Cruise to Alaska - final entry

May 24 - Friday

            Well, I'm nearing the last day now.  And I've only barely touched upon each area.  Perhaps after my film develops and I'm working on my scrapbook, I'll be able to detailize [okay, I know it's not an actual word and probably knew that at the time but that is the actual word I had used - sorry folks] it a little more.

            Mom and I did find the game room.  We played gin and cribbage [I for the life of me don't remember playing cribbage as that was something she had done with Patrick.] I won gin, she on cribbage.

            We packed.  We scowled.  It was our last day.  We went to the talent show.  It was somewhat of a disappointment - not that the participants weren't talented.  They were.  But there were only four who participated.

           

            I don't recall what we did after that.  Read probably.  We were always reading.  We should[n't] have gone to the Cafe de Sol for a buffet so that we'd have room for the pasta bar offered at 11:15. [I vowed the next time I cruise I would bring a doggy bag as the food is so delicious - I wish there had been a way to preserve that]

    We had to tip the waiters  The head waiter, Monolo, had prepared a special pasta for our table.  It was my birthday - or will be. [my birthday is on the 28]  The waiters brought me a cake and sang to me. 

May 25 - Saturday

            We went back to the cabin so that Gaetano could clean it.  We took all our luggage and waited in the Princess Theatre.  I should have excused myself and gone up to the breakfast bar.  But I didn't think about it until after we got home.  The cruise was over.  People had gone from their relaxed state to being in a hurry again.  Everybody wanted off the boat.  No.  I didn't.  I wasn't at all anxious to leave.

            Well, I had hoped to spend some time with [a friend I had started writing to but had never met] as she lived in Vancouver.  Each of us had been given tags to put on our luggage. We had to wait until the color of our tag was called.  Grandma was very excited when they called "red" but her tags were pink.  Mom and I stayed in the theatre and red and our tag color wasn't called until about two hours after grandma's was.  

            Approximately 10:00, we disembarked.  We left the ship and entered the port at Vancouver.  We were there for about an hour and a half I guess.  We found our luggage and dropped it off again and waited for a shuttle

            I found the phone number of my friend but got her answering machine.  I told the machine where I was and how soon I'd be leaving.  But they found me at the airport.  She introduced me to her fiancee nance and I told them I was hungry. We strolled around and got some food.  The Vancouver airport looks like a mall. I paid for my expenses in traveler checks, but the change came back in Canadian currency which I, in turn, gave to Nina - it's not as if I'll have a use for it [I remember she and Wayne rummaging through the coins to give me back ones which they thought looked cool that I could hang onto as memorabilia.  And some of it was] 

            We hadn't visited for even two hours before they had to go as they had to return to their jobs.  Mom and I went shopping and I read.  Mom and I walked to the gate after that.  We had to go through customs which we both found interesting.

            First, we had passed a gift shop.  One last souvenir - no not postcards.  This time a t-shirt.  Well, two, actually.  My least expensive purchase of the trip.

            The airport was wild.  the doors on the bathroom stalls looked like a blue-green fort - the doors must have been 7 - 8 feet high.  My friend, who is on the shorter side, made the comment that the doors made her feel short[er].

            Our plane was late.  Scheduled to depart at 5:00 instead of 4:30.  Still was late after that.  I called Sunny from the airplane phone.  I thought that was wild.

Sidenotes:

I can't believe that I hadn't made any reference to the talking elevators.  This was before Seri or Alexa but had a similar sounding voice.  It would say: "Welcome to the Promina Deck" or "You are now on the Baja Deck" which in the beginning was a cool feature to almost all the passengers that I had encountered.  You could see the joy on each of their faces as they got on and off.  By the end of the cruise - well, that was a different story.  People would get on an start to mimic in a most unpleasant way.

During our excursions to Glacier Bay and College Fjord, passengers didn't even have to leave their states to see them.  Grandma and Mom chose to view from the televised devise which was in the cabin.  How boring.  We could stay home and watch a documentary on television.  Sure, it was a bit chilly outside.  But come on.  Seeing the glaciers on screen is NOT the same as looking at them in person.

