Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Oh, Canada!
We’ve been sailing through Canadian waters for some time now (since 4pm Alaska time yesterday, I believe), but won’t actually set foot in Canada till about 6:00 tonight, when we dock at Victoria, Canada.
Dad and the kids and I are going on a horse-drawn trolley tour of Victoria; we only decided today to do it. We all (well, Dad and I!) wanted to see Victoria, but we’re also all feeling sort of lazy. An hour of being driven around by someone else seemed perfect!
This will probably be my last post from sea; when we get back on the boat from Victoria we’ll have to do the last-minute packing up (most of my packing is already done), then bed and tomorrow we’ll be back in Seattle!
Since my hotel in Seattle has wi-fi, though, I’m sure I’ll make one last post tomorrow describing Victoria.
Dad and the kids and I are going on a horse-drawn trolley tour of Victoria; we only decided today to do it. We all (well, Dad and I!) wanted to see Victoria, but we’re also all feeling sort of lazy. An hour of being driven around by someone else seemed perfect!
This will probably be my last post from sea; when we get back on the boat from Victoria we’ll have to do the last-minute packing up (most of my packing is already done), then bed and tomorrow we’ll be back in Seattle!
Since my hotel in Seattle has wi-fi, though, I’m sure I’ll make one last post tomorrow describing Victoria.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Yeah, yeah, Mom, it’s an eagle
So, I’m glad I brought my kids on this cruise.
I’m glad they’re getting a chance to see things they’ve never seen before. I’m glad they’re getting to see things that may disappear in their lifetime (yep, that was a not-so-subtle global warming crack).
But, Lord, they get blasé quickly!
Today at lunch, a bald eagle flew by the boat, and it barely got nods of recognition from Peter and Grace, even after I pointed it out! You’d’ve thought I was showing them a sparrow in our yard at home! Now granted, we were on a wildlife viewing trip yesterday where we saw TONS of eagles, and a rafting trip the day before where we saw three or four.
But still! This is a bald eagle! Before I came to Alaska I’d seen exactly two in my life; one in college and one after I moved back to North Carolina after living in New York. At that rate, I could’ve expected to see about 4 TOTAL in my life, not four in one day.
I can’t decide if this is good or bad; on the one hand I’m certainly glad I brought them, and I recognize that they’re young enough they’re not going to necessarily react as an adult would.
But sheesh!
I’m glad they’re getting a chance to see things they’ve never seen before. I’m glad they’re getting to see things that may disappear in their lifetime (yep, that was a not-so-subtle global warming crack).
But, Lord, they get blasé quickly!
Today at lunch, a bald eagle flew by the boat, and it barely got nods of recognition from Peter and Grace, even after I pointed it out! You’d’ve thought I was showing them a sparrow in our yard at home! Now granted, we were on a wildlife viewing trip yesterday where we saw TONS of eagles, and a rafting trip the day before where we saw three or four.
But still! This is a bald eagle! Before I came to Alaska I’d seen exactly two in my life; one in college and one after I moved back to North Carolina after living in New York. At that rate, I could’ve expected to see about 4 TOTAL in my life, not four in one day.
I can’t decide if this is good or bad; on the one hand I’m certainly glad I brought them, and I recognize that they’re young enough they’re not going to necessarily react as an adult would.
But sheesh!
If it’s raining…
Then we must be in port!
Alaska’s climate (or at any rate the parts we’ve been visiting) is temperate rain forest. That means it’s not hot, and it rains. A lot.
So far it’s rained every time we’ve set foot on dry (er, damp) land! We had beautiful weather in Seattle, and on our first day at sea. And it was even just cloudy in Juneau. Until, that is, we got out of the bus that had taken us up to our float trip!
It also rained in Sitka, and, yes, rained again today In Ketchikan!
