July 2, 2000, Sunday. Well, this morning I didn't have to call Mom at 10 AM in Florida. It's a good thing, because that would have been at 6 AM local time. As we awoke we were in Alaskan waters, about 10 south of Juneau. The cell phone worked so we downloaded our email. Breakfast was at the sit down Orion Restaurant, and, after yesterday's problems, today was considerably better. The coffee cups never got emptied, the water glass were kept full, and the food was served in a reasonable time. But, with four course breakfasts, it still takes an hour plus. With 13 of us in the dining room (Jordan was still the sleep in king), we watched the ship dock in Juneau, and then disembarked. Mom and Elaine took a tour with another couple to the glacier and around town. The rest of the kids, sans Rob and Deb, took a cab to the Mendenhall glacier and hiked for two hours. The remaining six of us, took the Mt. Robert's Tramway up 1800 feet above town, and hiked up from there. It worked out well that we each did our own thing, with as much or as little exercise as desired. Rob and Deb even hiked down from the tramway summit.
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
At 3 PM, 12 of us got on the bus for our raft trip past the Mendenhall Glacier and lake, and into the river. It was class three water, and we were lucky to get the only paddle boat. Eight of us paddled, four went along for the ride, and our guide pointed us in the right direction. The raft company provided ponchos, pants and rubber boots, which, basically kept us dry, even though our exteriors were wet. With water temperature at 34 degrees, it would be cold water to swim in. Fortunately, we all stayed inside the boat. The photo company took some great shots of our passing the pinball rapids. Our trip passed numerous bald eagles and an active beaver.
 |
 |
|
|
|
Upon our arrival back on the ship, we noticed the effect of the changing tides. We had arrived in the morning at high tide, and the gangways were fairly steep. Now, the gangways were almost horizontal. During periods of storms and the full moon, tidal changes approach 30 feet. Twenty feet is normal. This full service ship is great. We wanted to kibbutz in the room with David, Paula, Debi, and Steve, so just call room service, and in 15 minutes the fruit and cheese platters arrived, along with hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
Mom had arranged for us to have two adjacent tables in the dining room. Experienced as she was, the request included window tables, with round tops, in an alcove, almost a private dining room. None of these long tables that don't permit cross conversation. To keep things interesting, for each dinner we drew cards, with the six red cards and eight black cards determining where everyone sits. It keeps things flowing and everyone gets to mix with everyone during the week.
So far, and I hope not to upset the apple cart, the weather has been great, with temperatures in the mid to upper 50's and overcast. You can do all of the outdoor activities without he need for rain gear or the fear of overheating. During our hike today we met a fellow that grew up in Asbury Park, on the Jersey seashore. He said it was a good thing that we weren't here in Juneau a few weeks ago. The clouds parted, and with 18 hours or more of sunlight, the temperatures were in the 90's, and the mosquitoes were three to four inches across. These are also known as the state bird, along with the satellite dish.
The ships are cashless vessels. Prior to boarding, you present your charge card, and in your room is a plastic shipboard charge card and ID and room key, all in one. Tips, where applicable are automatically added, so all that is needed is a signature. It makes things easy not having to carry a wallet.
Homes in the Juneau area are extremely expensive, approximately the 10th most expensive in the world. Land is cheap with acreage costing $3000-$4000 per, but all materials must be brought in, at a cost of 30 cents, or more, per pound. So, average looking 2500-3000 square foot homes cost $750,000. Just about their weight in gold!
Talk about long days, official sunset was 10 PM, but there was light in the sky at 1 AM. Official sunrise was at 5 AM, thus, it really never got totally dark. But, with one stretch starting in September last year, that produced 120 straight days of rain, this wouldn't be the first choice of living spots.
July 2, 2000, Sunday. Well, this morning I didn't have to call Mom at 10 AM in Florida. It's a good thing, because that would have been at 6 AM local time. As we awoke it we were in Alaskan waters, about 10 south of Juneau. The cell phone worked so we downloaded our email. Breakfast was at the sit down Orion Restaurant, and, after yesterday's problems, today was considerably better. The coffee cups never got emptied, the water glass were kept full, and the food was served in a reasonable time. But, with four course breakfasts, it still takes an hour plus. With 13 of us in the dining room (Jordan was still the sleep in king), we watched the ship dock in Juneau, and then disembarked. Mom and Elaine took a tour with another couple to the glacier and around town. The rest of the kids, sans Rob and Deb, took a cab to the Mendenhall glacier and hiked for two hours. The remaining six of us, took the Mt. Robert's Tramway up 1800 feet above town, and hiked up from there. It worked out well that we each did our own thing, with as much or as little exercise as desired. Rob and Deb even hiked down from the tramway summit.
At 3 PM, 12 of us got on the bus for our raft trip past the Mendenhall Glacier and lake, and into the river. It was class three water, and we were lucky to get the only paddle boat. Eight of us paddled, four went along for the ride, and our guide pointed us in the right direction. The raft company provided ponchos, pants and rubber boots, which, basically kept us dry, even though our exteriors were wet. With water temperature at 34 degrees, it would be cold water to swim in. Fortunately, we all stayed inside the boat. The photo company took some great shots of our passing the pinball rapids. Our trip passed numerous bald eagles and an active beaver.
Upon our arrival back on the ship, we noticed the effect of the changing tides. We had arrived in the morning at high tide, and the gangways were fairly steep. Now, the gangways were almost horizontal. During periods of storms and the full moon, tidal changes approach 30 feet. Twenty feet is normal. This full service ship is great. We wanted to kibbutz in the room with David, Paula, Debi, and Steve, so just call room service, and in 15 minutes the fruit and cheese platters arrived, along with hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.
Mom had arranged for us to have two adjacent tables in the dining room. Experienced as she was, the request included window tables, with round tops, in an alcove, almost a private dining room. None of these long tables that don't permit cross conversation. To keep things interesting, for each dinner we drew cards, with the six red cards and eight black cards determining where everyone sits. It keeps things flowing and everyone gets to mix with everyone during the week.
So far, and I hope not to upset the apple cart, the weather has been great, with temperatures in the mid to upper 50's and overcast. You can do all of the outdoor activities without he need for rain gear or the fear of overheating. During our hike today we met a fellow that grew up in Asbury Park, on the Jersey seashore. He said it was a good thing that we weren't here in Juneau a few weeks ago. The clouds parted, and with 18 hours or more of sunlight, the temperatures were in the 90's, and the mosquitoes were three to four inches across. These are also known as the state bird, along with the satellite dish.
The ships are cashless vessels. Prior to boarding, you present your charge card, and in your room is a plastic shipboard charge card and ID and room key, all in one. Tips, where applicable are automatically added, so all that is needed is a signature. It makes things easy not having to carry a wallet.
Homes in the Juneau area are extremely expensive, approximately the 10th most expensive in the world. Land is cheap with acreage costing $3000-$4000 per, but all materials must be brought in, at a cost of 30 cents, or more, per pound. So, average looking 2500-3000 square foot homes cost $750,000. Just about their weight in gold!
Talk about long days, official sunset was 10 PM, but there was light in the sky at 1 AM. Official sunrise was at 5 AM, thus, it really never got totally dark. But, with one stretch starting in September last year, that produced 120 straight days of rain, this wouldn't be the first choice of living spots.
CLICK
HERE TO:
