Detroit

 Well here we sit Detroit, A very long travel day, last leg on this episode of the amazing race, 

The End of The Trip

 We had a breif stop in Victoria British Columbia. Saw a Butchart Gardens in and Castle Craigderroch. The garden and castel were really nice. Howver I was at the end of the trip and was a  bit too tired to really enjoy. I am glad to be on the way home writing this in the Seattle Air port.

sitka

Bear eagles and totem poles. Had a nice visit to Sitka. We even saw a Russian bishops house from the time when this was Russian territory.

Young  bald. Eagle

bear  at rehabilitation center 

A wood  carvers  

 

Then the bishops  house.inside  there  is a chapel.  It is run as a  museum by the national park service 

Skaway

 The long journey to Skaway has arrived. I have mentioned this town in tours of the Marrett House for years. This is where Walter Marrett went to seek his fortune in the Yukon Gold Rush. What a perfect port for a stop. The town is surround by high mountains all around. It is small and easy to walk from one part to another and explore all the little shops and attractions. 

We started out the day with a hike that took part of the path that the old prospectors would have used going through the mountians on the way to find gold.  After the hike it was a wonder float ride down the river and back to town. The views from the the boat were great and spotted many bald eagles. 

Once we were back in town we stopped for lunch and I had some long awaited for Alaskan hailbut. MMMM was that good. 

On the way to the hike and river raft float. 

A rock stairway in the woods. This was part of the trail that was used by prospectors. 

On the water in the river.

Getting ready to go down the river. 

Sometimes there is a perfect picture that just gets snacthed away. 😁

Like so many before me I did not find gold in Alaska but having lots of fun. 

Junuea Alaska

 First day on land in Alaska went well. Took a bus tour of the now and the out to the glacier. Mendehall Glacier is slowly melting away. But stil is has miles and miles of ice. Amazing to see the blue ice of the glacier. The weather is Juneua was just right sunny and in the 70s. Our tour guide told us it was a rare sunny day as most ot the time it is raining. Stop in for a break at the Red Dog Saloon it has been there since the gold rush days. The floor inside was covered with saw dust. When asked the waitress, who was dress in period coustume, told us that back when men would loose gold nuggets on the floor the saw dust was so they could not find what they dropped. 

The ship coming in to Juneau view the tops of the mountains covered in glaciers. 

The Ovation of the Sea our cruise ship in port at Juneua. 

The view outside the park. 

A amazing waterfall beside the glacier. 

That is all for now next stop Skagway. 

 

Seattle Day 2

 Highlights of the Day 2 in Seattle. We explored Pike Place market lots to see in this giant market. Stopped for lunch with a view of the water from the resturant.

Picture from China town had supper at the oldest Chinese resturant in Seatlle. Great food and atmosphere. 

                                                Water front in Seattle lots of fun shops and the famous Pikes Market where they throw the fish. 

View from the top of the famous Space Needle . The glass floor is a bit scary but fun. 

This view is looking up to the space needle. I learned that the houses on the Jetsons were inspired by the space needle. 

    Seattle has lots of charm and was fun to walk around in the different areas. I did not get any tossed salads and scrambled eggs. Left and had a smooth check on the cruise ship which is huge. Out to sea on Saturday first stop in Alaska will be Juneau. Looking forward to seeing Alaska. 

Seattle Day 1

     Beautiful weather here is Seattle. Sunny and in the low 70s. The flight from Maine was smooth with a quick stop over in Chicago. Our first meal was a resturant that used to be an old time fire station. The hotel is modern and new with great views. Moving on up to the 20th floor. A couple days before the ship leaves for Alaska. Tommorow we will explore the city. 

View of part of the city 

Water views too, My First live view of the Pacific. Wait the Ocean is on the other side.