Day 2
We continued north, going the scenic route through the Sawtooth Mountains. Saw some gorgeous country. That evening we stayed in Angler's Roost along the Bitterroot River in Hamilton, Montana. Montana was my 50th state: we both have now been in every state.
Day 3
The next morning we drove on the east side of Flathead Lake and reached the Adamsons in Columbia Falls just before noon. They have a beautiful new home they will stay in until they build their own custom home. Ahlani was there, working from 'home' with her dog, Totem (who wouldn't approach us the whole time we were there). We took a ride over to see the property they have and it will be gorgeous. The neighbors were there, busy building on their property so we chatted with them as well. We walked around Whitefish and got an ice cream. That evening, we went to the local Farmer's Market/ Food Truck event. Had crepes for dinner and listened to the great band.
Day 4
While Phil and Lynda headed into town for a meeting with their architect, we took showers and cleaned up. Lynda was a bit under the weather so she stayed home that afternoon and Phil took us to Glacier Park to drive the Road to the Sun up to Logan Pass. Gorgeous Park!
Day 5
Off about 9am and we headed west through some beautiful country. Adamsons stayed overnight in a hotel in Yakima and we spent the night in the parking lot after a great Mexican dinner next door to the hotel.
Day 6
After a quick stop at WalMart to pick up some wine for the cruise, it was westward bound again. We found the Cruisepark fairly easily and were soon on the shuttle to the pier. Met up with Phil and Lynda outside of the terminal and boarded the Star Princess. We went to the Lido Deck for lunch and then walked around. Not sure we ever really got the lay of the ship the whole week. We watched to ship leave the pier, went to the muster meeting and unpacked. Before dinner, we ventured out to the lounge chairs on the Lido deck to watch the video of the Santana Concert. Then it was dinner in the Capri Lounge with 2 other couples. We had to leave before dessert to get to the Princess Theater to see comedian Steve Caouette. An absolute riot! Good thing we didn't get there late..he had a good time with late comers. We enjoy our cruise director, Gary Golding. High energy and quite funny.
Day 7
I had signed up for a stretch class at 9:30 am and the rest of the group attended a lecture by naturalist, John Manka. We really toured around today, trying to see as much of the boat as possible. Of course we ate regularly and rested often. In the afternoon, Lynda was still recuperating from the bug she has and I went to the gym with the guys. Rog did karate while Phil did weights and I walked on the treadmill. This evening's show was Bart Rockett doing some amazing magic.
Day 8
When we woke up, we were in Ketchikan and the sun was just starting to rise. After breakfast in the Horizon Cafe, it was off to walk the town. We spent all morning browsing the hundreds of shops. Highlights were the carvings done by Eddie Lee and Creek Street. We were back on the ship for lunch at 1, then rested in the cabin for a bit before having wine on the balcony. After dinner in the Capri Lounge, we saw Bart Rockett do a comedy/magic act. After the main show, we caught the magnificent pianist/vocalist Daniel Oliver in the piano lounge. What a voice!
Day 9
Ordered room service and got up early to enjoy Tracy Arms, but saw only fog out the window. After about an hour of remaining stationary, Captain Tuval announced that it was not safe to go into the fjord. Byebye. Disappointing, but a good reason to return! On to Juneau. We walked around the town and went into the Red Dog Saloon. Juneau is more of a city without the quaintness of Ketchikan, but plenty of shops and opportunities to spend money. Adamsons took a glacier excursion and we relaxed on board. Lunch in Horizon, and some naptime (I saw a lot of movies this week!). We went to dinner a bit earlier tonight and were able to get a private table. After dinner, we met up with Adamsons for the production show, "Motor City", a tribute to Motown. We relaxed in the Piazza listening to a string quartet while Adamsons had their dinner. We all joined up to listen to Daniel in the piano lounge before heading back to the cabin.