Though I had physically gotten off the boat, it took two or three days for my body to adjust to sea motion that really wasn't there anymore.  I felt as if I appeared drunk walking on land.  I could still sense the movement of the boat.  Weird.

I would love to go on another cruise.  I don't know if I will have the opportunity to do so again.  Those who repeat cruises may earn pins.  As mom and grandma had both been on cruises before, they were invited to the captains gala.  I had never been on a cruise but think the invitation had been extended to me as both of my companions were going.

I had ordered a mocktail.  When my drink was replaced, I think it had been with a cocktail with rum.  I took two sips before I figured it out.  I did not continue to drink it. 

Lead by Example

          Once a week a devotional was offered at the main building on campus when I attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.  During the week, the devotional was offered for purchase at the bookstore.  It was also broadcast on the local campus radio for those who did not desire to attend the conference but wanted to listen. Some of these I had recorded myself as I would be engaged in other activities - like doing dishes - and wasn't giving my full attention. 

          Such was the case of the last devotional offered in May 1982 (I believe).  The speaker was Paul H. Dunn.  As it was the last week and the tape might not even be recorded for purchase, nor would I be in Idaho to make the purchase.  It was such an awesome devotional.  I think the broadcast said to destroy any recordings of the session - but I'm not sure - that part didn't get recorded.  I remember my roommates saying they had heard it.  Too bad.  I couldn't bring myself to destroy it.  It was beautiful.  I hung onto it.  I called it my "illegal" tape recording.

          I probably have most of the tape memorized - though not in a specific order.  I do remember his relating learning from his dad - how his dad had counseled that Paul would lead and people would follow.  The example he used came several years later when he was and another authority figure had been called to give a blessing to a member who was at a Veteran hospital.  Elder Dunn reminded us to imagine the circumstances surrounding a Veteran hospital and how there is not much in the way of privacy as one may be accustomed to when giving or receiving a priesthood blessing.  He reflected his dad's words to lead and asked for the attention of all the men surrounding him.

          I don't know if I remember the exact quote word for word, but he announced why he was there and that he didn't know what faith any of the men were but asked if they would combine whatever beliefs they had and display a reverence so that he could give the priesthood blessing.  He described the reverent setting and said as they were leaving, at least three more men asked for blessings.

          For some, the ability to lead just comes naturally.  It isn't thought about.  It isn't a role they intended to aspire to.  Great leaders are gifted, I think. One example of great leadership is my daughter, Jenna.  She has always been a leader - encouraging pre-school classmates into following directions and praising them when they got it right, including everybody and not singling out those who couldn't walk or weren't as socially active, and being a friend to all.

          Over the years she has had many friends who had ADD and ADHD or were socially awkward or somehow didn't fit in with their peers.  Jenna has never discriminated but embraces each one into her social circle.  She doesn't show favoritism.  And as I have mentioned countless times, Jenna is her own self.  She never chose to be a role model for others, but she is greatly admired because she is who she is;  she uplifts others and refuses to allow others to bring her down.

          We went to the Riddle Library yesterday.  Although Myrtle Creek has tried adapting the summer reading program to teens as well as younger youth, the participation, unfortunately, is not as good as Riddle.  I realize that before we get to Riddle, Lacie has always anticipated Jenna's arrival.  I didn't get the gist of it until yesterday when I visited with her mom.

          Lacie has a huge amount of allergies - especially with aerosols and cleaning chemicals.  They have made her sick and she has had seizures and epilepsy.  She will be starting her final year of high school in the fall.  Jenna will be starting her first year.  Jenna is socially accepted by practically everybody.  Lacie, who has missed out on a lot of childhood due to illness, has a hard time fitting in as her social skills are less sophisticated for her peers.  She asked me and Jenna if we were in a hurry to leave the library or if we could hang out for a while. 

