Showing posts with label Weather & Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weather & Nature. Show all posts

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Sunsets at Sea

It's Cruise Ship Saturday and I have no words today. Instead we have just sunsets as seen from a cruise ship. Enjoy the views!

Scroll to the bottom for a video of a spectacular Caribbean sunset at sea.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Western Caribbean Cruise on the Caribbean Princess - Embarkation Day

Okay, Universe, I get it. Stop making plans.

A week ago, hubby had a fall in the airport and we didn't get to 5 O'Clock Charlie's. So today on our turnaround day we were going to leave the ship, walk over to Panera Bread to grab some breakfast, then take the Sun Trolley down to the beach. Hang at the beach until Charlie's opened at noon. Then grab a drink, some lunch, take the trolley back. Stop at Walgreen's to reload our candy stash for the crew.

Great plans, right?

Super plans! Until this hit when we were in Panera. See that blue dot? That's us in Ft. Lauderdale.

And the storm didn't just hit and go away. A good solid two hours of torrential downpours and thunder and lightning. Strong enough and close enough to shake the windows of Panera. And cut the power for a bit. The storm kept coming and coming and coming.
5 O'Clock Charlie's plans were scrapped. As we sat in Panera the time just kept ticking away. 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30. We had another Medallion meeting we wanted to attend back on the ship at 1:30 and time was not on our side.

We made a brief attempt to get a movin' and got as far as Starbucks. We tried to wait the next wave of storminess out as long as we could but...tick...tick...tick.

In the pouring rain we then walked from Starbucks to Walgreens - with a detour thrown in because the sidewalk was flooded. Thank goodness we had hats with us but everything was drenched anyway. I'm sure the Walgreens cashier has seen some folks looking pretty raggedy so I'm sure we fit in just fine. We got back to the ship wet as wet can be (oh well, it's just water, right?) but unfortunately were late for our meeting. Yes, we went straight to the meeting without stopping at our cabin. And yes, we attended it with our clothes completely soaked.

But actually, it worked out splendidly. It was the Q & A session at the end I was wanting to attend anyway. If you remember, last week I attended the Medallion meeting presented by John Padgett, the Chief Experience and Innovation Officer for the Carnival Corporation. That day I also started using the Medallion around the ship and made a video of it. You can find that post and video here. Well, today I had a question the gal presenting had to direct to John Padgett to answer. (Did you know if you stand near the mirror inside your cabin with the Medallion in your pocket your door could unlock? At least for us it does. Don't worry, they're working on it.)

Back to John...John was kind enough to sit down with me for a one-on-one about the Medallion roll-out on the Caribbean Princess. Not just my mirror question, but some of those questions you've been so anxious to know the answers to. I learned so much! I'll be sharing portions of our conversation throughout the week. Thanks for your time, John!

Which leads me to today's Medallion Class update:
I've combined my updates to make the progression of the roll-out more clear. 
August 18-25 updates can be found here.
August 25-Sept 1 updates can found here. 
Sept 1-8 updates can be found here.

Encouraging Words Money Pocket drop off:
Something exciting happened with one of the money pockets I left in the buffet. Hubby was grabbing some food before muster drill today and one of the buffet stewards was cleaning off the tables. And she had yesterday's encouraging word money pocket in her hand. She had found it today! I'm always excited when a crew member is the one that finds it. (Unfortunately hubby clued her into the fact that I was the one leaving them around the ship. Guess my secret is out.) 

Where did I leave today's? In the restroom at Panera Bread. 

Tomorrow is a sea day and I'm going to listen to the Universe this time. No plans.

Except to check out tonight's sunset. Spectacular!
As usual, if you have any questions or comments, please click on the envelope icon at the top right of this screen.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Suck the Marrow Tour, Spring 2018


It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're wrapping up our Spring tour.

With our health and mobility issues it is imperative that we make the most of each day we have. So each time we go away we adhere to my tattoo, a quote from Henry David Thoreau.

"Live deep and suck out all the marrow of life."

Between May 5 and June 4 of this year we:
  • Took three cruises
  • Rented two cars
  • Stayed in 12 different hotels
  • Visited four National Parks
  • Spent time in two countries
  • Traveled to four states
  • Traveled by plane, ship, converted school bus and converted prison bus, double decker bus, coach, train, taxi, car, and shuttle
  • Went to two Major League Baseball games
  • Won $1279.07 on a penny slot machine
Yeah, we sucked the marrow. But when we take these kinds of trips the same question comes up, a question that is hard to answer.

What was your favorite part?

Let's go with some of the prettiest views instead.

Harbor at Icy Strait Point, Alaska. There was a whale out there on the day we visited.

Flowers at Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada. 

Glacier Bay National Park

Moose in the road, Cantwell, Alaska

Penny Slot Win

Nugget Falls at Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, Alaska

Denali

Dogsledding Tour, Skagway, Alaska

Drive from Denali to Wasilla, Alaska

Island Princess

Just my prettiest views for the month.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Suck the Marrow Spring 2018 Trip, Foodie Edition


It's Yummy Monday! Today we're talking about the best things we ate on our Alaska/Washington/Oregon/Canada road trip and cruise.

With our health and mobility issues it is imperative that we make the most of each day we have. So each time we go away we adhere to my tattoo, a quote from Henry David Thoreau.

"Live deep and suck out all the marrow of life."

Between May 5 and June 4 of this year we:
  • Took three cruises
  • Rented two cars
  • Stayed in 12 different hotels
  • Visited four National Parks
  • Spent time in two countries
  • Traveled to four states
  • Traveled by plane, ship, converted school bus and converted prison bus, double decker bus, coach, train, taxi, car, and shuttle.
  • Went to two Major League Baseball games
  • Won $1279.07 on a penny slot machine
Yeah, we sucked the marrow. But when we take these kinds of trips the same question comes up, a question that is hard to answer. 

