Ketchikan, Alaska

Hello from Ketchikan!

Wouldn’t you know it, the weather on the last port visit of this Alaskan cruise was rainy enough where Scooter and I couldn’t go out. Even after the rain stopped in the late afternoon the sidewalks and roads were still too wet for us. Remember when we practiced driving in the rain before going out in Isafjordur, Iceland? Well, we learned a lesson about a scooter on wet surfaces back then so we were stuck onboard the whole day today. Actually, stuck is the wrong word. I’ve adjusted my attitude after hitting the wall yesterday and I was back to the whatever happens, happens way of thinking. It was a bummer though because we were docked in prime territory for getting into town. Right there at the Ketchikan sign!

But it’s ok. I preordered Domino’s for Ed when he’s watching Boise State’s football game on tv. I took a nap. I put a peanut butter cookie and a chocolate chip cookie on top of each other and ate them. I watched The Little Mermaid. I listened to the rain. I made a quick video of Ketchikan.

I went to Crown Grill, the steakhouse, and ordered…fish. Specifically, sea bass.

And I put together a big grocery order to be delivered before I get home. 

Am I really talking about home now? Yep, I sure am. Tomorrow is a sea day and then Saturday we’ll be back in Vancouver and my four month journey will be ending. It’ll be disembarkation day for me and if all goes well I’ll be home in time to see the last few moments of the game. Go Broncos!

I’ll be back to post one last time once I get home. See you then, whenever then might be. Saturday? Sunday? Monday? Who knows, but I do know whatever happens, happens!

Juneau, Alaska

Hello from Juneau!

One day back in June when I was really sick with Covid on the Island Princess I broke down and cried. Today I was almost in tears as well. Over stupid stuff. Like I mentioned yesterday, this cruise has been stressful. It seems like everything that could go wrong for me has. I've had cabin steward issues, cabin maintenance issues, accessibility issues, passenger and crew issues, food issues, and lack of communication issues. I could go on and on about specifics (boy, it's a long list) but it felt like it all came to a head today with the testing of the emergency power system. 

Today I was going back to Juneau Drug to buy more of their warm popcorn. I learned last week I could taste the delicious buttery salt (yay!) and I wanted some for a movie day in the cabin. (Another yay.) I even skipped breakfast this morning so I could save the calories for the popcorn. As I was finishing getting on my cold weather garb for the day - short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, hooded sweatshirt, hooded waterproof windbreaker - an announcement was made that the ship would be testing the power system, not to use the elevators, and once it was finished another announcement would be made. I finished getting dressed and sat back down for the next announcement.

And I waited. And waited. And waited. At the hour and a half mark I called guest services and asked if the elevators were available yet and was told no. Was told to wait for the announcement. So I waited some more. And more. And more. At the three hour mark I called. Nope, not yet, and wait for the announcement. Now I'm pretty certain guest services was mistaken but I couldn't check myself. You know those dang cleaning carts in the hallways my scooter can't get past? With no cabin steward around anywhere? Uh, yeah. Then the rain started up and I just wanted to cry. With an early all aboard time my window of popcorn opportunity quickly closed. Everything I've had to deal with on this ship these last couple weeks has been so very frustrating, disappointing (and exhausting) and I wanted a movie day with popcorn to escape from it all, by golly! 

I was mad enough I was considering cancelling all our winter cruises. But The Universe had a different plan. At the exact moment I was stewing about everything and those cancelling thoughts were going through my mind our winter ship, Discovery Princess, sailed by. Really, what are the chances?

I even got a better look at one of the umpteen cabins we'll be switching between.

While I'm still upset about not getting my popcorn (and a whole bunch of other things) I had to let it go, at least for today. So for the first time I ordered cheesy fries from the room service menu (dang, couldn't taste them) and had to call it good. Breakfast and lunch all in one.

Tomorrow we're in Ketchikan. To lessen any disappointment I've decided not to make any plans until the time comes. See you there!