          I did have a lecture starting in another hour and a half, but did not have any other commitment.  Lacie needed Jenna.  So they laughed and played.  Jenna taught Lacie every camp song she had ever learned.  They both had fun.  I'm not quite sure who enjoyed it more.  It's too bad for Lacie that they won't be attending the same high school.

          I like that my daughter is a great example and friend to all.  Jenna is an awesome leader.  I love her so much. 

Cruise to Alaska - Misty Fjords

written on May 27, 1996

This font refers to what was written in 1996        and this font is my own commentary in the present.

May 23 - Thursday

                Wake up sometime between 4:30 and 5:00.  Made my way out of bed to go to the bathroom.  When I got back I decided I really wasn't through.  And then I felt nauseated.  So after I throw up a few times, I put on my pants and sweatshirt and went for a walk.  When I found a clock, it said 4:50.  So I don't know if I was really up before 4:30 or not.  Maybe.

            Anyway, we weren't getting into Ketchikan until noon.  I planned on sleeping until then.  Only after I finally got up, I decided I should probably eat.

            Grandma and I went to the Palm Court dining room at 1:30 and wolfed down our hamburgers in order to have time to catch our tour at 12:30.  Float plane to Misty Fjord - wh[ich] I had been interested in most of all our side tours.

                It was cool.  It was so cool. And I had gotten a battery after [toying with the idea] for almost a whole day.  Two cameras.  Awesome pictures. [Though I may have believed it at the time, the pictures at present do not do justice to what I saw with my naked eyes.] It was great.  I'd never been in a seaplane.  It was so peaceful.  We landed on the lake.  Gosh, it was gorgeous.

            Downtown Ketchikan was straight off the boat.  We went back to unload our stuff and grandma and then went back to shop.

            Oh, I didn't mention that I had [purchased] a new coat at the gift shop on the boat the night before.  My big purchase - cost more than any of the tours.  But now I am very happy about it.

            Anyway, we [purchased] some more sweatshirts, books, jewelry and of course, postcards.  I bought a hart just before I got back on the ship.  Should have probably gotten one for grandma.

            [I don't remember the hat at all.  I probably did give it to grandma instead of keeping it for myself]

            Another formal evening.  And we had been invited to the Captains Circle cocktail party (we're such the party animals) and had our pictures taken and then once again in the dining room.  And I took several pictures of our waiters.  I hope they turn out.

Cruise to Alaska - Juneau

written on May 27, 1996

This font refers to what was written in 1996        and this font is my own commentary in the present.

May 22           Wednesday

            [The] Casinos are closed while [the ship] in [is] Alaskan waters - I suppose that's another reason why there were so many people on the outside during the glacier bay excursion.  I don't know what they did for the next few days and up until Thursday night when the casinos opened again - not that I cared.  I don't even think I knew where the slot machines or the dome were located . . . I'm not a gambler. 

            When we were asked to make a decision about which tours to take, I said I didn't much care about what we did in Juneau.  There was a wildlife tour offered and also a nature walk that I had checked as possibilities.  Mom said that she had wanted to go river rafting which really surprised me.  [And so] that is what we did. 

            A bus took us out to Mendenhall Lake.  Our driver pointed out some landmarks to us as we went.  Of course, the only one I can remember at this particular time was the three schools.  Elementary, Jr. high and high school - all next to each other which I thought was interesting.  I guess that's why I remember it.

            There were six of us assigned to the boat.  The other three were from a different cruise line.  Our guide's name was Liz.  I took several pictures of the lake and several more of the river [sharing these few as I did not scan them all]  We were given boots, ponchos, and life jackets.  It was the only day of not being on the ship that I wore my coat - we were blessed with really nice weather.

