John Muir, an American naturalist, once said,
“To the lover of wilderness, Alaska is one of the most wonderful countries in the world."
Well, I wouldn’t consider myself a lover of wilderness. I prefer a comfortable hotel equipped with a coffee maker and soft pillows, but we found Alaska truly to be a wonderful country!
Hubby, some very good friends, and I just returned from an Alaskan cruise. After spending a couple of days in Seattle, we stepped aboard the BIG ship and sailed up the southeast coast of Alaska and then back down to Victoria, BC. All I can say is, what an amazing trip! You really can’t explain the majestic sites we saw. Neither will photos give it justice, but if you’ll allow me, I will try by sharing some of our highlights:
We enjoyed sunny days throughout our journey, including Seattle which is very rare. As you can see in the photo above taken from the Seattle Space Needle across the city skyscape, Mount Rainier was very visible and hubby was loving it!
I, on the other hand, was loving Pike Place Market. I have never seen so many different kinds of flowers in one place! And so inexpensive; $5 and $10 for a huge bouquet!
Next, we boarded the BIG SHIP – and big it was – a whole community within itself.
Snow-topped mountains bordered the sea in every direction.
One of the highlights of the trip happened early in the morning while cruising into Juneau. Sitting on our veranda drinking our morning coffee, we began to see mists of water spewing up from the sea right in front of us. Yes, WHALES! Hubby grabbed the camera and was able to get this shot of a humpback whale diving for his breakfast.
That same morning, eagles were practicing their flight patterns all around us.
Later in the trip, a pair of sea lions greeted us as we passed.
If you haven’t experienced this trip, it’s a must for your bucket list!
Be sure to check out all the other excursions at Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays!
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33 comments:
Actually, that is on my bucket list! Lucky you;D
You caught some wonderful shots, and I'm like you - I love the flowers.
It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and I loved seeing all those flowers at the market! We too have done the Alaska cruise and loved it and have both agreed it will be one we would do again someday! Welcome back - I missed your postings ;)
Thank you for sharing your trip! How exciting! I'd love for the hubby and I to do this cruise! I think he'd rather go there on a hunting trip. You have a wonderful day and God Bless! Lauralu :)
What wonderful scenery - including the flowers in the market. It looks like a spectacular adventure and your pictures capture it beautifully.
Marsha! I know you must have had a wonderful trip! I worked in Alaska during the summers on a private yacht as the cook! Our home port was Juneau, so I know that city inside and out. Your pictures make me miss it so much! Beautiful photos!
~Really Rainey~
What gorgeous photos! I would love to go to Alaska. My husbands aunt used to live there before she passed away. I hate that we never got the chance to go and spend time up there.
Sarah
very beautiful...
but your photographs are stunning!
Oh your Seattle shots are making me so homesick! There's nothing quite like a sunny day in Seattle!! We really get more than most people think. :0) How lovely to take a cruise to Alaska and also end up in Victoria. Happy O.W. to you...
Oh my... definitely on my travel wish list! What a beautiful place. Stunning photos
Oh my... definitely on my travel wish list! What a beautiful place. Stunning photos
Beautiful Alaska ! Thanks for sharing your pictures. I really love the pictures of Pikes Market..
The flower are beautiful !
Hugs ~ Kammy
Happy Outdoor Wednesday Marsha! I have ALWAYS wanted to go on an Alaska cruise...so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your photos.~ Susan
Wow I would get lost in that flower market.. Stunning photos! The women from church are always begging me to go on the Ladies Retreat Cruise.. I have a horrible fear of water. I'll just have to live through photos like yours. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful trip.
Debbie
Wow, absolutely beautiful!
Gorgeous! My mother went on that cruise and said it was wonderful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pics.
I know so many people who go on this cruise. I have just invited a friend to talk about hers but she is a little shy.
I live on the West coast of B.C. so I have seen a lot of this beautiful scenery.
wow, we have really wanted to take an alaskan cruise, thanks for the wonderful pictures.
I had once booked a trip to Alaska but then canceled last minute. So I was never there. A cruise sounds great actually.
I have seen that view from the space nettle. In the early '70's I met my returning army husband in Seattle and visited the sites. Later we drove a VW bug rental car to the top of the mountain. You pictures bring back fond memories. And look at those incredible flowers!!!!! Happy Outdoor Wednesday
Awesome photos of a really cool trip. I'd love to take that trip someday. Thanks for sharing yours with us. ~ Robyn
Wow!
Hhhmmmm for a hotel-loving lady, aren't you glad you had this trip? :-) Everything is just a sight to behold. What fun!
Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
Li
Isn't Pikes Market wonderful! I love it, too. I have never been to Alaska, and I have never wanted to, I lived most of my life in Northern BC and that was northerly enough for me. I would however, love to take an Alaska Cruise simply because I LOVE the ocean and being on the water. I have taken the BC ferry to Vancouver Island many times and it is such an amazing experience. I also love the wildlife and the vistas that your photos show. Thanks for that! Hugs, ~cindy s~
That looks like so much fun! I dream of seeing whales in person. My husband would love an Alaskan cruise...one of these days. ;)
Beautiful photos, Marsha! Our oldest daughter and her husband took an Alaska Cruise, last year, as their wedding trip. They loved it and they both loved Seattle's Pike Place Market, also.
Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
These are wonderful photos! That is one big ship. Sounds like you had a wonderful time and bought some flowers for a great price. I love the photos of the wildlife. Would love to see that in person.
Brenda
Thank you for sharing this with us. Seeing the Whales and Eagles so close would have brought tears to my eyes. God's creation is so wonderful. I'm glad you had a such a special time. Maybe someday...
Mama Bear
My friend and her husband tried to get us to do this with them...they leave next month. I so much wanted to but the last time I was on a cruise ship I was dizzy for three months...looks so pretty.
Marsha, A beautiful outdoor post. Alaska is an amazing place. We also took a cruise just like yours and loved every minute of it. Beautiful photos to share.
Hugs...Jeanne
Everything looks absolutely breathtaking. You were able to capture some wonderful moments. The flower market looked amazing too.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful place and good post!
An Alaskan cruise is actually on our bucket list! We aren't the outdoor/canoeing/mountain climbing types but we love cruises and think this would be a great way to see this majestic part of our country. Thanks for sharing!
Robin@Miscellaneous Thoughts
I've always wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska. It is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your photos. Makes me want to go even more.
I enjoyed going on a tour of Alaska with you. What great shots! Alaska is on my bucket list.
Joyce M
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