We’re having a CAPITAL time as we head into Juneau, the second largest city in the U.S. by area but a population of only 32,255. It’s kind of like the half-full boat we’re on with plenty of space to call your own. The Viking Orion is designed to handle 900 passengers but with all the itinerary changes and Covid challenges less than 400 are on board for this cruise that ends in Honolulu several weeks from now. Our stateroom is on the Starboard side, meaning that in the direction we’re heading there are always great views from our room of the coast line, mountains, and settlements. Today, we’re going to spend some time on a glacier once we arrive in port about noon.
This morning is not as rushed as yesterday, so I was able to get my full 3.1 mile run in. However, the treadmill is still my only option with high wind warnings on the outdoor decks. I remember back on our Athens to Greece cruise a few years ago when my windbreaker (windbreaker broke) ripped apart during an early morning run on the Prominade Deck. I have a secondary battle on this trip because of the much cooler temperatures. I have a feeling that most of my jogging will be in the fitness center with the slight sway of the boat adding to the chore at hand. I did move into the top 400 (now #399) on the all-time U.S.R.S.A running streak list at 5,018 consecutive days. That doesn’t count the 450,00 push-ups and sit-ups that I’ve done in just this timeframe as part of the daily exercize ritual. As long as I keep going, no one will ever pass me and I’ll continue to move by those that have retired their streaks. There are also those warriors that are on the list twice, having discontinued and then restarted again with a combined total of over 10,000 days. At my age, once I stop, I know I’ll probably never get started again.
Mendenhall Glacier is our destination this afternoon, the only glacier in the world that is apparently still growing in size. There’s also a visit to Brotherhood Bridge that will likely test my fear of heights as we watch the waters of the Mendenhall River rush by. There may still be gold in “them thar hills,” as we’re entertained by our bus guide with stories of the Alaskan Gold Rush! Juneau what I mean!
Ketchikan holds the distinction of being Alaska’s first city. It’s actually an island accessible only be ferry. Even flight passengers have to cross the water to get into town. My first vision of the town was early this morning out of our sliding glass door windows. It was an eerie sight of gray skies, mist, and fog, giving it a haunted appearance. A few hours after arriving, I was up and on the treadmill looking across at Main Street before departing for our tour. A bus took us along the waterfront, while the tour guide entertained us with jokes and stories about the fascinating history of the area.
Totem poles define their culture. These carved monoliths, some taller than 40 feet, are filled with folklore about the ravens, whales, fish, eagles, and bears that coexisted with the Native American founders and spot painted with the traditional colors of red, black, turquois, and yellow. Our first stop was at Potlatch Park featuring a large clan house with a fire pit, smoke hole, and thatched roof covered with plants, trees, and moss. There is also a carving center, whale bones, and cedar animal sculptures. These amazing structures could be moved to “greener pastures” when food got scarce. Each totem pole was fashioned around an Indian legend and you could visualize these stories being told around the fire.
My wife spent a couple of hours downtown at the gift shop after the bus returned to the ship. After seeing an eagle and walking along muddy pathways, I had enough of nature for the day and viewed the surroundings from our cabin. The downtown area is complete with a mountain stream where the seals play and the fish jump. We watched another movie in the room just before the ship began to move towards the state capital of Juneau, our next rainy port.
A satisfying day 3 to report of rough seas and gray skies that broke long enough for a sunny lunch on the aft-deck. We lingered for a while by the infinity pool to soak up another hour of Vitamin D. We then went back to our cabin for the movie “Cyrano” before the “Arctic Skies Above Us” presentation in the Explorer’s Dome. Between the swaying of the ship on that uppermost deck, the curvature of the planetarium screen, and the 3-D glasses, I was feeling a bit queasy. The walk down six floors of stairs had us staggering like drunken sailors by the time we found our seats at the Chef’s Table. Up to that point, I was not under the influence but after five courses and the premium wine pairings, I was weaving from side-to-side down the hallways without a care in the world. Hopefully, it will rock us like a baby into a good night’s sleep.
The lounge act last night was not easily digestible with a Broadway voice performing rock tunes. The flashy style of the vocalist did not mesh with the guitar player in their effort to honor the legends. Instead, they sent us to bed early with a potentially rainy tour of Ketchikan looming first thing in the morning. At least, we’ll be on solid ground and on American soil once again. I’ll only have time for a short run on the treadmill before we hook up with the guide. Once I step off the boat, I will earn the honor of crossing another state off my list, with just one of the 50 now left to visit. We’ll get to Maine next year along with Arizona, Mexico, and Egypt as the retirement adventures continue. For now, it’s temporary relief of our sea legs and Hello Alaska!
Another great dinner last night served with premium wines. During the course of the evening we were educated on the constellations by the resident astronomer, entertained by the Viking band, introduced to the ship crew, and plied with alcohol. Today is an hour longer thanks to a time change, putting four hours difference between here and home. However, all my devices now show a different time, so I’m confused – but who cares? There will be one more hour gained when we get to Hawaii, then the dreaded payback on the long flight home. Our ride has gotten a little bumpier in these Pacific waters as we head for tomorrow’s arrival in Ketchikan and the achievement of my 49th of the 50 U.S. states visited.
