TUESDAY AND IT IS BACK TO THE REAL WORLD

Home again, home again jigity jog...(from my childhood). Back to reality. It feels weird to type my blog without the sense of urgency of each minute costing me bucks and the minutes flying by so fast.

My trip was so wonderful I can barely take it in. I will go again if I can ever save up the money...lol! I was right Alaska is the most beautiful state in the union. There is still so much I want to tell y'all about and things I want to show you. I guess I should start at the beginning and go through the whole trip with pics and more detail...

Day one in Seattle was amazing. After checking into the hotel Angela called. She said Matt and herself would pick us up at the hotel and we would go to lunch. I loved meeting them. Angela is beautiful inside and out. Matt has a gruff, fisherman exterior with a heart of gold. They are both funny, warm and down to earth people. My two friends have never even seen one episode of DC, but can not wait to see it now and are already fans. They had the time of their lives and we all said we could have gone home at that point happy. After picking us up Matt drove through some sights in Seattle. I told him that my daughter had two children and couldn't come and was dying back home in Texas because I was there (not literally dying). He said, well get her on he phone! I called and handed him the ringing phone. When Stephanie (or Dutch as they call here on the Northwestern Forum) answered Matt said, Your mom just paid me $5 to say I was Matt Bradly from Deadliest Catch...what is deadliest catch anyway? She was stumbling because she totally recognized his voice. He died laughing. Then I heard him say something like your mom and these gals don't know where I am taking them, but...and I saw the Northwestern right in front of me!! I kinda squealed...Steph said she heard me through the phone. OMG! It was amazing. Angela and Matt were laughing. My friends were kinda in the dark, but they appreciate the boat now and would know it anywhere.

We drove on and went to the Lockspot for the most delicious Cod I have ever eaten. We took pics, Matt graciously signed autographs for other people in the bar and I was just in a dream state...like pinch me, I can't believe this is really happening. We had a wonderful lunch. I enjoyed visiting with Angela so much. She showed us pics of their beautiful children. She is just the sweetest person you would ever hope to meet. And her and Matt are so much in love. I am so happy to call them my friends. After we left there Matt drove us back to the Northwestern and we went out on the pier and took photos and talked about his home away from home. Needless to say I was in hog heaven. We talked about the senior Mr. Hansen and what wonderful influence he was in Matt's life. It was really touching. I know that Matt loves the Hansen's just like his own family...in a way they are family.
At this point I had gotten so much more than I had ever hoped for and thought they were taking us back to the hotel, but they had other ideas. Matt drove to the Sea Star docked at Fisherman's Terminal. They had been at a Make A Wish function before they picked us up and we didn't want to impose on their time. We said you have been so sweet, please don't feel like you need to do more. They said, we are not shy and would take you back to the hotel if we weren't enjoying ourselves. We were like OK. WooHoo! We visited the Sea Star and saw the Fisherman's Memorial. It was a beautiful sculpture.

After this Matt drove us to Pike's Market (where we wanted to shop a little) to say our goodbyes. There were hugs all around and promises to keep in touch, thank yous, etc. Someone recognized Matt and said I am going to act like a big dork and ask for a pic with you. Matt said, no you are not a dork and I'd be happy to take a pic with you...so sweet. I said, Oh Matt I forgot to ask for a pic of your tatt from LA Ink. Ewe, he was happy to show us his tatt. I got some cool pics. We once again said good bye. We had such a blast that we hated to leave them. Am I the luckiest Northwestern Fan in the world or what??

Day two tomorrow. Sindee

SUNDAY NIGHT

I'm using up the last of the second round of minutes I purchased. We sailed most of the day today and got into Victoria, BC about 6:00pm. We went to Craigdorrch Castle. Steph would have loved it. Very big and grand. Then we went on a bus tour of the city. It is beautiful here. The average house price is $500,000. The houses along the water go for over a million and there are a ton of houses on the water. We will sail into Seattle in the morning and must be off the ship by 10:00am so they can clean and get ready for the next group of lucky tourist. Our flight doesn't leave Seattle till 5:40pm...who booked this flight??? We will get into Houston about midnight and then drive to Bellville (about 2 hours). I will spend the night there at The Bells' and drive home as soon as I wake up on Monday morning.

Can't wait to see everyone, Alaskan Louise

SATURDAY MORNING

Can't believe it's Sat already. This has been the most amazing thing I have ever done. I will be back with family in tow. Yesterday I went on the Alleutian Ballad and it was fantastic...even found a man for Dutch...lol! They stopped off an island and feed eagles. There must have been fifty eagles. I got some amazing pics. Then they pulled crab pots and told us all kinds of tails of the Bearing Sea. I put up pics and tell more later. Last night at 10:00pm they had a Chocolate Madness. OMG! You never so much and such amazing chocolate. It was worth staying up for. Today we get into Victoria, BC and tour Craigdorrch Castle. This should be fun.

