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!)

Magical Vancouver

Canada is truly a gem of a location. I've been to all of the "major" cities (I think) except for Montreal (on my short side of my really long bucket list). The people, the food, the weather and the sights in Vancouver did not disappoint.

I headed to the Pacific northwest in July ahead of our customer trip to Alaska. 

 Our hotel, the Pan Pacific, was located right on the cruise ship port. Guests could just leave their bags in the room on embarkation day and not have to deal with them until they showed up in their stateroom later.

 But first, a few great days in Vancouver as guests began to arrive.  They celebrated their 150th birthday this summer. Alas, they didn't offer me any cake.

 One of my vendor reps, who's been to Vancouver many times, asked if I wanted to climb Grouse Mountain. There is a gondola option. We opted for the stairs. So. Many. Stairs.
I would consider myself in relatively good shape. Not ready to run a marathon, but certainly capable of a nearly two mile hike.
But it's almost all uphill. The Grouse Grind is a grind indeed.

 Halfway.

 But, the views were spectacular. So that was a great reward for making it up.

 Ironically, the Grind allows for one way travel (up) only. The gondola whisked us down in no time.

 Lunch was a welcome sight.

 The next day, Dave finally arrived....

 We hosted a customer dinner the night before we boarded the ship at Rogue. Seafood galore.

 Late night (there may have been a few drinks involved) we ordered poutine. It was....interesting.

 Embarkation morning we left our bags behind and headed over to Fly Over Canada, a must do 4D experience ride.

 Gelato for lunch? OK.

And finally, on board the ship. Ready to set sail.
The Alaska chapter I will save for the next installment.