Puerto Vallarta Squeeze...Take Two

I manage a corporate incentive trip each year.
The trip has three phases:
1) Select a potential destination and visit as many hotels and resorts as possible in the shortest amount of time humanly possible, causing a whirlwind of room types and amenities to keep track of. Once the resort is selected....
2) Return midway during the planning phase to walk through the details of the program--where the meals and functions are, what decor to use, etc.
3) Execute the program, with your attendees in two.

So in October, it was time for step 2 of the process for our 2018 trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Off to the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit it was.

 I very rarely sit at the window but of all trips to have that seat, the view was pretty good.

 I had a welcoming committee one evening when we were returning from some off site meetings. He was just as displeased about being stuck on my balcony as I was him being there. On that we agreed.

 But once he was helped out of my room (courtesy of maintenance) I could enjoy the signature PV sunset friend-free.

 Just your average Mexican condiments.

Finalizing all the little details for a great program; can't wait to get back to Puerto Vallarta in March. Cue the whales!

Hot Times in the Big Easy

 Work led me to New Orleans in August.
It was hot, but nice to be back. I hadn't been since a cruise we went on in 2005, before Hurricane Katrina.
Other than Bourbon Street going through some roadwork construction while we were there, New Orleans looks to be in fine condition.

 The event I was attending hosted their kick off dinner at Mardi Gras World, located on the banks of the Mississippi. As billed, we were guided through the (stifling hot) garage where many of the amazing Mardi Gras parade floats are stored.
Once through the garage, the venue has a large and multi-faceted event facility, which housed our 4,000 attendees easily.

 As expected, the entertainment in NOLA was amazing.

 Breakfast the next morning....there really wasn't another choice. Beignets for the win.

Can't wait to go back to New Orleans! Maybe not in August.

Charlotte--Getting Our Motor On

 The kids and grandma hitched a ride with me to Charlotte in August. What better way to keep the younger set entertained but staying at Great Wolf Lodge?

 The kids loved the "lilypads", the water slides and all the other fun water-based stuff.

 The bunk bed upgrade was well-received.

 I surprised the kids with dinner overlooking the Charlotte Motor Speedway. That evening was the Summer Shootout. The kids loved watching the racing action--a first for them.

 The Great Wolf Lodge ears never came off.

Seattle (in the sun!)

 We opted for the train transfer at the end of our Alaskan cruise. We departed Seward around 7 AM and arrived in Anchorage, Alaska's capital, a few hours later. Very scenic and a great way to transfer. The train drops right at the airport. Simple.

I learned on my operational site visit last July that the red eye home (the only option if you can't depart ANC first thing in the AM) is pretty brutal.
We realized we could get to Seattle at a decent hour, and neither of us had been there. So, we opted for a quick overnight visit to Seattle, before continuing our journey back home to the east coast.

 We stayed at Pineapple Five, a lovely boutique hotel not far from all the major Seattle attractions, including Pike Place.

 More seafood....of course.

I am not a huge coffee fan (perhaps sacreligious, I know) but we did walk by the original Starbucks. It was Saturday AM and the line was wrapped around the block; good thing I didn't have my heart set on a venti latte.

Seattle, known for being gray and rainy, was sunny and spectacular. We had a great 18 hours.

Alaska. Enough Said.

We were sad to bid adieu to Vancouver, but it was time to head north along the Inside Passage of Alaska.

 After a day at sea, we docked in Ketchikan, also known as the salmon capital of the world.

 While Dave went fishing for said salmon, I went bear and wildlife hunting with some work peeps.

We finally saw a baby bear....this was my pic with my phone.

 This was my boss' pic with his super duper camera and lens.

 Dave and group were successful on their salmon fishing morning.

 Alaskan crab legs for lunch. Pretty sure Dave was doing it wrong.

 Touring legendary Creek Street.

 Day three was Hoonah, a lovely little port solely owned and operated by the locals. No Diamonds International in sight! After some great whale watching, I dragged Dave and some others up a mountain to experience the ZipRider.  1,320 feet from top to bottom.
The day we were there, it was cloudy and drizzly. So when the gates opened, it was almost as though we were flying through a cloud. The drizzle felt like pellets going that speed, but it was amazing.
And then you broke through the clouds and could REALLY see how high up you were. Exhilarating.
Did I mention Dave hates heights? Trooper. I think he loved it.
ZipRider web site

We hosted a great event at the Duck Point Smokehouse in Hoonah with the local Big Brothers Big Sister chapter. Trip attendees brought gifts and monetary donations for the program. The kids performed a lovely local dance.

 And then there was Juneau....

 Dave and I took an excursion that required kayaking across Mendenhall Lake....

 In order to be one of the few to get to see...this. Simply breathtaking. Blues like you've never seen.

 That's not a backdrop. Pure ice. In an ice cave.
With the glacier constantly receding more than it advances, chances are the cave we were able to explore won't be there as soon as next summer.

 Climbing on top of the glacier was just as awesome.

 Post-glacier hike and lake canoe...duck farts at the Red Dog Saloon.

 Skagway was our next and final stop. Dave and I took a hike around Lower Dewey Lake.

 Hiking burns calories, which we replenished with some salmon dip. Because, Alaska.

 Skagway, home of the reindeer fart (not to be confused with the duck fart). For the record, Dave preferred the reindeer fart. Don't tell Juneau.

 Some classic Skagway fun. Ladies of the night...and Dave.
The late 1890s (Klondike gold rush era) were a hot time in Skagway. Since then....they bank on offering glimpses of the 1890s.

 Our final day of the cruise offered a morning wake up call at Hubbard Glacier. Dodging ice on the way in was fun to watch.

Alaska is amazing. *Disclaimer*: It was never really high on my bucket list. Having now had the chance to go not once, but twice, I stand corrected. It's magical, majestic and worth the investment of time and money to get there. Take your time. Do it right. And definitely have a reindeer fart.

No matter how far I go....home is always the best. We were so very glad to get home to these guys (and summer weather!)