Last night was my first inkling of home sick. I miss my grandkids and family so much!! I can't wait to get everyone their gifts...even Saydee. I miss my BFF and sharing everything with her. I could visit Alaska another month, but not without my family and friends. I would recommend this cruise to anyone. Who will call me Madame when I get home or make my beds or cater to me every need? Everyone on the ship, guest and staff, are so friendly. I slept like a baby every night and a couple of naps. The food was wonderful. The sights breath taking and over all is was an amazing adventure!!

Miss everyone and will be excited to see y'all, Sindee

THURSDAY EVENING

Today was leisurely. Slept till we woke up. Saw breathtaking glaciers and mountains. I spent most of the day sitting in front of the hugh windows in the front of the ship. Saw seals, sea otters and oh yeah, whales. Very cool. Talked to some really nice folks including some from Austin. We had dinner in the main dining room, so we dress for dinner. It was delicious. Tonight we plan to get to bed (since we all have early morning shore excursions). We are going to get in our jammies and watch Twlight on the TV. I will be going out on the Alleutian Ballard Crab Fishing Boat. Then I need to do some shopping before returning to the ship for an early sailing. Sat we will be in Victoria BC. Let me know about the storms Dutch and tell Kenzie I haven't seen any snow globes yet, but will find her something special. I did get the cutest little union suit for Saydee.

Going to get in my jammies, Sindee (AKA Alaskan Louise)

THURSDAY MORNING

We are entering Glacier Bay and it is breath taking. Yesterday we road the Skagway Street Car and learned about the history of Skagway in a humorous way. Very cool. Then we rode the White Pass Rail Road. When way up into the mountains and saw tall waterfalls, a bear and lots of beautiful sights. We shopped a little, then came back to the ship for a steak dinner. I will give you more details when I get back and am not rapidly running out of minutes...lol!

Going to see Glacier Bay from the deck. Keep your fingers crossed for whales, Sindee

TUESDAY NIGHT

It's 8:30pm here on the ship. I am blogging tonight because they have a special...half priced minutes from 8:00 till 10:00. Also my first shore excursion in Skagway in the morning is at 8:30. Had a good time today. Ate breakfast on the AFT deck in the fresh air and watched beautiful scenery. We docked in Juneau at 2:00 and I met for my shore excursion at 2:30. I went on a walking photo tour. We went to Mendenhall Glacier. saw beaver dams, etc. It was great, but we walked on rugged trails for four hours and my dogs are barking...lol! The ship departs for Skagway at 10:00pm. While we sleep we will sail to Skagway. In Skagway I am going on a Trolley Car Historical Tour of the town and then getting on the White Pass Rail Road Train. It is suppose to be a beautiful ride up into the mountains with beautiful vistas. As long as it's not walking I'm good.

Talk to y'all tomorrow, Sindee

TUESDAY MORNING

It is now 9:15am on the ship. We went through another time zone last night and turned our watches back another hour. I can not believe I have not felt even one moment of being sea sick. It is so wonderful. The captain said this is the calmest he has ever seen these waters. It is almost like glass out there. OMG!! This place is beautiful. I have taken pics from our balcony and from my favorite place on the ship, the Great Outdoors. It's on the AFT (tail end) of the ship and supports panoramic views you wouldn't believe. Yesterday morning I stood out there and watched dolphins playing in the wake. It also serves amazing food. Jackie and I have walked the entire ship from Stem to Sterm and let me tell you it's a BIG Ship! Of course to see everything you have to walk all 14 decks from front to back. It is a truly beautifully decorated ship. Last night was Lobster night and it was delicious. We had a fun day yesterday doing things on the ship, taking a nap (I never do that at home, by the ship is so relaxing and mellow), saw a show, meet new friends (several for me, the social butterfly). I could go on and on. Today we dock in Juneau at 2:00 and I have to meet for my first shore excursion at 2:30. I am going on the Juneau Photography tour. We will take a bus and then walk on a glacier, and into the wilderness. We are suppose to see eagles, beavers, beaver dams, possibly bears (not too comfortable with that), maybe whales, seals, etc. Betty and Jackie are taking the Mt. Roberts Tram. Up top 10,000ft there are some really great shops and Jackie promised to bring me down some SCRAPBOOKING supplies. We were told that is the best place to get them. When I am done with the photo tour Jackie and I are going into Juneau to shop. We must be back on the ship by 9:30 and believe you me I won't be cutting that close...lol!! I miss everyone terribly, but am having the adventure of a lifetime.

More tomorrow, ALASKAN LOUISE (AKA Sindee)