On to Alaska

After Glacier Park Gary and I were headed to Whidbey Island. We stopped in Wenatchee River Park in Monitor WA. This is beautiful county park. I had the most fun there. I would certainly recommend this park. Gary and I went bike riding! It was a bicycle built for two. Gary sat on the front seat and I on the back seat. First lesson: the short person goes on the front seat. I couldn't see around GW so I was pedaling as fast as I could. I did not want to be accused of not doing my part! We were going rather fast around the circles in the park;I had no idea I should slow down because I could not see! Second lesson: Better communication! So we did great around the circles a little scary but we did fine. The last road we took (our goal was to go on all the roads in the park) was not a circle, but a dead end! GW said slow down! I again could not see so I kept pedaling. GW could not turn fast enough because it was a dead end. Well needless to say we hit a fence. What a trip! No one was hurt but it was quite embarrassing ! We regined ourselves and then rode back to the front office. We turned in our bicycle built for two then checked out a movie and headed home. Third lesson: Stay within your limits!! HAHA! WE did have fun!!!
We then stayed on hwy 2 all the way to Whidbey Island. This also is a beautiful spot. It is right on the ocean. We could look out of our window and see the ocean. We walked along the beach several times and sat on huge tree stumps and talked while the tide rolled in. We were three days. We headed off to Vancouver to catch our ship to Alaska. We left our RV at Whidbey Island and just drove the truck. I was sure glad that is what we decided to do after getting into Vancouver. The traffic was terrible. The streets were narrow. We Parked the truck and boarded the Holland America Zuierdam. Of course the first thing you do when you get on ship is eat! so we ate lunch and then walked around some and then headed to our stateroom for a nap. We left the port at 5pm headed for the open seas. Our first stop was Juneau. There we went whale watching. For the first time ever I got to see a Humpback calf breech. Oh my gosh it was great. I don't know what it is about seeing nature in the wild do what they do; but it was so exciting. We were able to spot several whales. Then we went to a small island and saw hundreds of stiller seals. These were all males that were resting on the island after 12 weeks of mating. They were all asleep!
The next stop was Skagway. There GW and I went dog sledding. The dogs actually pulled us for one mile in a cart. The cart held seven people and then the weight of the cart totaled about 2200 lbs. There was a team of 16 dogs. They pulled the cart so fast my eyes were watering from the wind. This camp is where the dogs go to keep conditioned for the big winter races. And then of course we were able to interact with the dogs. I did give all the dogs a pat and told them good job. No they do not whip the dogs like it shows in the movies. They just say "ready let's go" and they are so excited to run that they take off. I did get to hold a puppy. He was 3 weeks old. GW told me I had to put him back:( And by the way I forgot to mention that in the bus ride to the musher camp we saw 2 grizzly bears. We saw one of the bears go into the river and catch a Salmon. The bears are as fast as they say the are, he had that fish caught and upon the shore eating before you knew it. Then we headed back to the ship for dinner. Of course the food is always great on the ship.
The last stop that we had a shore excursion was Ketchikan. There GW and I went for a stroll through the rain forest and saw a beautiful Bald Eagle and a huge Screech Owl. Both of these birds had been wounded and were not able to fly in the wild or hunt so they were in the preserve. It was sorta sad that they could not be in the wild but also comforting to know they were well taken care of.
While were going through the inside passage, we sailed into the Tracy Arm Fjord. We were able to go really into the fjord. It was beautiful. Scenes like that are breathtaking. The sailing into glacier bay was beyond words. It was so beautiful. Words or pictures do it no justice. It is something you have to see to believe.
We arrived back in Vancouver the following Saturday and headed back to Whidbey Island. We stayed there until Thursday and now we are at Lutherwood Bible retreat in Bellingham WA. GW is helping them do some work. It is a campground for kids. GW is going to help build some picnic tables and paint.
Our next move will be along the coast of Oregon and we hope to be able to stop in Redding CA.
So when we decide for sure I will let you know. Sorry for the long time span but we did not have service in Whidbey.
Luvs to you all I miss you kids and my babies!!!!