Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Alaska 2008, 1 by Bec_No_Va

Bec_No_Va wrote:
Arrived home last nite at 12.30 AM after what felt like a 100 hr trip - since Seattle is 3 hrs behind we did go through a few time zones - I am still struggling to get my "landlegs" back - my body still feels like it should be rocking back and forth - had some major catching up to do with work related issues and finally managed to sort 183 e-mails and answer about half of that - I "go back to work" tomorrow - had a couple of projects waiting for me - which is good

Just uploaded all 429 pictures - they are a tad jumbled since I used 2 cameras and 2 cards - I will eventually sort them - http://barathfamily1.spaces.live.com/ - if you have the time, enjoy

I can definitely suggest Alaska as one place you MUST visit - we got very, very lucky and actually had 3 days of sunshine -
Glacier Bay - fantastic glaciers, fantastic weather and true beauty
Juneau - took a "the best of Juneau" tour - Glacier, a 3 hr boat whale watching trip which was unbelievably beautiful and a salmon bake - oodles of shopping - had no idea that one of the highlights of these cruises is diamond shopping
Sitka - 4 hr Otter & wildlife tour by boat - it is salmon spawning time and we saw tons of Bald Eagles - majestic and the nature was stunning - sea otters, seals and whales
Ketchican - we were 'sposed to take a float plane, but the weather was not cooperating so we took a quick trip on shore and meandered around town - the weather turned rough after that and half the passengers got seasick (I was not one of them )
Victoria BC - went to Butchard gardens - fantastic flowers and fireworks - they have the mildest and best climate on the west coast for plants

In between all of this we ATE way too much food (and indulged in some frozen concoctions) - the ship, the service and the food was top notch - my MIL also surprised us and had a renewal of vows ceremony set up for us (15 year anniversary) - that took place on Friday nite - it was such a nice surprise and truly special for us

Anyway - good to be home again - though I could have easily stayed for another week - "the kids" were happy to see us - except Thor - who is snubbing me and making me pay for leaving him