We didn’t let the damp weather stop us, though (well, the kids would’ve, but their wretched mother keeps insisting that they see more of Alaska than the inside of a cruise ship!). Dad, Peter Grace and I had no shore excursions scheduled, but got off the boat anyway, and strolled through Ketchikan. We made our way up to the Totem Heritage Center, where there is a large collection of Totem Poles. Being made of wood, Totem Poles are affected by weather and age; the Center collects them when they can and either restore them or at least preserve them. They also teach Native arts in classes there. It was a neat place.
All told, the ship was in port about 6 hours; we probably spent a couple of that on shore. We did NOT wake up at 7am to be the first ashore; rather we had our oh-so-civilized room service breakfast, and then toodled ashore around 9:00 or 9:30.
One thing that is very interesting (to me, anyway) about Alaska is that it reminds me of the North Carolina mountains in the relative haphazardness of the life. Many of the houses are not so much designed as they are added-on-to; the towns we’ve visited are clustered around ports, and have spread only where there’s a need to. And, many of the residents seem to have multiple jobs; one in the summer, one in the winter, and a third (or fourth) either to make ends meet or simply because they like it. Very different than the world of suburbia that my kids at least, and I to some extent, are used to.
Alaska’s climate (or at any rate the parts we’ve been visiting) is temperate rain forest. That means it’s not hot, and it rains. A lot.
So far it’s rained every time we’ve set foot on dry (er, damp) land! We had beautiful weather in Seattle, and on our first day at sea. And it was even just cloudy in Juneau. Until, that is, we got out of the bus that had taken us up to our float trip!
It also rained in Sitka, and, yes, rained again today In Ketchikan!
We didn’t let the damp weather stop us, though (well, the kids would’ve, but their wretched mother keeps insisting that they see more of Alaska than the inside of a cruise ship!). Dad, Peter Grace and I had no shore excursions scheduled, but got off the boat anyway, and strolled through Ketchikan. We made our way up to the Totem Heritage Center, where there is a large collection of Totem Poles. Being made of wood, Totem Poles are affected by weather and age; the Center collects them when they can and either restore them or at least preserve them. They also teach Native arts in classes there. It was a neat place.
All told, the ship was in port about 6 hours; we probably spent a couple of that on shore. We did NOT wake up at 7am to be the first ashore; rather we had our oh-so-civilized room service breakfast, and then toodled ashore around 9:00 or 9:30.
One thing that is very interesting (to me, anyway) about Alaska is that it reminds me of the North Carolina mountains in the relative haphazardness of the life. Many of the houses are not so much designed as they are added-on-to; the towns we’ve visited are clustered around ports, and have spread only where there’s a need to. And, many of the residents seem to have multiple jobs; one in the summer, one in the winter, and a third (or fourth) either to make ends meet or simply because they like it. Very different than the world of suburbia that my kids at least, and I to some extent, are used to.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Just say no…
I’ve never been one to over-medicate my kids. No Benedryl for long trips, no combo cold meds, etc. But, I have to admit, I never REALLY knew if medicating them would really be a bad thing or not.
Well, now I know.
Grace had a bit of motion sickness yesterday, and Peter, while not queasy, didn’t particularly enjoy the rough ocean last night (his mother, of course, couldn’t help think of Gilligan’s Island, The Poseidan Adventure and The Perfect Storm!). Today we were scheduled for a 3 hour Sea Otter Quest, and I did NOT want to have queasy children, so I gave them each a Dramamine before we left.
Grace slept nearly the entire trip, and Peter was not far behind! They certainly dozed the first hour or so. Peter eventually woke up, and FINALLY Grace did….just in time to see the Humpback whale! I have to admit, her timing is impeccable!
The tour was great; the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw harbor seals, sea otters (CUTE), bald eagles galore, an Alaskan black-tailed deer, and the aforementioned humpback whale. The whale even did a couple of deep dives, which meant on the way down his tail was out of the water so we could see that.
The kids woke up enough that I convinced (OK, forced) them to walk around Sitka after the sea otter tour. We got some of the BEST kabobs ever (salmon for me and Peter, steak for G), hit a drugstore for more Dramamine (non-drowsy this time), got chocolate, and saw a bit of the town.
