May 25, 2013 Saturday

Hello all

Today we leave Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge to start our 7 day cruise in Whittier.

Up at 7:30, suitcases outside by 8:30, and breakfast at 9:30.

Bus at 11:30, and to our surprise we had granny Jo again.  Granny said she was out with a 20 year old fella last night and she's still sleepy!  We love her personality and sense of humor.     

Moose just waiting to have his picture taken. 

Time for some pictures at this beautiful spot. 

New jackets we bought the first day in Alaska.  

That's quite the smile Marcel has there.  

What a gorgeous drive. 

2.5 mile one way single traffic tunnel to Whittier. Whittier has one aircraft runway with a gravel surface measuring 1,480 by 58 feet (451 x 18 m).There are no other facilities and the runway is not maintained in winter.  It's the only way to get there, other than helicopter or small plane.  Population 223.  The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is a tunnel through Maynard Mountain. It links the Seward Highway south of Anchorage with Whittier and is the only land access to the town, and at 13,300 feet (4,050 m), is the second longest highway tunnel, and longest combined rail and highway tunnel, in North America.There is a harbor and a deep water port used by cruise ships.

The light at the end of the tunnel. We arrived safely and we all got a big hug from granny.

The exit of the tunnel at the end of the white line on the road.  

No shortage of pools or hot tubs. 

Whittier from the ship.

Weather forecast for Whittier today is high 6c, overcast and rain. 
Not sure which part of this 51.02 km² small town has rain or is overcast!  

After we boarded the ship, we chucked our bags inside our gorgeous room, took some pictures before we messed it up, got off the ship and explored the cute little town.  

The room is much larger than I expected, and the balcony...well...it's the best.  We spent many hours out there.  We did not want to miss any of the grand scenery, or the wildlife.
 We saw many porpoises or dolphins.  Not sure what the difference is...yet.
Very difficult to get a good picture.  They are so fast.   

Only one complaint on this whole trip.  I miss good coffee. Big time. None to be found anywhere in the Princess hotels or cruise ship. Even tried the latte and cappuccino coffees. 

Sapphire Princess

Dinner seating was at 5:30.   Marcel had the prime rib and I had the salmon.  Plus 2 desserts.
Desserts are the best.  Baked Alaska, Creme Brulee and New York Cheese Cake.  

Leaving Whittier.

The smile is for the bottle...not for the camera. 

We bought a juice/ice cream card for $49 soon after we boarded the ship.  This way we could fill up the free drinking cup they gave us and take it back to our room.  Being dutch, we did try our best to get our money's worth, but alas, we failed.

May 24, 2013 Friday

Around 8 this morning we had coffee outside on the side deck.  Did not expect to do that on this trip.

Coffee in my jammies.  Life is good.

Before breakfast we took the one mile nature trail.
The forest is coming alive.  A little greenery and the leaves are ready to pop open. 

View from the balcony behind the main building. 

Breakfast at 10:30.  A lot of furniture, and light fixtures are made from antlers.  

First flowers we seen in Alaska.  Good thing I had the flower book with me. He He.

After a short down time we were ready for another walk. This time the Kenai River Trail. 

However, there were some stones to walk on.  Wobbly ones.  A soaker...part of the fun. 

Very icy water.

No soaker for Marcel

Kay, another fellow traveler in the distance.

Even too hot for a sweater Sandi.  We saw people with shorts and tank tops today,  but also with winter coats, boots and toques on,   

Apparently a black bear is seen every night at this river.  Waiting for the salmon. 

Aqua water is stunning with the sparking sun.

Burls

Long steep hill to climb to get back up to the cabin.  There is a phone on the bottom if you want a ride up.  I'm sitting in the lobby blogging and can hear the phone calls.  Quite a few calls for pickups back up the hill.   We spent some time on our balcony while my shoes and socks were drying. 

Blogged the previous day in the lobby before dinner.
Five o'clock. Actually warm enough to have dinner on the deck.  What could be better?

Chocolate Kahlua Toffee Cake
This is my supper...as they say:  "you never know".

Hamburger for Marcel.  He learned that from Peter!  He is taking off the tomatoes which I usually eat, but it really doesn't go well with cake.  

The river color is bluer than blue this time of day. 

I'm blogging in the lobby.  It is almost 9 at night.  Still full sun outside.
I left Marcel in the cabin on the couch, watching TV.  There's no place like home.   Tomorrow we are going to Whittier for the 7 day boat cruise.  We sure are suffering.  I am going outside now to see a bear!  I hope.  Yahoo, finished today's blog...now the trick is not to take any more pictures.
Love to you all.  Love, love, love this country.
Alida and Marcel/Grandpa and Grandma.  Hugs and kisses too all our little kiddies.
Thanks for the comments on the blog Kelly-Lynn.  Keep them coming.