Cruisin' to Alaska

I recently put my name on a list of interpreters who wouldn't mind interpreting on a cruise. I thought, Oh I'll try it and see what comes up. Well a page came through that had a cruise to Alaska during my break between Spring and Summer term. I was going to rule it out, but asked Mike what he thought. He gave me the go ahead since he was on call that week and off I went.

As happens often with me, I had a doosey of a time getting to the boat. I was suppose to fly out on Sunday at 7:30am. I got to the counter 35 min. before take off and the ticket lady said I couldn't go. I was rescheduled on the 9am flight. I arrived in Seattle and found that I was on stand by for the 12pm flight to Canada. I was hopeful, but a bit weary. My name was called and they said that we have one seat we think. After a walk through, there was NO seat for me. Now the panic set in a bit. I was suppose to be on the boat by 5pm and it was now 12pm. I had 5 hours to get myself to Canada. I looked for a shuttle (nope 5.5hours), I thought another flight (no I would arrive at the airport too late), renting a car? Yes. I rented a car, drove to BC, dropped off the car and had a taxi take me to the dock. All along, I've got the interpreter I'm training with on the phone saying the ship is leaving early, you need to get here. That wasn't helping. I arrive in BC and the taxi drops me off at the port to a lady saying, "Are you on this boat?" yes. "You better run." I don't know where to go. Lady pointing, that way. Ok, susie is off. This nice port man came running up beside me and said, "I'll take your bag, you run ahead to customs." What the heck? Customs. I just went through in the car. I ran to customs, very politely and hurriedly, showed my passport, smiled and gave my best I'm an ok person look. He waved me through. As I'm running down the corridor, all I hear are these women on walkie talkies giving a stage update: She just passed me wearing a green shirt. Next woman: Green shirt just passed me. Funny stuff. I thanked the port man and ran across the gang plank, they pulled the plank, and set sail. Crazy stuff. ButI made it.




These next 2 pics are from a short hike I did at the totem park. Cool stuff. It was a great day. I saw my first bald eagle here. In this park there was a total of 11or 15 totems with explanations



This is Russel Fiord the home of Hubbard Glacier. There are four major glaciers that meet up to form a giant massive sheet of ice but I can only remember Hubbard and Valerie glaciers. Anyway, this glacier was massive and fascinating. I could have stayed and looked at it all day. I wanted to go walk on it, but of course that didn't happen. It is a truely amazing sight. If you have the opportunity to see it, go.






This is Juneau Alaska. I went on this great hike to the peak of Mt. Roberts. It was great. It took me about 1hr 15 min. I saved $27 going by foot. Have a cup of chowder at the top and took the tram down for free. It was great. I also went to the Mendenhall Glacier. I walked to a point on the beach and just took in the view. It was fabulous! Again such a spectacular sight to see. The colors of blue in these glaciers are phenomenal. These pictures don't depict it well. The hues are crazy beautiful.