lot more fun looking for wildlife in a rainforest (ponchos provided) from boardwalks and swing bridges than it would have been simply wandering muddy tracks. To our great delight we soon spotted a large female black bear with two cubs making her way to the salmon filled stream. We watched for ages and tracked her as she gorged on the fish and demonstrated her technique to her cubs. (Ray gets another tick on his bucket list.) Our guide then took us to look for other wildlife - a bald eagle in a distant tree, nothing else much until we got to the park rangers base where they care for injured animals including eagles and reindeer, which we feed and pat. A native Indian man is also carving a large totem and it is good to see him at work in a hut alongside an old sawmill. Another hot chocolate and we are on the bus back to town. We opt to take ourselves on a walking tour of Ketchikan especially to see Creek Street where we spy an otter catching salmon for his dinner.

 

 

 

The Parent Moon

After the Wedding and our stay in Whistler guests headed off all over the world. The McInnes' and the Lackies spent the night in Vancouver, then there was time for lunch with the new Mr & Mrs McInnes before they were picked up by a 'Limo' and they were off Italy (for their Honeymoon) via London ( a quick stopover). The parents John, Donna, Glenys and Ray were off on the 'Parent Moon', first up Kamloops.

The road northeast in British Columbia is smooth and wide and we feel very safe in the Lackies Chev. 'Truck', so many great things to see, the Fraser River is spectacular and the many great hills and valleys.

As we make our way towards Jasper we stopover at the Mt Robson Visitor Centre, this is one of Canada's tallest mountains but to our great delight a black bear is spotted in the grass not too far from the deck. As we head to the town of Jasper we enter a new time zone and the Province of Alberta, home to great beef. Steak will definitely be on our menu for the next couple of days.

All around the mountain towns we are taken with the beauty of the streets, shops with flowers everywhere. We enjoyed a great meal (supper) together and a comfortable night at the Whistle Stop Inn.

Tomorrow we are off to Banff, apparently the most breathtaking drive in Canada.

 

North to Alaska

So we are off to Alaska on the good ship "Celebrity Century" a seven day cruise stopping at Icy Straits, Juneau and Ketchican. We enjoyed a fantastic morning Eucharist at Vancouver Cathedral, it was really vibrant and Anglican worship at our best, with a terrific sermon also by the Dean.

Once on board we discovered our 8th floor Stateroom with balcony and began to explore the rest of the ship. This is our 4th time now doing a cruise and we enjoy life on board which can be busy but also plenty of time to relax. Almost the first people we met at the lifeboat and safety briefing was amazingly the Dean of Anglican Cathedral in Philadelphia and her family. A couple of days later we had breakfast together, what a star she is! In the meantime we enjoyed the sunset, Vancouver Harbour and a delicious dinner and the live show in the Celebrity Theatre.

At dinner we met our fellow travellers, a delightful table, including Paul, Maryanne, USA; Armondo, Serena, Canada; Julie and Mike from Sydney. We enjoyed the live show and then partied in Crystal Room until very late, lots of dancing, like the wedding.

 

On Monday the ship was cruising over 700 miles north and we enjoyed our first art class in watercolours, an art history talk and being very spoilt with a massage late in the afternoon. (So busy!) After formal dinner with our new friends we all went to a fabulous Broadway Show and then more late night fun at the piano bar with a very talented young pianist called Jeremy Oren.

 

Tuesday after cruising into the early afternoon having taken our second watercolour class, this time in the Hemisphere Room up on Deck 12 we begin to prepare for our first stopover at Icy Straits - Hoonah. We had booked an excursion driving all terrain vehicles in convoy. This was great fun and taking us on a journey into the back blocks of this very remote Alaskan island. Our guide stopped to show us a cub paw print in the mud and suddenly ahead was his mum and brother - we could hardly believe our eyes! We all found it a little bit scary - so exciting however to see these great creatures naturally at such close quarters.

Brian, our guide, a local Alaskan native, took the convoy to the top of the mountain and said welcome in his native language to "my office". We took photographs of the magnificent sunset over the mountains. From all accounts we were extremely lucky to see Icy Straits in such great weather. We were the last back on the ship from its Tender so we had a quick late dinner and caught the last bit of the live show -magician. Again a really high quality performer.

