August 16, 2011 – 7 Night Alaska Sailing

[aunursa]

This afternoon I finished packing our second, larger suitcase. After the bathroom scale determined its weight at 48 lbs -- dangerously close to the limit, I moved some items into the smaller suitcase. Now it's 46 lbs. I also packed our garment bag. In addition to the formal night and dinner at Palo, we'll dress up for my niece's bat mitzvah service, which will be held onboard the ship.

The online weather forecasts vary between overcast and showers for our port days. Unfortunately rain is expected nearly every day next week -- including showers in Ketchikan for each of the next ten days. There's a possibility that we'll get precipitation every day in Alaska ... and a good chance of showers on Monday in Vancouver. Accordingly I packed an umbrella, ponchos, hooded jackets, sweaters, and several turtlenecks.

I hope everyone has safe travels.

 

[mellers]

As a surprise to Mellers Kidlet (for getting college credit, in math, the summer after her 9th grade year), rather than taking the QuickShuttle to Richmond (our usual mode of transit), we decided to get a limo as a surprise and go there that way. (There are five of us going, we don't live very far away, and my husband gets a big discount on the limo service through his work, or it would not be happening).

Well, this afternoon, we got a call from the limo service, and apparently, they have a big party going to Sea-Tac tomorrow morning, and if we were willing to wait another 10-20 minutes (which we certainly were), they would let us have the WHOLE 12-PASSENGER PARTY BUS FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!! Complete with DVD player!

So, tomorrow morning, Mellers and family will be tooling up I-5 in the party bus! We'll be at the Four Points tomorrow, and we'll see everyone at the pre-cruise meet at the White Spot on Monday at 5 p.m., or at the 3 p.m. meet at Diversions on Tuesday!

 

[pops711]

Here is what weather.com as to say about what our weather is going to look like:

Vancouver: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/CAXX0518 (the 16th & 23rd)

Skagway: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USAK0225 (the 19th)

Juneau: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USAK0116 (the 20th)

Ketchikan: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USAK0125 (the 21st)

When I first posted this 4 days ago it said it said 40% chance of rain for Vancouver and 60% for Skagway. to it says 10% and 30 %. Lets hope it keeps up this way!!!

 

[ICollectBelle]

"My bags are packed I'm ready to go, and I'm leaving on a jet plane! Safe travels to all! See you real soon!

 

[mellers]

(Okay, I'm a few hours early--but we're leaving on the party bus tomorrow!)

3...

 

[siburdue]

As a surprise to Mellers Kidlet (for getting college credit, in math, the summer after her 9th grade year), rather than taking the QuickShuttle to Richmond (our usual mode of transit), we decided to get a limo as a surprise and go there that way. (There are five of us going, we don't live very far away, and my husband gets a big discount on the limo service through his work, or it would not be happening).

Well, this afternoon, we got a call from the limo service, and apparently, they have a big party going to Sea-Tac tomorrow morning, and if we were willing to wait another 10-20 minutes (which we certainly were), they would let us have the WHOLE 12-PASSENGER PARTY BUS FOR NO EXTRA CHARGE!!!! Complete with DVD player!

So, tomorrow morning, Mellers and family will be tooling up I-5 in the party bus! We'll be at the Four Points tomorrow, and we'll see everyone at the pre-cruise meet at the White Spot on Monday at 5 p.m., or at the 3 p.m. meet at Diversions on Tuesday!

WOW, that sounds just awesome - too bad we aren't packed or I would try to hitch a ride a couple days earlier, just to party with you!:

See you at the meet

 

[BishopFamily]

...
Richard, welcome back to the thread. It sounds like you have had your hands full with fun! Please forgive me for pointing out this typo, but I was highly entertained. As an appriciater of all things Star Trek, Borgy and Bess would be a very interesting show!
...

You are correct, it is Porgy. I guess I was trying too hard to make sure I got the "g" in the right place. It is usually pronounced Porky and Bess (but that would be just as incorrect.)

 

[DumboFan]

And we're off!!!

On our way to newark for our flight to vancouver!!!!!!!

Safe travels everyone!

 

[dkmjgal]

SEE YOU IN VANCOUVER!!!

 

[garytam]

We are leaving in couple minutes. See you all in Vancouver.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hi, everyone! We had a great trip to Seattle yesterday. No problems with any of the flights, the car rental, or the hotel. And it is SUNNY here! I've never seen Seattle in the sunshine before. I actually like it.

We are at Inn at the market hotel so it is a perfect location for doing things in Seattle. Yesterday we shopped at the market a bit ($5 for a beautiful bunch of flowers) and had dinner at the Pink Door. also went to the Comedy Underground club. Today we are doing the ducks, a segway tour and dinner at the top of the Space Needle. We're in full vacation mode!

Safe travels to everyone and see you in Vancouver in a few days!

 

[msnoble]

Waiting at the airport in Detroit to begin our adventure here is a link to my blog--I am hoping to post daily, and will upload at the ports. See you all on Tuesday!

http://wp.me/p1jiPd-3c

Maureen

 

[scothen]

I am flying out of Chicago tomorrow morning. See everyone soon!!

 

[Elfinjojo]

So Glad everyone is on their way! Hope you all have safe travels.

We leave the UK on monday evening and will be in Vancouver on Monday evening, with the time slip being 8 hours it seems that we land just 2hrs after take off(But in fact the flight is around 10hrs+)

Cases are almost packed - just the hats, gloves and wash bags to go in!!

See you on the ship

 

[AppleGuy]

I Collect Belle, Apple Guy's friends, and Apple Guy arrived in Seattle this afternoon. Staying near Seattle City Center and Space Needle. Ate at a fantastic restaurant tonight, Amore, Italian food--excellent. Going to Pike City market and Space Needle tomorrow and then board the train to Vancouver Monday morning. 3 more days and we're on the Wonder--Alaska here we come!!!

 

[poohj80]

I Collect Belle, Apple Guy's friends, and Apple Guy arrived in Seattle this afternoon. Staying near Seattle City Center and Space Needle. Ate at a fantastic restaurant tonight, Amore, Italian food--excellent. Going to Pike City market and Space Needle tomorrow and then board the train to Vancouver Monday morning. 3 more days and we're on the Wonder--Alaska here we come!!!

Sounds like similar plan as ours when we go in 2 weeks!

Where are you staying? Are you just planning to take a cab to Amtrak Monday?

 

[mellers]

This is Mellers and Mellers Kidlet, coming at you from the Four Points Vancouver Airport!!!!!

We spent yesterday seeing the International Buddhist Temple Garden and having dinner with my husband's aunt (who's really neat to be around), and genrally having a great time! Today, we're having Dim Sum with his aunt (the Chinese version of Sunday Brunch), and then we're heading out on the SkyTrain to the Vancouver Aquarium.

Hope everyone is having a good time, and we'll see some of you tomorrow at the White Spot at 5880 No 3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 2E1, No. 3 Rpad and Ackroyd in Rchmond, BC at 5 p.m., and we'll see some of you in 2 days ON THE CRUISE and at the Diversions meet at 3 p.m.

 

[mellers]

2....

 

[pops711]

It sounds like we are the only ones not up in the Seattle/Vanvouver are???? Are we the only ones flying out on Tuesday???

 

[Aby]

We're still not there yet but we are flying out tomorow!

Aby