It will be good to be back on U.S. soil since I am probably a wanted man in Canada. (See Post #2147). The treadmill was once again my only choice in maintaining The Streak, although it was a little more rocky in these rougher waters. There was far too much wind on the outdoor deck track that will probably only be usable when we’re not moving. The temperature is 53 degrees with a touch of fog and rain. This will probably be the norm during our time in Alaska, using Hawaii to eventually dry out and warm up. I can see the Coastal Mountains in the distance through the clouds. Outside the sliding glass doors it is cool and quite windy. It will not be like yesterday when we lunched outdoors with a whale and swam in the heated pool with blue skies overhead.
My wife could not get into the yoga class this afternoon, so we’re limited to a wine tasting event, her bridge lesson, afternoon tea, and an astronomy lecture, “Under the Arctic Sky,” in the Explorers’ Dome, with its unique overhead presentation capabilities. We might enjoy another happy hour with the pianist accompanying the artwork of Edvard Munch on the Atrium screen. Dinner is at the Chef’s Table, followed by “Legends Of Guitar – A Tribute to the Greatest Guitarists of All Time” in the Star Theater. I’m skeptical as to how they can do all these legends justice? Regardless, drinks will be served!
Last night’s movie aboard the Viking Orion was appropriately “Call of the Wild” after highlights of the Queen’s funeral. Dinner was at The Restaurant while Manfredi’s is reserved for tonight. We got our first tastes of the Silver Spirits premium wines package in the Explorer’s Lounge as we watched the ship leave the dock from the uppermost level. We’re on our way out of Canada and will be in Alaska in two days.
It was too windy this morning to run on the Promenade Deck, so I had no choice but to use the treadmill. You can barely feel the ship moving now as it makes its way through the narrow Seymour Narrows. A large group of Dolphins performed just outside our outdoor patio deck as we were having breakfast in the room. My wife left to play bridge while I started the laundry. She’ll be back in the room soon so we can go to lunch, but I’m in no hurry as the scenery is magnificent.
After a few trips to the buffet, we finished folding our clean clothes and went to an astronomy presentation on “The Sky Above Us.” My wife is also interested in the cooking classes and may drag me along. I’m content with just watching the Canadian shoreline pass by – mostly uninhabited by human beings and the home of the wild living in the endless, vast forests along this passageway to the Pacific. Mount Waddington (13,176 feet) is in the distance. I prefer observing nature from a distance in the air conditioned comfort of our stateroom, stepping outside on our sunny patio on occasion or dining on the aft-deck.
I had some issues with the internet in the transition from our Sheraton Wall hotel room to the Viking cruise ship Orion, delaying the timing of this post. We were one of the first couples on board after my run this morning discovered the dock location at Canada Place. It’s a beautiful, sunny day to start our adventure to Alaska. We had lunch along with our welcome Champaign and toured the ship that is similar in layout to the boat we took from Venice to Athens last spring. It was then exhausting to unpack our six suitcases and find room for them and their contents in our Deluxe Veranda. Fortunately, the suitcases all fit nicely under the bed and there is plenty of closet and drawer space. Our patio faces to the East so we can enjoy the sail up the Canadian coast. The nicest thing about a cruise is that you don’t have to move hotel rooms or constantly pack and unpack.
I had a disturbing e-mail from the Canadian government once we went through customs. My mobile phone was not set up for international travel, knowing that we would only be on foreign ground for one day. It was not until we got settled in our hotel room and had access to the internet that the e-mail came through requiring me to take a mandatory Covid test at the airport as part of their random screening of visitors. Why me and why use e-mail to select their victims?
All the testing sites were at the airport, so it would not have been a problem if I had seen it before we made the long, pricy drive to the hotel by taxi. However, after already paying for the eMed tests and testing negative the day before, I did not understand the need to take another test. They naturally have their own preferred providers, so the other tests don’t apparently matter. I didn’t have a phone connection to call them, and they did not provide an e-mail link, so my responses simply bounced back from these threatening messages of fines if not administered within 24-hours of arrival. I was not about to pay to go back to the airport to get their official test when I was leaving the next morning anyway. I’m sure there’s a warrant for my arrest, or I may never be allowed back in the country. My picture is probably posted on a wanted poster as a Canadian criminal!
We arrived in Portland just before midnight and have been on the go ever since. I met up with a friend first thing on Thursday to make the drive to Netarts Bay. We spent the night there with two small mishaps. First, the bed in the camper collapsed on me in the midst of a drunken stupor, causing me to humorously wake-up disoriented on the floor. Secondly, the cat bit and clawed me to raise concerns about “Cat Scratch Fever.” I was already feeling a bit of hypochondria, with the potential of a positive Covid test that could have ruined our cruise plans. The unprovoked cat attack just gave me something else to worry about. However, there was undoubtedly enough alcohol in my blood stream to prevent any virus or infection.
