Glaciers

Blogging finally. Several days behind. Foggy weather threatened our trip into Glacier Bay, but we lucked out. Turns out, Jenny is particularly unimpressed by glaciers. I think she appreciated icebergs though-

Laying Anchorage

Am I the only one blogging?  Seems like it - but no matter, I'll soldier on alone. 

An early morning downtown walkabout revealed that the local economy appears to be entirely dependent on corny tourist gift shops and government buildings. 

I also ran into Captain Cook overlooking the silted inlet bearing his name. Lastly, an armless moose being casually pursued by an armless bear.  

Let's Go To The Boat!

I didn't want to wake a sleeping mama bear or her cubs, so the lighting in these pictures is poor - but that's a glass tube TV you see there!  I hadn't appreciated how flat screens had thoroughly replaced tubes at hotels and motels across the country until I saw this hulk.  I also liked the slap dash nature of the installation of our room's A/C and ancillary electrical supply. The Ramada Inn isn't trying to impress anyone. I did sleep great though!

Wildlife

I've seen meese, bald eagles and even bears - but I've never seen one of these in the wild. 

What type of traveler are you?

The following is a repost from our 2011 China blog. And that post was a recounting of a Kauai trip that took place in 2005.  Thought it appropriate for the occasion, since this Alaska trip will include the same cast of characters (plus 3 additions). Word is still out on where JP, Charlotte and Bodhi will fall in the continuum. I've got my theories...

A little over six years ago, our family visited Kauai. My parents - 

Tere and Ron, my sister Jenny, her husband Rich, and Frank and I.

Travelling with a large group of diverse personalities can be 

challenging - especially, it seems, at mealtime. The typical 

restaurant scenario would involve a discussion - usually led by my 

mom, armed with a plethora of sources (reviews, guidebooks, 

recommendations, etc.), all the while consulting with each person 

their preferences, their hopes, and their dreams. Jen knows what she 

wants and it usually involves something hip and fabulous. Frank avoids 

answering the question by providing a host of options further afield 

to choose from (hidden gems, foodie finds, skilled chefs, experimental 

cooking). Rich and I have little to offer in the way of opinions, 

except what we absolutely won't eat. And invariably, at the decision 

point, my father Ron would mention an unrelated activity or simply go 

missing. Meanwhile, blood sugar levels continue to drop, Mom's stress 

level rises (to everyone's notice except herself and, of course, my 

father's), and the stakes just keep getting bigger...

We later had a great conversation about travel style/personalities and 

came up with these categories (I apologize for the non-PC titles):

1. Chief - the most decisive, least concerned about concensus, member 

of the group. Not afraid to unilaterally take charge. Jenny is an 

unabashed member of this category. Hesitate too long making a decision 

and she'll make it for you - picking the hotel, vacation rental, 

restaurant, or bar. She'll plan the festivities, order drinks or 

desserts for everyone, and eliminate debate by paying for it before 

anyone can object. She's an acolyte of the pleasure principle and the 

queen of fun. "Let's do this, because it'll be great. You're not a fun- 

sucker, are you?"

2. Indian - the followers, cheery members, willing to subjugate their 

own personal preferences for the harmony of the tribe. May 

occasionally interject an opinion if asked, but generally are easy 

going and will go along with whatever decision is made. Rich and I 

squarely fall into this category. In general, they are absolutely 

crucial to have along in a group provided they don't make up the 

ENTIRE tribe, in which case you'll be left with endless discussions of 

"I don't know, what do YOU want to do?..."

3. Secret Chief - Chief that at first glance appears, or merely 

pretends, to be an Indian. Early in the decision-making process, this 

wolf in sheep's clothing will wait and see where things are going, 

seemingly compliant, providing only noncommittal info, but actually 

knowing the whole time exactly what they want and what they'd like to 

see happen. Only when decisions turn out contradictory to this do they 

start trying to persuade you of their agenda. "Ahh, that's a great 

idea, but have you heard about..." This is Frank to a tee, and he 

readily admits it.

4. Chief-in-Denial: the Chief everyone knows is a Chief except the 

Chief herself. Considers herself an Indian because her focus is 

trying to make sure everyone else is happy, yet requiring her to 

direct others towards that end and therefore lands her smack dab in 

Chiefdom. Tere, despite her most bitter denials, is fooling no one.

4. And lastly, Indians that are just "off the reservation" entirely - 

neither leader nor follower, these Indians do not seem to be aware 

there is a tribe at all. They exhibit Shamanesque behavior in that 

they frequently seem to be off on some sort of "vision quest", 

indifferent to, or unaffected by, decisions made by the tribe. Actions 

are carried out on a totally different plane of reality, frequently 

delaying tribal plans, exasperating to no end Chiefs-in-Denial. Ron my 

father would be a card-carrying member of this group, if he knew there 

were cards or acknowledged that this group even existed.

Are We There Yet?

Of all the "firsts" one expects on an Alaska trip (i.e., first aurora borrealis, first Eskimo sighting, first midnight softball game without the need for artificial lights) -- I didn't expect a first invite to contribute to a blog.  I'm a blogger now!  For those of you not on facebook, here's a photo of my first and only previous trip to Alaska, c. 1989.