Sadly, I didn’t get many pictures, which is a shame. But I’ve discovered that it doesn’t rain ALL the time in Alaska – just anytime my feet are touching Alaskan soil! I got a few pictures of bald eagles, but my poor camera couldn’t figure out how to focus on the sea otters, I didn’t even TRY to get the whale, and in Sitka itself I kept getting raindrops on my lens. Sigh.
The kids have decided they could live in Alaska; I keep reminding them of the 19 hours of darkness in the winter, and we found out today that if Peter played ball in Sitka, rather than taking an activity bus for away games, he’d take an airplane! It’s been enlightening…..
Well, now I know.
Grace had a bit of motion sickness yesterday, and Peter, while not queasy, didn’t particularly enjoy the rough ocean last night (his mother, of course, couldn’t help think of Gilligan’s Island, The Poseidan Adventure and The Perfect Storm!). Today we were scheduled for a 3 hour Sea Otter Quest, and I did NOT want to have queasy children, so I gave them each a Dramamine before we left.
Grace slept nearly the entire trip, and Peter was not far behind! They certainly dozed the first hour or so. Peter eventually woke up, and FINALLY Grace did….just in time to see the Humpback whale! I have to admit, her timing is impeccable!
The tour was great; the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, and we saw harbor seals, sea otters (CUTE), bald eagles galore, an Alaskan black-tailed deer, and the aforementioned humpback whale. The whale even did a couple of deep dives, which meant on the way down his tail was out of the water so we could see that.
The kids woke up enough that I convinced (OK, forced) them to walk around Sitka after the sea otter tour. We got some of the BEST kabobs ever (salmon for me and Peter, steak for G), hit a drugstore for more Dramamine (non-drowsy this time), got chocolate, and saw a bit of the town.
Sadly, I didn’t get many pictures, which is a shame. But I’ve discovered that it doesn’t rain ALL the time in Alaska – just anytime my feet are touching Alaskan soil! I got a few pictures of bald eagles, but my poor camera couldn’t figure out how to focus on the sea otters, I didn’t even TRY to get the whale, and in Sitka itself I kept getting raindrops on my lens. Sigh.
The kids have decided they could live in Alaska; I keep reminding them of the 19 hours of darkness in the winter, and we found out today that if Peter played ball in Sitka, rather than taking an activity bus for away games, he’d take an airplane! It’s been enlightening…..
Monday, August 11, 2008
Brrrrrr!!!!!
Today Peter, Grace and I went on the Mendenhall River Float trip. Sounded like a good idea when we booked it in warm and sunny North Carolina, and it WAS fun.
But boy, oh, boy, it was COLD. The high in Juneau today didn’t make it out of the high 50’s, and it was rainy. The float trip started in the Mendenhall lake, which has real live actual icebergs floating in it from the Mendenhall glacier. The water temperature there is about 34 degrees, which means the icebergs stay around long enough for the tourists to photograph them, but also makes for a cold trip across the lake. Plus, it’s windy! But we survived, and made it across.
And then the fun began! The Mendenhall river is a fairly calm river, but there are a couple of places where there are class 2 rapids; not enough to flip the raft, but enough to get the people in the front of the raft (or the sides) wet. We were wearing rain gear, and looked a bit like rejects from Deadliest Catch, but it was still cold. Peter and Grace were in the front of the raft, so they got splashed a lot, and I was on the right side behind them, and got my fair share of dampness myself!
The trip was fun, though. Our guide was very good, and really knew the river well. We saw 3 bald eagles, and some salmon(two live and swimming, one dead and headless). No bears, though our guide said he had seen some. Once we were past the rapids, the guide let anyone who wanted to row; Grace did, Peter did not. Grace really enjoyed the paddling, and actually took two turns at it. Once we were through the rapids, it was another 30 or 45 very cold minutes, then we were to the lower end, where we got off the river, and had hot apple cider, venison sausage, and cheese and crackers.
