Alaska June 11-18, 2012 - Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

[ehagerty]

Eventually, I will retrofit this first post with a Table of Links, .... and a better introduction ... but for now, I will just start posting pictures...

The always beautiful, ever impressive Tracy Arm - one of 4 "calvings" we saw (the white spray at the waterline)






... and for those who are into all things Alaska, click here for a link to last year's complete report on the disboards

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Table of Links


Amtrak - Buffalo NY to Seattle, WA

A Day in Seattle before the Cruise

Seattle - Out and About on the Town

Embarking on the Wonder

Skagway - White Pass Railroad and Bike Down from Fraser Pass

Skagway, continued

Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier

Juneau - Whale Watching

Juneau - Whale Watching, continued

Ketchikan - Snorkeling

Ketchikan - Snorkeling, part 2

Ketchikan - Snorkeling conclusion

Tracy Arm Part 1

Tracy Arm Part 2

Tracy Arm Part 3

Tracy Arm Part 4

Tracy Arm Part 5

Tracy Arm Part 6

Issac Walton Inn - Our Caboose

Issac Walton Inn

Issac Walton - Dining, Decorations, Surroundings

Issac Walton - walking outside

Caboose Kids....

Glacier National Park (GNP) - Getting started

Glacier National Park - Part 2

Glacier National Park - continued

Glacier National Park - Logan Pass

Glacier National Park, conclusion



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[ehagerty]

This was a multi-segment, multi-family vacation - starting with taking the train to Seattle......

My parents are seasoned train travellers - although their last train trip was nearly 20 years ago! This was a first for my older sister - and an opportunity to relax with my youngest brother's family.

Waiting in the train station - DS22, DS24






Bringing our luggage on the train






Settling into our seats - DS22






Breaking out the deck of cards






.... in the lounge car - DN9, DB40-ish






Dining while watching the small towns go by - DB, DN6 (Maucaley Caulkin look-alike - should play him in "Son of Home Alone")






Relaxing with mom (who is not cooking, or at work) - DN11, DSiL





Enjoying complimentary champagne






Or dinner, with a free bottle of wine given away at a wine and cheese tasting

Sidebar - the wine tasting was a real slice - the attendants literally read the label on the back of the bottle - unfortunately, on this particular bottle, what was written as "with notes of anise" was read aloud as "with notes of anus", which resulted in no end of merriment and riffing at our table ("well, that stinks" - "must be a crappy wine"... you get the idea) - weeks later, it still makes me laugh out loud - as a matter of fact, the malaprop was such a hit, I really think they should read it that way every time, on purpose!

Breakfast, in anticipation of sailing with Mickey







Looking out the back of the train






Sunset over Montana





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[iloverags2]

I absolutely adore riding the train! Took a trip from Miami to Oakland (via D.C. and Chicago) and was just plastered to the window in my sleeper for much of the trip. So beautiful to watch nature unspoiled. On my return, two gentleman who were in the same sleeper car as me were also on a Miami to Chicago trip with me about a year prior...and we all remembered each other! That was fun, and we ate pretty much all our meals together.

Ok, getting back to your trip...looking forward to hearing all about Alaska!

[ehagerty]

Originally Posted by iloverags2

I absolutely adore riding the train! Took a trip from Miami to Oakland (via D.C. and Chicago) and was just plastered to the window in my sleeper for much of the trip. So beautiful to watch nature unspoiled. On my return, two gentleman who were in the same sleeper car as me were also on a Miami to Chicago trip with me about a year prior...and we all remembered each other! That was fun, and we ate pretty much all our meals together.

Ok, getting back to your trip...looking forward to hearing all about Alaska!

That was pretty much my summary from my VIA Rail trip from Toronto to Vancouver last year! I could do a comparison of various dimension between the two experiences, but most people don't have the ease of that option like we do, living near Niagara Falls, NY.

Hope you enjoy the "ride" of the trip report. I have many pictures to post!

[ehagerty]

Well - we arrived at the Amtrak station around 11:00 - about one half hour after scheduled arrival. This was pretty good, but not quite perfect for my mega-plan for the car service to shuttle 12 people in relays of 4 people from train station to Pan Pacific Hotel to Church (St James Cathedral for noon Mass) and back. 3 of us missed Mass, but we accepted the fact the 9 made it as a very good thing. Nonetheless, by the time everyone returned from Mass, paid the driver, etc we were more than willing to do something easy for lunch - like go downstairs from the Pan Pacific to the Whole Foods in the same complex for lunch.