            It was overcast.  Even rained a little bit.  Nothing major though.  The glacier looked blue.  And our guide said that the glacier made the river look green.  We rowed passed a connecting river called Montana.  I am hoping the color difference will show up on my film

[it does not capture the green that we saw in person]

            It was pretty.  There were some sad areas - like the wastage (cars) that had been dumped alongside the bank.  I didn't get a picture because I had only my one camera and was told to leave the other on the bus (which was just as well - the battery had died during the night; only I hadn't discovered it until much later)

 [I honestly don't even remember bringing two cameras or ever having owned multiples]

            [I] didn't get too many pictures of mom and grandma, (as I was located on one end and they were on the other and two other passengers between us) nor did I have the opportunity to even look at grandmas' expressions.  Mom said she was thrilled.  The water was quite tame, but mom said it was the same kind of thrill as teens on a wild raft.

            We got stuck on the rocks at one point - all rafts did.  Or most anyway.  I think there was one which actually made it through without help. 

            We returned to the boat.  Mom and I ate at the buffet while grandma rested, washed up and either went to lunch or tea.  Mom and I walked from the boat into town to buy more souvenirs (and of course postcards)

            I think it was in Juneau where I bought my ornaments actually.  I charged what I could.  I had decided I hadn't really needed to get traveler's checks [after all]

            Oh, I must mention that during the glacier bit, there had been an Italian dinner and we had our pictures taken with a pirate.  Neither that one nor our embarkment pictures turned out - or at least not that we saw.  And we did look for them every day.

            Mom did find my glacier picture and I [purchased] that along with two pictures of our disembarkment in Skagway.  When we disembarked we were greeted by a mascot moose and bears and had our pictures taken with each.  So I [purchased] three pictures I guess it was the same day we had gone to Juneau

            And the dress was semi-formal.  And we had our pictures taken again.  This time a prop display - bar and float tire of the regal princess and a backdrop of water and the moon

            The cuisine was French.  Mom and I both tried snails.  My main course that night was trout, I think.  Ocean trout certainly tastes different than the river trout of Utah.  Probably my most bland meal other than the eggs.  

            Mom and I had gone to a movie trivia challenge and so did not get to the theatre until first after the magician's act had started.  I think she probably enjoyed the trivia things and hadn't missed out on a whole lot.  It was okay.  I liked the princess dancers best - although the juggling act was quite impressive.  And we had front row seats for that one, but in a way it seemed we were too close.

Ward Service and updates

            Myrtle Creek has a summer festival at the end of July or the weekend closest to July 25th.  We learned that our first year here when Roland had asked one of the members about Pioneer Days - a holiday celebrating the movement of the pioneers to Salt Lake City, Utah.  Our ward here does a service project the Saturday prior to the Saturday of summer fest.  The first year we had moved in, we had gone to Riddle to clean up the cemetery here.  I took several pictures though I was not yet familiar with the majority of members who appeared in each photo. 

            The following year we had painted the shed and spruced up the track and bleacher area at the high school.  I must have forgotten my camera that day.  I don't recall having taken any photographs.  I was hoping that my sister's family would be in town that afternoon or evening, but a fire alarm had disturbed their sleep and put them behind schedule (see here).  So they were not there for service project or pool party afterward.

            Last year we had gone to the American Legion on Old Pacific to spruce up grounds and add stars to the building (it is actually pretty cool looking) 

Before picture taken from Google maps

same building after: taken July 22, 2017 ward activity

I took more pictures of our service project there than I had at Riddle but does not appear that I posted anything - not even on facebook.

            Yesterday's project was at Millsite Park.  I would have taken pictures had I had a camera, but I don't.  And as you can see from my blackberry pics (a few posts back) my cell phone does not take great pictures and would not have been worth the effort.  Mulch was dumped between the walking path and ballpark and looks really nice.  I will have to add pictures at a later date.

            As always, we had a barbeque and pool party later in the evening.  I had not been feeling well but had chosen to go for the barbeque - which may have not been the wisest decision.  I was there for only forty minutes or so before I had Roland bring me back home.

            I aced both of my classes.  My accounting teacher praised me for including Hershey's code of Ethics on my report.  Truth be known, I wasn't including it because I thought it should be part of my report or because I found it interesting.  I needed over 1,200 words and had included whatever I could for the sake of word count.