We warmed up a bit as we were eating, and then had a bus ride back into Juneau. It was cold and raining still, so we did get off for a bit of shopping (against Peter and Grace’s will!), but didn’t really get a chance to go into town. Then it was back to the boat for warm showers and hot cocoa; on the walk down the gangway we were strafed by yet ANOTHER bald eagle!
A fun, but cold, day.
But boy, oh, boy, it was COLD. The high in Juneau today didn’t make it out of the high 50’s, and it was rainy. The float trip started in the Mendenhall lake, which has real live actual icebergs floating in it from the Mendenhall glacier. The water temperature there is about 34 degrees, which means the icebergs stay around long enough for the tourists to photograph them, but also makes for a cold trip across the lake. Plus, it’s windy! But we survived, and made it across.
And then the fun began! The Mendenhall river is a fairly calm river, but there are a couple of places where there are class 2 rapids; not enough to flip the raft, but enough to get the people in the front of the raft (or the sides) wet. We were wearing rain gear, and looked a bit like rejects from Deadliest Catch, but it was still cold. Peter and Grace were in the front of the raft, so they got splashed a lot, and I was on the right side behind them, and got my fair share of dampness myself!
The trip was fun, though. Our guide was very good, and really knew the river well. We saw 3 bald eagles, and some salmon(two live and swimming, one dead and headless). No bears, though our guide said he had seen some. Once we were past the rapids, the guide let anyone who wanted to row; Grace did, Peter did not. Grace really enjoyed the paddling, and actually took two turns at it. Once we were through the rapids, it was another 30 or 45 very cold minutes, then we were to the lower end, where we got off the river, and had hot apple cider, venison sausage, and cheese and crackers.
We warmed up a bit as we were eating, and then had a bus ride back into Juneau. It was cold and raining still, so we did get off for a bit of shopping (against Peter and Grace’s will!), but didn’t really get a chance to go into town. Then it was back to the boat for warm showers and hot cocoa; on the walk down the gangway we were strafed by yet ANOTHER bald eagle!
A fun, but cold, day.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Alaska, Day Three
Sunday was our first Day at Sea. I woke up WAY too early (there’s just something unconscionable about a 4:20 sunrise…..), finally got my eye mask about 5:00, then promptly fell asleep without realizing it, so when Peter got up around 7:30 I asked him what in the world he was doing awake at 5 am! Needless to say, he found that hysterical.
We dozed a bit, blogged a bit (OK, so that was me), and finally had breakfast on the Lido Deck (SO Love Boat) around 9. After that, Dad walked on the Promenade deck, while the kids and I explored the ship. We showed Grace the back of the ship off the Promenade deck where you can see the wake of the ship, and checked out the big navigation map with the ship’s position, where we’ve been, where we’re going, sunrise and set info, air temperature, and water temperature of both the ocean (cold) and the pools (warm!)
We eventually and eventually wound our way up to the Sports Deck, where there was a football toss. If you could throw a football and hit certain parts of a basketball backboard, you could earn “Dam” Dollars, which can be redeemed in Ketchikan for ship’s merchandist (I badly want a shirt that says “Dam Ships”). Unfortunately, the kids could participate, but not earn Dam Dollars. Bummer, because Peter did really well! I hit a corner of the backboard a couple of times, though, and earned 6 DDs.
After that we mainly piddled around. The kids, Dad and Trina went to a high tea, which they enjoyed, then last night was one of our formal nights, so we all got dressed up for dinner. Lots of fun, and the kids and I went to a portrait sitting while we were all in our finery, and then, of course, there was the Captain’s Toast!
We dozed a bit, blogged a bit (OK, so that was me), and finally had breakfast on the Lido Deck (SO Love Boat) around 9. After that, Dad walked on the Promenade deck, while the kids and I explored the ship. We showed Grace the back of the ship off the Promenade deck where you can see the wake of the ship, and checked out the big navigation map with the ship’s position, where we’ve been, where we’re going, sunrise and set info, air temperature, and water temperature of both the ocean (cold) and the pools (warm!)
