Alaska

 We are back from our first trip of the summer.  We went to Alaska and had an amazing time.  It was the perfect introduction to summer because it was still freezing cold up there and non of us are ready for the scorching summers we get here in VA.

We left early to Vancouver, BC so we could explore before we got onboard the Disney Cruise Line.  The kids loved the outdoor heated pool.  I loved the view.  Vancouver was so pretty and the people were very friendly.

We stayed at the Pan Pacific right at port.  This was the best and most convenient pre-cruise stay we've had.

 

Monday morning we were able to watch our ship pull into port and we were lucky enough to have an early boarding time so we didn't have to wait around all day.

When going to Alaska, getting a verandah is a must.  I basically lived on it because the views were incredible and I didn't want to miss anything!

Never too old for a Mickey picture!

On the glacier day, the evenings party was freezing the night away with Anna and Elsa.  It wasn't our favorite show because we're used to pirate night and that is definitely much better.  However, this show was perfect for the setting of our day.  It was freezing!

We made a stop in Skagway...which was our favorite stop!

This little fry bread was the perfect treat.

We got off the ship twice that day.  We went on a rib boat tour to find wildlife.  That was so much fun and would highly recommend.  Although we didn't see anything other than Eagles and waterfalls, it was still really fun.

The next stop was Juneau.  We rode the sky tram and walked around the city.  There was one store there that I loved and could have spend a lot more time in, but when you have a teen...you know the drill.  So we just explored.

The next day we woke and it was my birthday, in Ketchikan.  I guess it's the rainiest city in Alaska and it lived up to its reputation.  It was also much colder there.  Our first stop was the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.  It was entertaining, but I probably wouldn't do it again.  But, it's a cheap event and I was glad we went.  Because of the rain and freezing temperatures, my hands were frozen (remember, scleroderma) so we nixed our plans to explore a trail and headed back to the ship.  I really hate having scleroderma.  It ruins so much fun and gloves don't help.

Our room host set this up for me...how sweet!

Our dinner server brought me their special birthday dessert...twice.  Our first dinner night they came out singing...I had to tell them it wasn't until Saturday.  So on Saturday, they came around again.  Good thing desserts are small.

I love watching the Jack Jack Diaper Dash.  It's hilarious each time I've watched it...my fourth now!

"Don't quack like a duck, soar like an eagle." -Donald

The mountain views and cold air was a nice change from our typical beach and humid air vacations!  This was our second (of four) favorite cruises.

If you get the chance to take a cruise to Alaska, you should!  It was so much fun and the views were beautiful.