Day 7 Alaska Cruise and Texas Heat Wave

Happy Monday morning everyone. Today it is suppose to reach 101 degrees. Everyday last week was between 101 and 103. See why I hate Texas summers. Steve doesn't mind it. He actually plays golf in it, but I can't walk from the house to the car with out becoming a sweat puddle. It even gets hard just to catch your breath when you are out in it. Misery!!

Now, on to cooler thoughts...Day 7

As we slept, the Pearl sailed to Ketchikan. We woke early for our excursions. We drew back the curtain to the balcony and beheld a quaint little town built on the water's edge and up the mountain. It looked like something out of a travel book about beautiful harbors and places to visit. I stepped out onto my balcony and there almost directly below me was the Aleutian Ballad. She is beautiful and now converted for tourist. I hurried to dress, eat breakfast and scurry down the gang plank (above you can see that it took me almost right onto the Aleutian Ballad). We were welcomed aboard by Capt. Terry, Chief and Kiwi (all former Bering Sea fishermen). I got a seat in the front row (better for pics I thought) and waited to begin our journey. I had been slightly concerned about the sea sick issue being on a smaller boat, etc. But I needn't had worried. The waters we were is were calm as glass. It was wonderful. They entertained us the whole time with stories and facts and there was always something to keep your attention. This was easily my favorite excursion. Kiwi and Chief taught us about long lining and caught some nasty fish. I can't remember the name of it, but I know you never want to come in contact with those spines.

We stopped beside an island where Eagles nest. They began to feed the Eagles and they swooped in from all around us. I got some amazing shots. Here are a few.

This Eagle had a fish in his talons. Capt. Terry said he had never seen this many Eagles in one tree. The one with the brown head is a juvenile.

They are so fast it is very difficult to get good pics of them. They will be flying right at you and then roll over and dive for a fish. They a simply amazing and beautiful!

After taking pics of the Eagles and eweing and aweing, we went on to the buoys where the crab pots were soaking. Chief then threw the hook and Kiwi worked the hydraulics. Chief hand coiled the line (old school) and they brought up the pot. They opened the pot and let and let us hold the crab as they continued to educate us all with facts about crab fishing. It was really interesting and entertaining.

After returning to the dock I only had 1 1/2 hours to shop for gifts for family and friends. I had saved my shopping for Ketchikan because I heard they had some of the best shopping and because I had not really had the time to shop in the other ports. Not so smart on my part. I whizzed from store to store to get the things on my list and get back to the boat in time to board.

Upon returning to the ship they announced "Chocolate Madness" from 10:00 to 12:00 that night. We decided to catch a short nap to help us stay up for the festivities...anything for Chocolate. The chocolate was every where. Anything that could be made from chocolate was there. There were chocolate sculptures and ice sculptures. It was wonderful!! After our chocolate feast we went to our room and watched "The Wedding Date". Very cute movie.

It was a wonderful day in Ketchikan. I would love to return with more time to take in the town and local flavors. If I take this trip again I will allow myself more time for seeing the towns, shops and eating local cuisine. Tomorrow is Victoria, B.C. and the last port of the cruise.