We eventually and eventually wound our way up to the Sports Deck, where there was a football toss. If you could throw a football and hit certain parts of a basketball backboard, you could earn “Dam” Dollars, which can be redeemed in Ketchikan for ship’s merchandist (I badly want a shirt that says “Dam Ships”). Unfortunately, the kids could participate, but not earn Dam Dollars. Bummer, because Peter did really well! I hit a corner of the backboard a couple of times, though, and earned 6 DDs.
After that we mainly piddled around. The kids, Dad and Trina went to a high tea, which they enjoyed, then last night was one of our formal nights, so we all got dressed up for dinner. Lots of fun, and the kids and I went to a portrait sitting while we were all in our finery, and then, of course, there was the Captain’s Toast!
Water, water everywhere, and showering at sea
Today is our day at sea, and they DO mean at sea! We woke up this morning and there is NO land in sight! Anywhere!!!
Peter was very excited this morning to be on the ship. He yelled out at one point,”I’m showering on a shIp!!!”
Peter was very excited this morning to be on the ship. He yelled out at one point,”I’m showering on a shIp!!!”
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Cruisin’…..
On a Friday afternoon!
We had reasonably uneventful flights on Friday; we did have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport for our flight out of Raleigh; we had good flights, though, and no trouble making connections. We finally got to Seattle around 1:30, and were at our hotel and checked in by 2:30 or so.
Once we checked in, we got a quick bite to eat at an Italian place recommended by the concierge; GREAT gnocchi that Peter and I split, Kathy got a really nice Bolognese sauce with fettucine, Grace got minestrone, and Dad and Adrianne got salads. We also got free bruschetta because we were from out of town! It was all really tasty.
After lunch, we walked from the hotel to the Space Needle. I love tower thingies, and try to go in them whenever I can. I even got my agoraphobic siblings to go up in the Stratosphere in Vegas! The Space Needle was fun; there were no rides on the top the way there are at the Strastosphere, but in my mind that simply shows good sense!
After that we went back to the hotel, then met up with Dick and Trina for dinner; tapas in the restaurant at our hotel. We then went upstairs to Kathy and Adrianne’s room, where they surprised us with matching shirts for the first day of the cruise! Yes, we’ve become one of “those” families!!!!
Today we were up reasonably early, had the world’s slowest breakfast at the hotel, but made it to the pier by 11. We got checked in, and were able to board by about 11:30 am; we stowed our luggage and went to the buffet on the Lido Deck (isn’t that just SO LoveBoat?) for lunch. We were able to check into our stateroom by about 1:30, and have spent the rest of the day exploring the ship, scheduling massages, and watching the water go by.
And so begins the grand Craddock-Cohen-Patnaude-Chow vacation of 2008
We had reasonably uneventful flights on Friday; we did have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to the airport for our flight out of Raleigh; we had good flights, though, and no trouble making connections. We finally got to Seattle around 1:30, and were at our hotel and checked in by 2:30 or so.
Once we checked in, we got a quick bite to eat at an Italian place recommended by the concierge; GREAT gnocchi that Peter and I split, Kathy got a really nice Bolognese sauce with fettucine, Grace got minestrone, and Dad and Adrianne got salads. We also got free bruschetta because we were from out of town! It was all really tasty.
After lunch, we walked from the hotel to the Space Needle. I love tower thingies, and try to go in them whenever I can. I even got my agoraphobic siblings to go up in the Stratosphere in Vegas! The Space Needle was fun; there were no rides on the top the way there are at the Strastosphere, but in my mind that simply shows good sense!
After that we went back to the hotel, then met up with Dick and Trina for dinner; tapas in the restaurant at our hotel. We then went upstairs to Kathy and Adrianne’s room, where they surprised us with matching shirts for the first day of the cruise! Yes, we’ve become one of “those” families!!!!