Wednesday morning and we have cruised further north to Hubbard Glacier. Everybody on board is rugged up and occupying vantage points to see this spectacular scene. Again we are very fortunate to be able to cruise so close with the ice (brash) bumping against the ship as we pass just about half a mile from the glacier's face. We have seen ice breaking from the glacier and felt the ripples on board even this big ship. Apparently there were sea lions about but we did not spot any. Ray says his tally of wildlife is now - 7 bears, 4 elk, 1 whale, 1 eagle and no sea-lions.

 

Whistler

The drive from Vancouver to Whistler is incredible with snow capped mountain and the odd glazier on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, although the sea looked very calm. Whistler Village is  packed with holiday makers as it is a long weekend. Our cabin sleeps 12 people and has every mod con and plenty of room for us all. From the deck where we are writing the blog we overlook the lake and a snow capped mountain, lots of pine trees everywhere.

The big task for Saturday is to meet Fr. William at St John the Divine Anglican Church, Squamish (which is about 45 minutes drive back down the mountain) and to have the wedding rehearsal. William is a delightful guy and very easy going, Steve and Eryn are able to meet up personally with their wedding planner and the photographer. It all goes really well and Aunt Sue, Glenys and Ray have time to make up two simple flower arrangements to decorate the church for the weekend.

We return to the house and prepare for the next event, the pre wedding party at the Thirds. Eryn has told us about the great friendship between the Lackies and the Thirds and they are truly wonderful people. Rob barbeques salmon on his deck which overlooks the stream that flows through the town. Rob is a metal fabricator, his company is involved in large construction projects, bridges and sky-scrapers, their house is made of steel also and a fantastic place for a party. They are amazingly hospitable and with family and friends we are about 30 people all superbly fed, especially salmon.

Today the household is off in all sorts of directions, Rach and Chops are doing a bike ride, Glen and Trevor are riding the gondala, the boys are shopping and getting their hair cut, Macka and Ray are playing golf (of course).

Tonight we are all back to the Thirds fo the annual Pig Roast, this time apparently there will be a stack of people friends and neighbours, about 80 they think! It all adds up to a big day and tomorrow is the "big day".

Vancouver

Our trip to Canada has one big focus, we're here for the wedding of our son, Steve to his lovely Canadian fiancée, Eryn. Our epic journey Ray,Glenys and Anne Stephens to Vancouver via Auckland was on Air New Zealand, a wonderful airline, staff couldn't do enough for us.

By the time we arrived on Canadian soil it was just 3 hours after we left Melbourne, but having flown and waited around airports for over 20 hours, nevertheless, alll went well and we were pleased to get to our hotel room in downtown Vancouver. A quick look around then we were off to Rach and Chops lovely apartment in Kitsilano.

It was a great reunion of travellers and wonderful to see Steve and Eryn, also Erin Sievright and Trevor (uncle) Lewin. We enjoyed a wonderful array of food that the "young ones" had organized. Then we adjourned to the roof top to watch a 25 minute fireworks display. "Such a welcome!"

With plans to arise early and do some sightseeing it was time to get some very necessary sleep. The next thing we knew was the hotel phone was ringing and the reception girl saying there's a gentleman in the foyer for you. We knew it would be Trevor, it was 9am and we were still dosey.

We had breakfast but missed seeing Trevor, he must have given up on us! Then it was soon time toreturn to Kinsalata for our pick up plans and the trip to Whistler. Boys and Erin S in two vehicles, this was our first meeting with Eryn's dad, John who drove his black Pontiac (Aussie built Commodore).

We stopped along the way at a superb waterfall, the abundant water coming from a melting glazier. We enjoyed the phenomenal scenery with large mountains rising virtually out of the sea, the deep ocean waters different shades of blue on account of the particles from the land.

We stopped at Squamish along te way, a quick look at St John the divine Church and then on to the lovely lunch place, it was 2.30 and we were ready to munch, Steve had been told not to have too much!!

As we drove the last few kms to our destination we took a detour to Whistler Bungee.. no wonder now about the lunch instruction, the boys had organized a jump for the man of the moment. It took some time and we were all nervous for him, but he did well.

On arrival at our cabin (house) in Whistler we met the girls who had driven up with Donna, Eryn's mum. A quick greeting and look at the house, then the boys were off to hit a few golf balls on the driving range. This was followed by dinner at Earl's Bistro, steak and ribs being the popular meals. The young guys kicked on till late, John and his friend Dave from Edinburgh and Ray made an earlier exit.