Mt. McKinley Through Our Camera's Eyes

We're told that, because of the clouds, few people actually get to see the "big guy" when they visit Alaska! At the Princess Wilderness Lodge they actually have a notification call when 'he' appears if you sign up for it. Thankfully, we did sign up in the nick of time shortly after arriving there because as we were just about to fall asleep for a badly needed nap the phone rang alerting us that he'd peeped his head out. We were able to get this beautiful shot with our very own camera. Now, of course, we could have bought a post card with a far better photo, but somehow that wouldn't have been quite the same, don't you agree!

Backing up a few days ago: We arrived home very late Monday night and managed to get to bed around 2: 30 a.m. Tuesday. The last two days we spent in Seattle proved to be very exciting in part as we rode a Grayline bus around the whole city with a guided tour and took tons of pictures. Bob enjoyed the BEST SALMON dinner of the entire trip. Can you imagine, even better than in Alaska? We have to recommend Elliott's Seafood Restaurant on Pier 56 if you go to Seattle both for their Oysters or their Salmon. We sat outside and enjoyed the sunset and the food.

Our Princess Diamond Cruise Ship was luxurious and has taught us that we can be together day and night for a solid 2 weeks (first time in 13 years) and survive!!! It was actually quite nice! We learned a lot from the different folks we dined with who'd had many cruises. One couple had taken a 3 1/2 month cruise, something we can't imagine doing, but then they didn't think they would enjoy doing so either. We now know that it probably pays to make all the arrangements beginning with the airline to the hotel transfers, land tours, etc. THROUGH the cruise line...if for no other reason than to NOT have to lug the luggage around yourself.

A funny thing happened when we arrived in Seattle: The QuickCoach driver told us as we exited that we wouldn't need to call a taxi. He said our hotel was just around the corner within walking distance. We were carrying 2 rolling luggage bags each (hooked of course) but in addition we had over the shoulder heavy pieces and poor Bob had his briefcase, his breathing machine and his camera case plus another separate carryon bag...SO, we looked somewhat like 'homeless' people looking for a place to land. I was starting to feel that way, too, when we couldn't find any #'s to guide us to 8th Ave. Finally, Bob went in another hotel and they gave him a map which helped us find our way and our journey ended up being 8 blocks from where we began! I can't believe the driver thought it would be such an easy thing for a 65 and 72 year old to do, carrying all that luggage, no less!!!

My internal time clock is finally readjusting to the Eastern timezone! I've been really excited about downloading our pictures onto the computer. It's been hard to catch up on e-mail, snail mail, laundry...all the 'return to REAL LIFE stuff after being away, but I can say that it's so worth it. This has been a great, blessed vacation. We really felt God's favor as we heard over and over, "you're having sunshine..something we haven't seen all lousy summer." Also, being in ALASKA when the news about Sarah Palin's choice as McCain's running mate hit the media was quite exciting! She sure is popular among the locals. We drove right through Wasilla where she was mayor. The worst weather we experienced was in Juneau and I felt a little sorry for her having to live there since it gets 104 inches of rain each year. No wonder she didn't hesitate when she was asked if she'd take the job as Vice-President :>)

Well, I'll try to have something different to write about but, for now this trip has been the focus of our attention and it just keeps bubbling up. Oh, by the way, not only did I turn a year older, my oldest daughter turned another year older, so since we're 20 years apart that makes the two of us at the halfway point toward another decade (she pointed that out to me). A son turned another year older and two grandsons turned another year older and one granddaughter turned another year older!!! It's been a busy 2 weeks!!!