Today we were up reasonably early, had the world’s slowest breakfast at the hotel, but made it to the pier by 11. We got checked in, and were able to board by about 11:30 am; we stowed our luggage and went to the buffet on the Lido Deck (isn’t that just SO LoveBoat?) for lunch. We were able to check into our stateroom by about 1:30, and have spent the rest of the day exploring the ship, scheduling massages, and watching the water go by.
And so begins the grand Craddock-Cohen-Patnaude-Chow vacation of 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
It's got to get better from here, right?
I'm supposed to be going on vacation tomorrow with the whole family, and when I say the whole family I MEAN the WHOLE family: Dad, Me and the kids, Kathy and A, Dick and Trina.
I have never had such trouble going on vacation.
First, it was a crazy day at work. For any number of reasons, I didn't get done with work till 6:15; the only good thing was I was working from home (because Peter was sick, which added a whole-nother level of stress), so I'd been able to get a few things done. Finally threw the last few things in the suitcases, and we were off.
We'd planned on staying at a hotel near the airport that offered parking, shuttle service, etc. We actually wound up getting there before happy hour ended (yay, free wine), and then decided to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner, which was fine. After dinner, there was a minor meltdown on Graces part, because she didn't get to finish a game of Checkers, but it resolved itself.
I had to make a Barnes and Noble run to get a book for the flight, and it was on the way back to the hotel that the real traumas started. You have to understand, I always forget something on vacation. Always. Sometimes big things, sometimes little things, but I ALWAYS forget something.
This time, it was my contacts. Yep, that's big. I had the ones in my eyes, obviously, but no extras.
So, I dropped Dad, Kathy and the kids off at the hotel, and schlepped back to Chapel Hill to pick up my contacts.
I ran by Kathy's to get a book for her, then headed BACK to the airport.
And that was when the real trauma started.
Buddy, who's been around longer than Peter has, was supposed to go along on this trip, but got forgotten. Buddy has gone on nearly every trip since, oh, forever. Poor Peter tried his best to be brave and deal with the no-Buddy-ness, and did....OK. Until it was bed time.
Inconsolable does not even begin to describe this boy.
It got so bad, that Granddaddy finally agreed to drive Peter BACK to Chapel Hill to get Buddy. So, yeah, another hour long trip BACK to Chapel Hill.
But Buddy and Peter were re-united (cue the Peaches and Herb).
I have never had such trouble going on vacation.
First, it was a crazy day at work. For any number of reasons, I didn't get done with work till 6:15; the only good thing was I was working from home (because Peter was sick, which added a whole-nother level of stress), so I'd been able to get a few things done. Finally threw the last few things in the suitcases, and we were off.
We'd planned on staying at a hotel near the airport that offered parking, shuttle service, etc. We actually wound up getting there before happy hour ended (yay, free wine), and then decided to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner, which was fine. After dinner, there was a minor meltdown on Graces part, because she didn't get to finish a game of Checkers, but it resolved itself.
I had to make a Barnes and Noble run to get a book for the flight, and it was on the way back to the hotel that the real traumas started. You have to understand, I always forget something on vacation. Always. Sometimes big things, sometimes little things, but I ALWAYS forget something.
This time, it was my contacts. Yep, that's big. I had the ones in my eyes, obviously, but no extras.
So, I dropped Dad, Kathy and the kids off at the hotel, and schlepped back to Chapel Hill to pick up my contacts.
I ran by Kathy's to get a book for her, then headed BACK to the airport.
And that was when the real trauma started.
Buddy, who's been around longer than Peter has, was supposed to go along on this trip, but got forgotten. Buddy has gone on nearly every trip since, oh, forever. Poor Peter tried his best to be brave and deal with the no-Buddy-ness, and did....OK. Until it was bed time.
Inconsolable does not even begin to describe this boy.
It got so bad, that Granddaddy finally agreed to drive Peter BACK to Chapel Hill to get Buddy. So, yeah, another hour long trip BACK to Chapel Hill.
But Buddy and Peter were re-united (cue the Peaches and Herb).
It's got to get better than this, right?
Thursday, August 07, 2008
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