What was your favorite part?

Instead of favorites, today I'm going with the best foods we had.

Best Breakfast - Razzy Cinnamon Rolls at the Talkeetna Roadhouse in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Best Dinner - Tacos from Carniceria Los Compadres (a butcher shop/market) in Mt. Vernon, Washington

Best Dessert - Marionberry Cobbler from the Halfway House restaurant in Brinnon, Washington.

Best Car Picnic - On the trunk of the car in a parking lot in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Best Cruise Ship Food - a mini lamb chop from the Most Traveled Passenger Party on the Island Princess.

Best Ballpark Food - Philly Cheesesteak at Safeco Field, Seattle, Washington.

Best Snack Box Provided on a Tour - The snack box we received as part of our Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali National Park.

Best Drink - Hey Ya'll, a hard iced tea we had in Vancouver, Canada.

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Seattle Mariners Baseball


Hubby loves his baseball. Like, really loves it. He is so full of joy each summer when we get him to a Seattle Mariners game. We've been several years in a row and he is always talking about things as firsts. First game, first time watching a certain other team, first daytime game, and today was another first.

It was the first time he's been in the stadium when they've closed the roof. Usually the weather has been pretty good for baseball. Just look how beautiful it was yesterday.
But today it started raining during the game, so they started closing the retractable roof. First time hubby watched it happen! I tried to take a video of it, but it moved sooo slow I just waited until it was completely closed and then snapped a picture.

And food was another thing. He likes trying everything they have to offer. I just have to not think about what we're paying and let him have it.
Jalapeno cheese dog
Philly Cheesesteak
$2 special on Cracker Jacks
Just look at all the food venues. Here's a link to the list in Google docs. It'll take him a lifetime to get to all of them. 

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Cruising Alaska on the Golden Princess - Yakutat Bay and Hubbard Glacier


Today was the day of the:
  • Drunk Walk. Hardly anyone could walk straight.
  • Privacy Sign City. Cabin after cabin on our deck had their privacy signs out a good chunk of the day. 
  • Ginger Ale Cafe. The most requested drink at the Piazza bar was ginger ale. 
  • Clothes Hanger Symphony. The clothes hangers, empty and full, danced and made music as they bounced along the clothes rod.
All the open decks were closed and seasickness bags placed in the restrooms. The waves were high and the winds strong. Last night the Captain had told us we would see a bit more chop in the seas, but at the noontime update he told us the storm was worse than expected. How much worse? We’ve been experiencing 70 mph winds.

My plan was to hang out in Skywalkers today to do some writing, but even I, the iron stomach girl, felt a little queasy. Our cabin at the back of the ship is not fun, so I imagine up on deck 17 to be even worse. So the Piazza it is. We snagged the coveted corner spot tucked behind the bar but next to the window. Out of everyone’s way and a great place to look at the wild waves.

Being down here gave me the opportunity to take a look at the coffee menu. Here is the link to the menu.

I also noticed the sugar/cream/stirrer station is not at the bar like usual, but in a separate spot away from the beverage line. Pretty smart.

I was able to be around for the fruit and vegetable carving. Look at that bald eagle.

Crab Shack was today – during the day. Other ships have it happening in one half of the Horizon Court in the evening, but here on this ship it is held in the Crown Grill from 12:00-1:30. Even though it is happening at lunch time it is still $29 each. We didn’t go.

Today was also Yakutat Bay and Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising day. We were delayed getting into the bay because of the weather, but once we got there the seas calmed down. We've had some amazing weather when cruising Yakutat Bay in the past and this afternoon wound up being okay after all. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure, all taken through the windows of the Piazza.

The most exciting part of our viewing came as the ship was turning to leave. A huge, top to bottom face of the glacier dropped into the water. Unfortunately my camera was turned off when it happened. But it was huge.

Want more photos of Yakuata Bay? Check out the great views from a few years ago here.

Tonight is formal night and the Captain’s Welcome Aboard party. The champagne waterfall is set up and they are serving champagne, mimosas, and orange juice. We didn’t make it to the show last night and won’t make it tonight. We’re turning into boring cruisers.

Tomorrow is Glacier Bay. Crossing fingers for great weather.

Here is the link to today's Patter.


Friday, May 25, 2018

Talkeetna, Alaska


When we were looking for a place to spend a few nights in Alaska, I didn't do a search for a hotel. I searched for cabins. We were happy with our stay at McKinley Creekside Cabins. And we were even happier with our stay at the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabins.

How could you not when your cabin looks like this?
How can you not when you can sit on your porch in the morning, with a view like this, soaking up the warm Alaskan sunshine?
It was down a gravel road several miles outside of Talkeetna. We couldn't have asked for a better location. Peace and quiet.

After some time spent in that morning sun, we headed into Talkeetna for breakfast. On the way we came across quite the view. After two days of clouds, Denali popped out. Just spectacular.

Then we made our way to a place called the Talkeetna Roadhouse. I sat down and hubby got wide eyed. He pointed to a sign right behind me. See that sign? It said Adam from Man v. Food sat in the exact same spot I was sitting.
Here's the view from my seat (instead of the sign on the wall).
 I went with a breakfast wrap, hubby went with biscuits and reindeer sausage gravy. Of course, he added plenty of pepper.
Then I saw these raspberry cinnamon rolls in the case.
While we weren't hungry anymore, we just had to try one. Oh. My. Goodness. Best thing ever!
 If you're interested in their menu, you can find it below.