My time in Oregon was certainly blessed with good sports fortune. Hoosier football won an overtime thriller over the Hilltoppers while we were watching the Ducks beat BYU in a McMinnville bar called Two Dogs. The White Sox beat the Guardians and took two out of three from the Tigers. The Timbers tied with Columbus, while Oregon State Beaver football won in their stadium while theirs is under construction. Fantasy Football is leading going into tonight’s Bears vs. Packers game that could prove that the Monsters of the Midway are indeed for real after an undefeated preseason and opener. The only of my favorites to fall short were the Colts and the already eliminated Cubs.
We both passed our Covid tests today and will make our way to Vancouver tomorrow on another First Class flight. It will be an early morning run tomorrow after an eventful afternoon touring the Nike campus. I’ve managed to get my miles in despite the drastic changes in time zones and routine. Alaska here we come.
It will be difficult to keep up my posts in a timely manner over the next month. We’ll be in Portland, Netarts, Vancouver, or onboard a ship traveling into Alaska then bound for Hawaii. I’ll be eating and drinking my way from port-to-port, far away from neighbors, friends, and the boob tube. We’ll make new acquaintances, take in the scenery, enjoy some live entertainment, hopefully see some whales and experience the Northern Lights. Even Hawaii that I’ve visited many times will seem different when approached from the water.
We start our adventure tomorrow with a day on the plane from Tampa to Portland via Seattle. We’ll arrive late into PDX with some naps to fight the 3-hour time change. We’ll be staying with my wife’s daughter and her husband, with an early morning run followed by a drive to Netarts Bay for the night. It will be time together with two good friends, dating back to high school before I return to Portland for family get-togethers.
It will be impossible to fit in everyone I’d like to see. Saturday is another lunch with friends while my wife tours wine country with her daughter. She has friends and former co-workers to see, as well, before we fly to Vancouver on Monday, once again via Seattle. In the meantime, we have to pass a Covid test, the final obstacle in getting aboard the ship. Oh, the hoops this virus has us jump through.
Work continues on the outdoor kitchen. The grill is now in place and the plumbing set. We had to get new stainless steel doors for under the sink, so that took away plans for “Matinee Monday.” Once we got back from the Sarasota supplier, my wife and I each retreated to our separate TVs. I’ve got her hooked on Outlander, while I continue watching Sons of Anarchy and House of the Dragon. We probably won’t have much access to TV for the next five weeks – a good thing.
I’m at a retina specialist, hoping my wife gets a clean slate concerning some flashes she’s seeing. She had laser surgery when we were back in Portland and wants to make sure there are no concerns before we leave on this trip. I’m writing this in the waiting room before I next head to the chiropractor for my appointment. They will probably dilate her eyes, so I will be driving us home.
We’ve both been doing some packing these past few days, making clothing choices to accommodate both warm Hawaii and cool Alaska. We’ll have plenty of down time on the ship to do laundry so we don’t need to bring more than four suitcases. I also need to print our First Class boarding passes, a convenience made possible through Alaska points. It’s not often that we get the chance to fly with such luxury. We’ll of course be staying at the Vancouver Sheraton before the ship sets sail, also thanks to Marriott Rewards points.
I’m not sure how to handle all the hype related to IU basketball’s upcoming season. Top ten ratings, high projected seeds, and all-American honors make it all seem too good to be true. I drank the Kool-Aid a few years ago with Hoosier football and the water turned poison. I keep expecting a disciplinary problem, recruiting snafu, transfer threat, or “God forbid” serious injury.
I know the talent is there, but through the last two decades, IU has gotten little respect. Now, all of a sudden, it’s through the roof for coaches and players. It feels good to be back in the spotlight again, but I can’t handle more disappointment. It would be better to experience a surprise and witness some proof of success rather than just trust expert opinion. Vaulted pre-season expectations have come back to haunt many a good sports program.
I’m also struggling with the come back capabilities of the White Sox. They have short spurts of success, just enough to boost expectations, followed by a equally bad set-back. Their 10-3 series ending loss to the lowly A’s last night when they could have pulled off the sweep proves my point. It all averages out to the .500 ball they’ve been playing this year despite grandiose pre-season hype. It seems to be the story for all my sports favorites. It’s no wonder I’m such a pessimist!
The Sox can’t seem to get by the division-leading Guardians and are running out of time. IU basketball has yet to play a game, but they’re already expected to win the BIG. To make matters worse, they’ve never won the BIG Tournament and haven’t had a solid run in the Big Dance for 22-years. They have a lot to prove on the court, just like the Sox have to find a way to win consistently on the field.
IU football has managed to salvage victories in their first 2 games despite the lowest of expectations. The same for my Bears that pulled off a 49er upset and an undefeated exhibition season. I prefer these kinds of surprises instead of the mere hype of what might happen. It’s all too often too good to be true.
