Alaska 2002 Part III

 After lunch on June 14, we went on my favorite excursion---a helicopter ride to a glacier in Skagway, Alaska.

 I was a little nervous about taking Dave out on ice, but we had no problems.  We were all given special boots and spiked canes.  And, yes, the people in the background have on shorts.  The temperature at the ship was in the 80's.

 The glaciers weren't really slippery---they were more like chunks of popcorn sized ice with rocks embedded.

 We were able to fly over the glaciers, but also saw the Chilkoot Trail.

 Having just read a book on the Alaskan Gold Rush, I could appreciate how difficult that pass must have been.

 June 15 was one of our days at sea---we cruised Glacier Bay.  The onboard naturalist told us periodically where the glaciers had been with the various explorers.  The retreat of the glaciers was astonishing.

 We saw glaciers "calving" into the water and otters floating on chunks of ice.

 It was a bit cooler with the temperature in the 60's, but a cold wind made it feel cooler.

The next day, we cruised the College Fjord.

Alaska 2002 Part II

 June 13, 2002 found us in sunny Juneau, Alaska where we visited a Rainforest Glacier Park with dead trees planted upside down with beautiful flowers.

 Other trees were carved out.  We returned to the ship for lunch and then went on a whale watching excursion--- a 3 hour cruise.

 Although we saw bald eagles, harbor seals, seal lions, Dall's porpoise and at least 3 whales, they were all difficult to photograph with my 2002 camera.  Next time, I'll do better.

Skagway on June 14 was sunny and in the 80's.  We went on a train on the White Pass Railroad

 Beverages and snacks were provided.  When we reached the summit, we all turned around, crossed the aisle so everyone had a window view either coming or going.

This train trip was wonderful, but that afternoon, we did something even more wonderful.

Alaska 2002

 I might not have had a blog in 2002, but I still took photos and journalled. So, let's re-wind this blog to June 10, 2002.

 We flew to Minneapolis and then to Vancouver.  The airport was beautiful and reminds me of Munich with all of the glass but has totem poles, beautiful art and evergreen trees.  Behind the art above is water cascading down.  After a brief tour of Vancouver, we arrived on the ship around 3 PM in room A 502.  It was 60 degrees and sunny.

 June 11 was one of our days "at sea".  We saw a slide show on whales and watched where we were on the map on the TV in our room.

 We walked around the deck and sat in our room watching the scenery off our balcony.

 On June 12 (our 31st anniversary), we arrived in Ketchikan.

 We were apparently there on one of their rare sunny days---see the rain gauge above.

 We went to the Saxman Village, saw totem poles and Native American dancers. 

 It was OK, but I would have been happy getting a trolley ride and riding around.

At dinner we were about to have dessert when people started standing up and rushing to the windows.  I saw just the hump of an Orca.  We could tell he was close because birds were following to get the left-overs.  I was too far away to get a photo, but above is another view from our balcony.

Grandchildren Entertain Part II

The first thing Roman wanted to show us on our visit was his dad's trumpet.
Imagine our surprise when he got it out and started blowing on it. 
He decided to thoroughly entertain us with a "puppet show" followed by more trumpet blowing (Click Here)
After lunch, we went swimming where he showed us his diving and swimming skills which he put to good use on his triathlon a week or two earlier.
Since Daddy was in a golf tournament, we went out to eat at the T Rex Cafe in Kansas City.
We had a great visit with all of our KCity grandchildren and children--thanks for all of the entertainment.

Grandchildren Entertain Part I

 First Davis and then Libby, dressed in the pirate costume, Libby choosing to wear the beard on her head.

 Then, she wore her tu-tu. . . .backwards.

 Nothing quite like chocolate ice cream!

Davis had a new trick with a spoon on his nose.  He tried hopping, but I suggested he try singing.  Click here.

 He enjoyed putting some Legos together while easting his ice cream.

 After ice cream, we went shopping in the Cabinet of Wonders in a local children's book store.  The money was donated to Joplin relief and the crap wonders in the drawers included rocks, pogs, baseball cards, lost sunglasses, puzzle pieces. . . .

 Davis wanted to use my iPad, but when I told him I was using it, he asked to play games on my phone which I wished him luck on.  He had never seen a phone with an antennae!

 Brett loves Wii!

 And, I love watching him play---he is really very good and makes it all look so easy.

He found a secret hiding place in the children's book store.  We had a great visit with the Twenter family!

ABC Sale treasures

I only came home with three treasures from the ABC Sale---I could have bought more, but I have a few rules.  #1 I have a budget #2 if I price the items, I have to wait until the last day to buy them.  To refresh your memory, click here to see some of the treasures.  The three items I bought say a lot about me.

First, I bought a toy which my grandchildren love (eventhough it annoys us when then walk off and leaving it zooming and beeping)

Second, I bought a light-weight dressy top to take on a cruise.

Finally, I bought a lead soldier that "spoke to me".  He represents a soldier from World War I with a gas mask---my grandfather was gassed in World War I, so it reminded me of him.

But, also, I loved the artistry and details in the figure.  So, you may call it a lead toy, but I tend to think of it as a small piece of sculpture. 

So, what does this say about me---I love my grandchildren (eventhough their toys sometimes annoy me) and I love to hear them laugh.  I enjoy going on cruises.  I admire art, like remembering my ancestors and their history.  AND, I love my daughter and husband so much, I didn't buy them anything!