Thursday, September 18, 2008

Flew from Burbank to San Francisco. Stayed at the Le Meridien right next to the San Francisco Office, the more expensive option, but I had lots of luggage and wanted to be close to the BART station.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Conducted meetings and trainings in the San Francisco Office. During lunch, participated in the “Heart Walk”, which is co-sponsored by one of our biggest clients, CHW. Walked from the Embarcadero to Pier 39 and back during lunch.

Met Tim at the airport. He had flown in from Burbank. We had the same flight from SFO to Vancouver. Due to a mix-up, we did not sit together. Slept very well on the plane, as the sky outside clouded up and we moved into the Northwest weather regime.

Checked into our hotel, the Four Seasons Resort downtown, which was ironically the cheapest option.

Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21. 

Stayed in Vancouver.

Lots of walking. A mall adjoined our hotel and we were in the downtown shopping district. We took the sea bus to Granville Island, a cute little artsy place with a huge market similar to Seattle’s public market.

Went to the West End (the gay area) and ate at Hamburger Mary’s.

Had a difficult time finding cheap internet access, or any access at all. Did not finish the work that I wanted to for the beginning of the trip. 

Monday, September 22, 2008

Re-packed everything, checked out of hotel. Got in a cab, and had lots of Canadian money left. I was thinking that I could load up on that good Canadian candy for the long trip. But, there was nothing around the pier, nothing inside, and it was a really bad area outside the pier gate. So, we carried the money around until Seattle when we could exchange it. Still have the coins, though.

Checked in smoothly, took a tour of the ship. Got settled in. Unpacked everything. Left Vancouver, exited out to sea, and had a smooth sail.

Our dining table consisted of another gay couple, and a straight couple from Orange County. We immediately got along, and this was going to be a good trip.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The whole day at sea. Formal attire. 

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Stopped at Icy Straight Point, near Hoonah Alaska. Great shopping – many liquidations and deals to be had. Did most of my Christmas shopping. 

We rode on the highest, fastest, longest zip line in the world – the Zip Rider. Saws some whales at sea and a comical raven while waiting to reboard the tender.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Sailed to Hubbard Glacier. A sunny day, and the staff said it was the best run to the Glacier that they had all year. Saw some ice calf destructively into the ocean. Not much wildlife around, though.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Juneau, Alaska. I don’t like this place. It’s like an overgrown small town that never grew into a city. Cruise ship passengers get to walk by the “Glory Hole” or the homeless shelter as they stroll into town. And the town itself has very little to offer. Good shopping (again), as well as its proximity to Mendenhall Glacier, which has receded somewhat since the last time I was there. 

Weather was gloomy with a little sun. 

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Skagway, Alaska. Rained all day. Took the White Pass and Yukon Railway up to the summit, just like last time. This is really the only attraction in town and the only one we had time for. 

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Sitka, Alaska. Even worse weather. This was a tender port, and the tenders were very bumpy going in to the harbor. We found a cute art gallery, with someone who moved here from San Francisco. She says she loves it here except for this past summer. It has been like this for 2 months, she says. So, we didn’t get too lucky with the weather on this port stop. 

Sitka is the only major town on this trip that I had not visited on my previous trip. The buildings seem less old, and the only thing that really stood out was the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Ketchikan, Alaska. The jewel of the panhandle. The Salmon capital. Alaska’s gateway to the Inside Passage. It cleared up, and it was very hot for what we had prepared for. We walked around town, saw the dying salmon at Creek Street, and bought more stuff. (Salmon were dying because they had just spawned upstream - and there were lots of happy fat sea otters nearby).  By far the best town in Alaska. 

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Cruised down the entire inside passage. Some of the best scenery – it was relatively clear and nice outside. Forested islands on either side of the ship.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Seattle, WA. A curious fog hung over the buildings of downtown, but it quickly cleared away. It was sunny, hot, and smoggy. We did our usual: Pike Place Market, REI, and the Space Needle. Enjoyable, but the views were not as good as when we came here last year.

Thursday, October 02, 2008

At sea. Moving fast. Got really drunk the night before, had vivid dreams. The most rocking I’ve felt on this trip, had trouble getting up. Had to admit defeat and take some Bonine.

Friday, October 3, 2008

San Francisco, CA.  Back in the home state after some very rough seas.   My third time going under the Golden Gate Bridge.  Mostly shopped and talked all day, with Tim's old therapist and his ex- who looks like Stewey on Family Guy, and is name was Stan. 

Saturday, October 4, 2008

At sea.  Not as bad.  It warms up as we move south.  Spent the day by the pool, reading.  And getting burnt.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Avalon on Catalina Island.  Been here, done that.  I didn't leave the boat.

Monday, October 6, 2008

San Diego, CA.  Pulled in early.  Schlugged 5 pieces of huge luggage and 3 carry-ons onto the Amtrak train.  Read all morning.  Got home, finished unpacking and laundry.  Tried to get ready for a stressful day this week, working 3 long days then to PA again for the wedding.  Thinking of cancelling the trip, but I just can't.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Life begins again.