Best shot of Lake Louise

Alan and me at Lake Louise
Alan, Marty and Janet at the Hanging Bridge in Vancouver (before Cruise)
Me, part of the story of the totem poleFortunately, the vancouver airport has free WiFi. We said good bye to Janet and Alan at the dock this morning. They drove south to Oregon. We walked around Vancouver, visited Granville Island, the vancouver and Maritime museums. They have an amazing Farmers' Market and lots of interesting shops. We are waiting for our flight to Seattle. then we will fly to Phila., arriving at 6AM.

Our last day on the cruise was at sea. We saw some orca whales and I saw a pod of dolphins when I just happened to look out the verandah doors. I took salsa lessons with Janet and we all played trivia (and lost again). I probably wouldn't have done so many cruisy things if it hadn't been for Janet. The farewell dinner was a big shebang, with the waiters sing and dancing around the tables. It was great spending so much relaxing time with Janet. We soaked in the hot tub almost every afternoon that we were on board.

More pictures tomorrow.

Ketchekan

We only have another half hour in port with internet connection, so I have to be quick. We just came back from a wonderful afternoon of kayaking. Apparently it rains every day in Ketchekan, but today was 75 degrees and clear blue skies. Even God seems to be on the board of the Make a Wish foundation. We have had perfect weather for every activity that we have planned.

I have been having trouble uploading from my computer, so you will have to wait until I am back in PA to see more pictures.

When we were kayaking, we saw a bald eagle nest with an eaglet in it and the parent near by in a tree. We also so saw a harbor seal and a red throated loon.

Yesterday we spent half the day Cruising Glacier bay which is an amazing ecosysytem. I saw mountian goats (finally) on the way in. While we were "parked" at the end of the fiord to look at the glacier fields, we saw a grizzley come to the shore and eat a fish and nose around for another half an hour. I also saw orcas, sea otters, sea lions. I also got to see the glacier "calve" That's when a big hunk of it falls into the water with a crash. I was sitting on the verandah and just happened to be looking at the glacier when I saw a huge wall of ice break off break off and make a resounding kersplash. Well we are sailing. Will be home on Sunday morning.

Lake Louise and traveling to Vancouver

We have been on Zuiderdam since Saturday. ( Today is Monday.) I have taken to ship life. Originally, cruising didn't appeal to me except for standing on deck looking at the scenery. But I am really enjoying the fancy dinners and all the other amenities of the cruise ship. Janet and I have been line dancing, soaking in the hot tub and playing team trivia! I have been having breakfast delivered to my room each morning.

The pictures are mostly of Lake Louise. After Lake Louise we drove to Mission to pick and J. and Alan's car, then on to Vancouver. We visited the Hanging Bridge and had Thai food. Pictures to follow. Boarding the ship was really exciting. when we walked into our room we were astounded. I expected a little cabin with a port hole. They upgraded us to a stateroom with a double glass door and a terrace! I still feel like the recipient of make-a-wish foundation!

Yesterday we were at sea all day and it was a cloudy. Today was magnificent. It was bright, sunny and warm. This morning the ship headed up the Tracey Arm fiord. It was a beautiful cruise with mountains, glaciers and beautiful green water. We saw lots of whales. (detailes and pictures to follow). We also saw stellar lions, a harbor seal, bald eagles.

My blogging will be sporadic because I can't use the phone on the computer from the ship.

Tomorrow we go to Skagway.

Banff

Hoodoo glacier formations
big elk

There were six Elk bulls grazing
this is the scenery every where you lookAnimal count for today: 6 elk, 5 deer, 1 bear and a bunch of ground squirrels. I didn't get a picture of the bear. I was too excited and he scampered off.

We hiked the Hoodoo trail today. They are stone pillars which were either formed by erosion or glaciers. In French, it is translated as Fairy Chimneys, which is much more charming. The trail overlooked the Bow river.

We also hiked up Johnson Canyon to see the waterfalls. It was a mile and a half to the upper falls, but I couldn't make the last half mile. It was a beautiful walk, but very uphill.

We visit Lake Louise tomorrow then head toward Vancouver.

ground squirrel

Athabasca Falls

glacier

Janet Marty and Alan

big horn sheep
We traveled from Jasper to Banff today. Along the way we stopped at Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefield, Sun wapta falls and the Columbia Icefields. It was overcast today. We only saw one deer, one sheep and colony of golden mantled ground squirrels, which look like chipmunks. The sheep really are sure footed. This 0ne walked down a practically vertical rock wall.

We are staying at a very nice condo with a loft and fireplace in Banff. The stretch of highway between Jasper and Banff is purported to be among the most magnificent scenic spots in the world. I would be inclined to agree. We plan to go to Lake Louise tomorrow.

It is chilly tonight so we are relaxing at home in front of the fire. (which I started with one match for those of you who care)

Today we saw 2 bears, 1 elk, 17 big horn sheep, 6 deer, 1 pika and some sort of canine that chased the bear up the tree.

We walked around the Maligne canyon which was a deep narrow crevasse with loud rushing water. We visited Medicine lake which disappears every fall and reappears every spring. We finished our day with a nice long soak in the hot springs.

Leaving home and traveling to Canada

Pig Roast

box pig wa roasted in

My niece Kyleigh and me swimming in Deka Lake

Elton John at Citizen center in Philadelphia

We were three rows from the stage. Last Thursday, Allie and I left the beach, drove home and I packed for our British Columbia/Alaska trip. We took off for Philadelphia to stay overnight in a hotel for our early fight.

After we got settled in the hotel, we headed over to the Citizens Bank baseball field for the Elton John/ Billy Joel concert. Marty's nephew Everett, is friends with a band member and gave us free tickets. I felt like I was a recipient for the Make a Wish Foundation. Our tickets were only 3 rows from the stage. It was pretty amazing. We left early to avoid traffic and because we had to get up at 4:15 AM

Our flight to vancouver was uneventful. I got to see Star Trek again. Janet met us at the airport, we picked up our rental, dropped off Janet's car for the week and headed north to Deka Lake for the Gerard Family Reunion. Alan, Bryce and Kyleigh were already there with our tents up. Saturday was fun. We went swimming in the lake and I was runnerup in the cribbage tournament! Andy did a great job roasting the pig in his home made pig roaster.

We took off sunday morning after a huge campsite breakfast and made our way to Jasper, alberta. The drive was beautiful. We are staying in a cabin in the park and are off to tour the park today.