Whole Foods for lunch - had something for everyone.....

...for my brother's family, it had variety and familiarity (since they live in proximity to one in Columbus Ohio)







.... for my parents and sister - it had variety and quality






... for my sons (and brother, and father), it had an excellent range of beers






... for DH, it had COFFEE






... and for a friend of 40+ years (who lives in Seattle), it had a time a place to visit (one of these days, I will learn to stop providing verbal directions, hence the lip pucker, to the photographer with my camera, before the shot is taken.... I have a LOT of this type of picture....)







We were also very happy with our Priceline Pan Pacific, both on quality and price







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[ehagerty]

Our day-time view from the Pan Pacific






Exploring Seattle - on foot






DN11 showing her track form






Taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island (bought a "ten pack" - worked out to about $6.20 per person, round trip)






I have to say, I have been in Seattle 4 days in my life. Each of those days was (a) sunny, (b) 70's, and (c) had a clear view of Mt Rainier. My friend says this is not normal...





















Seattle skyline








Walking the piers at sunset







View of the needle from our hotel room, at night






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[iloverags2]

Gorgeous shots of Mt. Rainier! And I totally agree with Whole Foods - it's one of those places everyone can find something in.

30 minutes late on Amtrak? That's pretty darn good!

[jedijill]

You take some of the most beautiful photographs. Can't wait to see and hear more.

Jill in CO

[ehagerty]

I was not expecting this, but there was a complimentary (free!!) shuttle from the Pan Pacific to Pier 91. I went down to get more details and there was a shuttle leaving then with one other person. I hopped in with the intention of getting the checkin process started at the pier, calling back to the other "planners" with this happy state of affairs.


The check-in facility was more Disney-like than the Vancouver set-up...







Boarding is via ramp...






...but once on board, there are many familiar scenes / images...






















As well as views you can only see from Seattle



















Looking back toward Seattle, after leaving the harbor (needle on left, Rainier on right)

[ehagerty]

Originally Posted by iloverags2

Gorgeous shots of Mt. Rainier! And I totally agree with Whole Foods - it's one of those places everyone can find something in.

30 minutes late on Amtrak? That's pretty darn good!

Thanks - do you take Amtrak often?

[ehagerty]

Originally Posted by jedijill

You take some of the most beautiful photographs. Can't wait to see and hear more.

Jill in CO

Thank you - I remember you from another post (Dec 2010 - complimenting a CM from your town) - many more pictures to come!

[Luv2Diz]

Looking forward to more of your TR!

[RGirl]

Joining in! It is so fun to read a big-family report like this! And I could have read an entire TR about your train journey. I have always wanted to do one - maybe DD and I will book a train trip sometime. Could be fun!

I have to say, I have been in Seattle 4 days in my life. Each of those days was (a) sunny, (b) 70's, (c) clear view of Mt Rainier. My friend says this is not normal...

As a native of the Pacific Northwest, I agree with your friend!! That is truly remarkable.

[iloverags2]

The terminal definitely looks a step above Vancouver! And more gorgeous shots of Seattle and Mt. Rainier.

Originally Posted by ehagerty

Thanks - do you take Amtrak often?

I have not been on Amtrak in a few years, but when I was going to school in Miami, and also when I first moved to Jacksonville after that, it was my mode of transportation back home to Chicago. I love the train! Nature unspoiled (Pennsylvania is incredible), and very difficult for anyone to find me for a few days! Peace, quiet, and relaxation! And the stop in Washington D.C. was always a treat. I typically visited one museum/site during each stop. Capitol Building, Smithsonian Museums, White House, etc. And to this day, I still think D.C.'s First Class Lounge is the best!

[scrapbooker79]

Originally Posted by ehagerty

I was not expecting this, but there was a complimentary shuttle from the Pan Pacific to Pier 91. I went down to get more detals and there was a shuttle leaving then with one other person. I hopped in with the intention of getting the checkin process started at the pier, calling back to the other "planners" with this happy state of affairs.

I was on the June 11th to Alaska, too! As a resident of the Seattle area, I can't believe what a bonehead I am for not getting pictures of Mt Rainier!!! I'm a first-time cruiser, and was still taking it all in. We got separated from my sister, my daughter, and my mom, so I spent the sail away party on the upper deck looking for them. I wish I would have gotten better pics, because the day we left Seattle has the best weather of the whole trip! (and actually, I feel we got really lucky with the weather in the ports. Ketchikan was the only city we had rain! )