Day 10
I love waking up in a new port and not do anything but sleep while getting there. My kind of cruising. Today it was Skagway. We decided to eat in the dining room and had breakfast in the Capri. Not the variety of the Horizon, but great service and atmosphere! We spent the morning walking around the town before returning to the ship for a quick lunch before our train ride at noon. Ketchikan is more than quaint. Definitely a tourist town, the architecture rivals the surrounding scenery. We loved this place and it was worth the long walk from the ship. We walked more than 5 miles total. The train picked us up at the end of the pier after lunch and it was a beautiful trip. Rog took plenty of pictures of scenery and trestles. We got back to the ship just in time to see the sled dog puppies in the atrium. Then it was time for a short nap before meeting the Adamsons for dinner in the Capri. The show after dinner was Steve Caouette again. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. After the show, we caught some dixieland jazz then headed over to see Bart Rockett do more magic and a ventriloquist act. After seeing Steve's show, it fell a bit short. Adamsons went to catch Steve's second show and we listened to Daniel in the piano lounge before hitting the sack.
Day 10
A whole day at sea with no 5 mile walks! We had a relaxing morning after breakfast in the Capri where our waiter, Ekko, taught us how to make paper airplanes for today's contest (which we never got to!). The morning show in the Princess Theater was a variety show/demonstration by the culinary staff. Following the show, they led us on a walk through the HUGE, absolutely spotless, galley. We really wasted the day away with eating, napping, and walking around the boat. I did see a whale fluke today...some whale blows, sea lions, and dolphins. After dinner in the Capri, we watched another production by the Princess singers and dancers, "Born to Dance". These guys do such a good job. Great entertainment. Rog and I did a little dancing ourselves in the atrium, listening to the Band Supersonics.
Day 11
We decided to meet the Adamsons for the brunch in the Portofino Room at 10, so we got hot tea and coffee and sat above the Lido deck to watch the Cirque de Soleil on the large screen before meeting up with the Adamsons. Captain Tuval came by and said hello to us...byebye! Brunch was fabulous. We attended the John Manka talk about glaciers, then wandered into the final half of the officer/guest trivia game. There was a much too brief dance routine done by the Princess singers and dancers, then a very lazy afternoon. We met the Adamsons for afternoon tea in the Capri. (Glad we didn't have lunch today!) Rog did karate in the cabin and there was another movie for Sue. We skipped dinner in the Capri Lounge and met up at the late afternoon show, The Voice of the Ocean. Great fun and some real talent. We watched the ship dock in Victoria then headed into town. It was 2 miles into town, with a short stop at Fisherman's Wharf to look at the shops and houseboats. Rog and I had never seen Victoria at night, and the lights were fabulous. We walked through the Empress Hotel and along the waterfront before taking the 2 mile walk back to the ship. Not really hungry, we HAD to eat so headed up to the Lido deck for burgers and the Horizon Cafe.
Day 12
All good things must come to an end. We opted for the express walk off so got up early enough to get packed and eat before the 7:30am departure. Met the Adamsons leaving their cabin and we headed to the Horizon Cafe one last time. Then it was back to the cabin to get our luggage, give farewells to Renier, our steward, and get into line for the exit. The disembarkation went smoothly, we found our shuttle and were back to Tess by 8:30. Farewells to the Adamsons and we took off for Redmond to see our good friends, Dick and Judy Byce. We got there just in time to see Judy before she headed off to church, and then had a relaxing couple of hours with Dick, enjoying his home and yard improvements. By 11 we were on the road heading south. Rog did a great job, getting us just south of Roseburg, mostly trough some heavy rain. We spent the night in an RV park in Myrtle Creek, buying some groceries in a small deli. We feasted on a hot pocket. a deli sandwich, and mini peanut butter Ritz crackers. Quite a letdown from cruise ship fare. I spent the evening sorting through our 300 pictures.
Day 13
Ready for home! Up early and enjoyed a cup of joe and tea before heading to Medford for breakfast at a Starbucks. Rog decided to go the "back way" through Oroville and we were happy to be warm with sunshine once again. We got home by 2pm and had things pretty well sorted out within the hour.
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