Chris gives a "Speaker's Corner" talk about Alaska

 Living on a residential cruise ship is being part of a community. There are roughly 300 residents on board at any one time, some of them come and go, and some of them are fulltime residents like us. One woman, Kit Cassingham of residentialcruising.com, is a permanent resident and has been on since the beginning. She had the great idea that getting fellow residents to give talks would enhance the community, and was she ever right! We usually have 2-4 such talks each month. Several folks on board were professors in their previous life, so we get to learn a bit about their areas of expertise. Others have passions that they want to share, or just some good old-fashioned helpful knowledge. Each talk is recorded and you can see them all on Kit's YouTube Channel.

Yes, of course, I'm going to give some talks on the technology topics we teach - like using Google Photos or plotting your travels on a map with Google MyMaps. But, I don't have to limit myself to that! As we were on our way to Alaska I was conversing with a fellow resident about how I happened to be living in Anchorage in 1964 when the Great Alaska Earthquake hit. She said, "You should do a Speaker's Corner on that!" DOH! Yes, indeed I should. And so I did!

What was really different for me is that I opened the talk by reciting a poem - a favorite Alaska poem - The Cremation of Sam McGee. And, I even summoned the nerve to sing at the end. I sang (if you can call it that) the Alaska State Song.

The talk is about 35 minutes. I hope you like it.

Planned excursion or winging it?

I don't like to plan. For some people, the research and planning for travel is half the fun. Not me. That's part of the reason we signed up to live on a cruise ship. I want to see the world but I don't want to decide where to go, what to do, and how to get there. Living on board the Villa Vie Odyssey I don't have to do any of that. I Just look out my cabin window and ask. "Where are we?"

Sometimes though, I know we miss things if we don't do a little research and planning. Since July 4 is such a big day for us, we did our due diligence and booked a kayak trip a week or so in advance. It was an absolutely spectacular experience. It was worth the effort.

That was in Ketchikan. By the time we got to Skagway, we almost didn't even get off the ship. But, at breakfast we heard people talking about the "Days of 98" show in town and I decided to check it out. We were able to book tickets for a 10:30am show, so we got dressed and proceeded to get off the ship. When we arrived at the theatre, there were only 6-8 of us in the audience and we were informed that the show would be cancelled but we were welcome to return to the 12:30 or 2:30 shows.
Well, OK, now what? We looked at Google Maps and saw the Gold Rush Cemetery walking distance thru to the other side of town and we said, "Let's go." It was quite a walk and it was threatening to rain, but it held off. We saw the White Pass train go by and enjoyed the scenery. 

We got to the cemetery and it was in a deep forest. Really quite pretty. The trail kept going and soon we were at a waterfall that, I think was one of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen. We kept walking around and back thru the cemetery. When we were ready to walk the 1.5 mile back to town we were afraid we would be late to the 12:30 show, but there was a shuttle bus just getting ready to go! Such luck all around this day.

The 12:30 show had a good crowd and the show was fun. It told the story of Soapy Smith the legendary con artist of Skagway. We had seen his headstone at the cemetery, as well as the headstone of Frank Reid who shot him. The audience participation for the show included getting willing women to get up on stage to do the can-can. Guess who?!?! Men got up on stage as well, but they did not do the can-can.

After the show we had lunch at the Skagway brewery. The beer was good, but the food was maybe even better - Jim had a flatbread with crab and artichoke and jalapenos. Chris had a salmon 'rillette' spread that was chunky and delicious served with toasted focaccia.

As we finished our lunch and headed out back towards the ship, it began to rain. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes for a shuttle and we were soon back to the ship.

No amount of planning could have made such a perfect day!

Is the bird on fire?

I noticed what looked like the reflection of a flickering campfire on our cabin window. I turned the other way to see what could possibly be making that reflection. Nothing. So I studied it a bit more and decided it was actually a bird flying in the distance. I think it was actually a white bird but it did appear to be in fire. 

An A.I. created approximation of what I saw 

Then I saw it, the blazing sunset on the horizon that was coloring everything in sight, including the bird. 

Then I looked the other direction and saw the brightest rainbow I've ever seen. 

"Jim, get dressed, we gotta go up and look at the sky!" 

In case you're wondering why we were undressed, getting ready for bed at sunset time, realize it's July in Alaska and sunset is about 10:30.

We hurried up the one flight of stairs and out the door to be greeted not only with a spectacular sunset, but probably the most stunning rainbow I've ever seen. And, we weren't the only ones who had been drawn outdoors to witness this celestial masterpiece.

A different vantage point

After viewing the photo of the rainbow, I just couldn't resist trying some enhancements with Google photo's Magic Editor A.I. tool. 

Whaddaya think? If you like it, and you want to learn how to use it, here's my tutorial video: Google Photos Magic Editor

This all happened on July 7 - my Mom's birthday. Gives me chills. Earlier that day I left some of her ashes on a tree in a beautiful cemetery in Icy Strait's Point. She would have had a great view of that sunset!

July 4 is our special day

 Yes, we know it is the birthday of the USA, but more importantly, it is Jim's and my wedding anniversary! We like to think those fireworks are for us! We try to do something memorable every July 4, (see last year's post, including Jim's speech) but this year takes the cake. We were in Ketchikan, Alaska. In the morning we went on a kayaking tour and had the special experience of seeing a bald eagle close up with it's salmon catch.

We got back to the ship early afternoon and went back out a bit later. The ship was docked right at the center of Ketchican, so getting off and walking around was so easy! We were able to experience some of the July 4 parade, find a bar and have a chance meeting with our beer-loving fellow Odyssean, Joe Rhodes. 

And, when we got hungry we ended up at Ketchikan Crab and Go, where we splurged on King Crab Legs. And, I DO mean splurged! Take a look at these prices!

We each had one leg - and, I have to say I think it was actually worth the money!

Fireworks!

On our ship was the place to be for the Ketchican Fireworks! The ship had pre-arranged with the Port of Ketchikan to be able to anchor out a little was and get into the best viewing position. The fireworks show started at 11pm - yes, we stayed up for it! Other cruise ships (there were 4 others in port this day!) were long gone. It felt like the show was just for us - and by 'us' I mean Jim and me! 😊🤓🎇🎆

Odysseans waiting for the fireworks to start!

The novelty is wearing off

Where I once set the alarm to get up and outside to see when we pulled in to a new port. I now roll over and think, I wish those engines were not so noisy while docking, I still want to sleep.

Where I once thrilled at the thought that I had a stretch class to go to at 8 every morning, it's been more than a week since I've attended.

Where I once thought it was so cool that we have this whole beautiful ship as our home, I am now spending more and more time in our room, sitting at my computer and, maybe I'm even missing our couch a little. I used to love movies - multiple times each week I would watch a movie to relax. Since we've been on board (over 2 months,) I've only watched one movie (Amelia Earhardt - it was good) and I wonder how Jeopardy is going these days. That was our norm back home, to watch Jeopardy every night.

Where I once reveled in the buffet full of fruits and veggies, I've recently taken to special-ordering from the pasta bar, and I've also succumbed to the always-available ice cream. 

In my defense - we have been busy in port after port lately: San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver. The travel is fantastic! And, I guess that's the main reason we're doing this right? 

Some people develop routines and then stick to those routines, making sure they get the exercise class in and eat the same breakfast, for example. I've always been anti-routine, but maybe it's time. 

This certainly is a completely new life style - I'm still learning how to adjust. 

I love the challenge! Taking it one day at a time.