            I also introduced my Ethics instructor to a made-up place of work based on an actual family owned business that I would guess does not use an auditor, which I had chosen as it has been the subject of my other class.  For the sake of my report (PowerPoint) I had to use my major as a profession for a place of business - not that I will ever specialize in auditing unless it is for nonprofit - which is the point of view I took for my PowerPoint.  All done.  Both classes complete.  I will start another accounting class tomorrow.

Cruise to Alaska Glacier Bay & Skagway

written on May 27, 1996

This font refers to what was written in 1996        and this font is my own commentary in the present.

May 20  Monday

            Our cabin steward was named Gaetano.  He left a new Princess Patter each night to inform us of the events that would be held the following day.

            We entered Glacier Bay.  For the most part, people were seen on the decks and outside of the boat - probably more that day than the rest put together.  We visited two glaciers and the ship stopped for each one and turned around.  They were pretty.  Still not what I had expected.

            There was a juggling act before our scheduled dinner and so we went and saw that.  We were greeted by the head waiter when we went into the dining room.  Everyone had missed us as we had not been there the night before.  That was pretty cool - the warm welcome and sincerity. 

            Trying new foods was great.  And having the option of having appetizers and so forth to add to the main meal.  Oh, the food was so wonderful.  Of course, I weigh more now than when the cruise began.

            After dinner, we went to see How to Make an American Quilt - that was interesting. A show I'll probably appreciate more with each time I see it - if I have that desire.

            Bed Again.

May 21 - Tuesday

            Now, this should be a more lengthy entry.  We stood in yet another line on Monday so that we could pay for tour trips.  Today we will do the first two on our side trip list agenda.

           

            Enter Skagway.  Population 700 or thereabouts.  I can't remember if that's the summer or winter population.  There are twice as many in summer than in winter.

            We're told that we arrived at 5:30 a.m. - I was fast asleep and have no way of knowing if we were on time that day or not.  Our first tour started at either 8:00 or 8:30 - I had told mom and grandma that I did not want to wake up before 7:00.  And so they went to breakfast without me.  For the next few days, in fact.  Grandma snored loudly and I seemed to have to go to the bathroom more often (different air I would imagine) and since climbing out of my bed was such a chore, I didn't really sleep all that well.

I remember walking around the boat a few times when it was only 3:00 a.m.  That's when the janitorial action happens.  And apologies to my family who have had their fair share of hearing me snore loudly.  I am not aware that I am doing it. 

 

After we disembarked for our first tour, we took a bus to the summit.  On our way, we stopped off at a gold panning camp, heard stories about Skagway and legends of conmen - particularly one who earned the nickname Soap - E (I don't know the spelling that was used; I had originally spelled s-o-p-p-y but the pronunciation is a hard O) and had a lesson on how to pan for gold and received opportunity to do so for ourselves - oh, boy - what a thrill (NOT)

Then up to the summit - that was quite beautiful.  Of course, I took many pictures of that area [back before digital cameras; mine required film] the sign converting 55 miles into 90 kilometers.  

The bus driver let those of us who wanted to get off the bus and walk across the Canadian border.  That was fun.

When the tour ended the driver said he could drop anyone who wanted to get off in town before taking the rest back to the ship.  And so mom and I found souvenirs (hers were sweatshirts while I wnt for a stack of postcards)

We took a shuttle back to the boat (it cost us a dollar each) and ate lunch in the dining room.  Mary Ann (one of our dinner companions) told about the glaciers she had visited.  And we told her and her parents what we did. 

After lunch, we disembarked the ship once again to take a second tour - this time by street car.  And some of the stories we heard were the same [as the ones we had been told on the bus trip] but some details seemed a little different. 

I thought it was interesting that there was only one school in Skagway.  Grades 1 - 12

Skagway was a cute little town.  We were supposed to set sail at 6:30 but didn't leave until after 7:00.