Trip Introduction
In August 2013 we took a trip to the Pacific Northwest to visit family (Julie’s Uncle Dave and Aunt Donna) and to cruise the inside passage of Alaska on Princess Cruise Lines. Julie’s parents, Gary and Surella, joined us for the entire adventure, while James’ parents, Jim and Gayle, participated in the cruise.
This is one of those trips where we really didn’t take notes, so the descriptions of each day are based on the pictures and 10-year-old memories.
Thursday, 08/15/2013 – Heading West
We flew from Des Moines to the Seatle/Tacoma airport arriving mid-afternoon. Julie’s Uncle Dave picked us up and drove us to Bremerton where he and his wife had lived since Dave was in the Navy. We spent the evening catching up. James and Julie slept in their large RV for the few nights we were there. We determined RVing was not high on the list of our future travel plans.
Friday, 08/16/2013 – Around Bremerton
After sleeping in a bit, we awoke to a somewhat rare occurrence in the Seattle area: a clear sky. We could see Mount Rainier and snapped a couple pictures. We spent the day visiting sites around Bremerton including a destroyer and submarine museum. Dave spent much of his time in the Navy serving on submarines.
Mount Rainier sticking up above the Cascade Range
Visitors on board the USS Turner Joy, a retired naval destroyer
Saturday, 08/17/2013 – Seeing Seattle
We woke early on Saturday and rode the Ferry across Puget Sound into Seattle. Dave drove us around to several sites including the Seattle Space Needle. The clouds from the morning moved inland and we were able to enjoy wonderful views of the city and surrounding area from the top. After a lovely day, Dave and Donna dropped us at the Westin hotel where we had rooms as part of the cruise package.
Sailboats enjoying the open waters of Puget Sound
Seattle as seen from the ferry
Looking up at the Seattle Space Needle
We watched several float planes take off while at the top of the Space Needle
Sunday, 08/18/2013 – All Aboard
James’ parents had arrived late on Saturday, so we met them in the hotel lobby Sunday morning and headed to Pike Place Market. We enjoyed seeing the various stalls with everything from fresh flowers to farm grown vegetables to seafood coming straight off the boats. We also visited the original Starbucks location so Gayle could get some coffee. In the late morning we caught a transfer from the hotel to the cruise terminal where we boarded the ship. After the mandatory safety drills, lines were cast off and we headed out towards the Pacific Ocean.
One of the flower stalls in Pike Place Market
Another stall with a rainbow of blooms
The sun peaks out as we head out of Puget Sound
Monday, 08/19/2013 – A Day at Sea
The first day of the cruise was a full day at sea. Our three staterooms were side-by-side, and we were able to open dividers on the balconies allowing us to pass back and forth. We spent the day watching the water go by and looking for sea life. We also got familiar with the ship while making decisions about what excursions each of us would be doing at the various stops. All-in-all, it was a relaxing day.
Tuesday, 08/20/2013 – Visiting Ketchikan
Our first port of call was the city of Ketchikan, AK. Measuring in a straight line, about 668 miles north-northwest of Seattle. This colorful town is built between the hills running up from the water along several waterways that create islands at the southernmost tip of Alaska. We had people going on two different excursions as James and Jim went on a wilderness hike that included a stop at a wildlife rescue while everyone else went on a duck boat tour of Ketchikan.
An old stump in the rainforest that exists along the Alaska coastline
The high rain amounts support all kinds of plant life
A black bear is visible in the distance
A reindeer at the wildlife rescue
This bald eagle’s wing was damaged so it can no longer fly and hunt
Totem poles outside the animal sanctuary
Colorful buildings on the water in Ketchikan
A sign welcomes visitors
A statue in downtown Ketchikan
After both groups returned to the ship, we all attended a lumberjack show where skilled jacks demonstrated various tools and techniques common in the trade. The show was staged as a competition between two rival camps. After the show we headed back to the ship which left port in the late afternoon.
Axe throwing was one of the events at the Lumberjack Show
This throw of the axe was a little high and left
The top of the log is still stuck on the axe
These guys raced to the top of these poles
Wednesday, 08/21/2013 – Visiting a Glacier and a Capital
We woke the next morning to foggy skies and tall stone cliffs outside the window. The ship was passing through a fjord to see where one of the glaciers met the sea. Along the way there were many incredible views with waterfalls and floating ice calved from the glacier. There were other smaller ships moving through the same waters taking groups close to the ice.
A side of the fjord
Chunks of calved glacier ice float in the water
There was less growth on the walls closer to the glacier
The stone, clouds, and still water made for a peaceful passage
Water running down a crevice in the stone walls
A waterfall empties into the fjord
This tour boat gives a scale for the walls along the fjord
The glacier coming down to meet the water
In the afternoon, the ship docked at Juneau, the Capital City of Alaska. There are no roads from Juneau to the rest of the state, so all traffic comes by air or water. There are regular ferries running along the coast connecting the cities along the inside passage. We all enjoyed an excursion to a salmon hatchery and then to a botanical garden.
Salmon at the hatchery
Walking into the botanical garden
A waterfall and reflecting pool
A Dahlia flower
Thursday, 08/22/2013 – A Stop in Skagway
On Thursday the ship docked in Skagway, AK. We and Julie’s parents took an excursion on the White Pass & Yukon Railway up the hill (2,800ft) to see where the miners headed inland during the Klondike mining rush. The train still operates on the same tracks used to haul people and equipment. After exiting just across the boarder into Canada, we rode a coach down the highway back into town. We then visited a couple sites where reenactments occur telling visitors about life in the area during the gold rush. We were even able to connect with the granddaughter of some people from Julie’s hometown.
Heading up the hillside
One of the small rivers running through the hills
The terrain dictates the path of the train
Small stone cairns stand at the top of the hill
We saw more waterfalls on the bus trip back to the ship
One of the historic sites in Skagway
Friday, 08/23/2013 – Southward on the Sea
Friday the ship headed out of the protective waters of the inside passage and made a beeline southeast towards Seattle. We all spent the day relaxing, though the waters were a little rougher so those subject to motion sickness drank extra ginger ale.
Saturday, 08/24/2013 – Late Night in Canada
Saturday was our last day on the ship and a good portion of it was in open water. Late in the day we docked at Victoria, British Columbia. This one evening in Canada prompted the need for passports on the cruise. We saw a beautiful sunset, visited Craigdarroch Castle, and saw the lights along the harbor as we headed back to the ship.
A totem pole greets visitors to the island
Watching the sun set
Craigdarroch Castle in the late evening
One of the stairs in Craigdarroch Castle
Some of the mosaic floor tile in Craigdarroch Castle
This building houses the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
Sunday, 08/25/2013 – Heading Home
Our cruise had come to an end and so did our trip. We disembarked from the cruise ship and took a transfer to the airport. We said our goodbyes to Jim and Gayle before flying our different directions arriving home late in the evening after a fun and relaxing time.