slidergirl

Wouldn’t have worked last summer in Europe. With the temperatures 100-103F in the daytime and still in the 90s at night, I wanted NOTHING around my neck!

I don’t have them but mentioning them for those looking for a mesh sneaker for summer: just started seeing ads for Taos Direction.

The sign to not use your bottle is pasted right on the water dispenser- how can people not notice???

Blue painters tape. I worked the 2002 Olympic Winter Games at a sport where flash photography was prohibited because the flash could distract the athlete and cause serious/fatal accidents (bobsled and skeleton). The people walking the track kept rolls of the blue tape on them so they could tape up the flash of a phone/camera of someone who didn’t know or didn’t want to turn off their flash. Did the job and doesn’t leave residue on the camera/phone. Those battery-powered tea lights also work well to create a little ambiance out on the balcony!

Melissa - this sounds like a wonderful vacation for you and your mother. Be sure to ask Cynthia any questions on things ancient in Rome and some places in S. France. She has a wealth of knowledge.

I also have a chronic dry cough. Mine is from my Feb 2020 Covid. We’ve tried everything and nothing has worked totally but it has calmed a little. I still feel like I need to hang a sign around my neck that says “I’m not sick”. I do cough into my arm. But sometimes I feel like I shouldn’t go anywhere…

Really weird. I didn’t ask to have it replaced as I could get a bottle down at the Ocean Bar. But 2 big bottles were on my desk always when I got back to my cabin at the end of the day.

My cabin last week had 2 Aqua Panna on the desk. I like that water so I used it, knowing the cost. My cabin attendant kept me in the water all week. Weird that you didn’t have it (we were on same cruise). I didn’t like the taste of the can and I got disgusted at how people were using the water dispensers in the buffet.

That was for the poster. I mentioned what I would do. Hey, when I used to go to Hawaii for vacation I could do with 2 pair shorts, a couple of T-shirts a bathing suit and sandals. Same for Arizona. But definitely not for Europe. That’s what I meant.

To me they seem true to size

I could. I could even cut the bottoms down to 3. Now, that is also dependent on where the vacation is…

Cynthia-that’s why I have rain shell. Goes over the Patagonia to stay warm and dry. The Patagonia isn’t a puffy like people think of when they think down jacket.

Down isn’t needed. I like it because it is light, packs small. I went back and forth between the Patagonia down and alternative. Since I wear it year round it was an easy buy for me. I have a lot of fleece (it seems to be the prime gift option for hotel management holiday gifts) but I never think of packing it for a vacation. You could do what you do for chilly/cold weather. I would think of a good rain shell that can be a third layer would be good. We all can always use a good rain shell! I like vests as a layer because I don’t like a lot of bulk on my arms but want to keep my core warm. p.s. the Patagonia down sweater is really a nice weight full zip jacket. Have no idea why they call it a sweater. The REI outlet and backcountry.com outlet are good places to look. Patagonia also has a “recycle” area on their site with gently used things. I always look at the outlet pages before buying full price.

This group is probably the one positive that came out of Covid. We kept each other virtual company and we went through all of it together. I’m so thankful for this group and all who contribute. I’m still feeling “off feed”, I do think it is allergies. All my house snow is gone, but it’s damp and all the stuff that was underneath is showing. OOTD: went to get my vacation mail and some breakfast, so it was my Free People cammo pants, sweatshirt, and my Merrell boots.

HAL needs to get with the program and install some water bottle filling stations. There were folks on the Eurodam last week who apparently couldn’t comprehend the instructions to not touch your bottle to the nozzle. I was disgusted.

Woot!!! We hit 300 pages!!!

Cynthia - start trying on some waterproof trail runners. You’d be able to use them all the time at home, too. There are lots of options out there now. What works for me usually doesn’t work for you, I know. My runners are the Merrell Speed Goretex. I know Brooks has some waterproof runners, too. Hoka has some as well. Next step up would be low trail shoes, like the Merrell Moab series. Rain jacket vs soft shell: I went through this and decided to go with the jacket. You can have both waterproof and wind proof with it. I’d do better layer underneath it. More useable at home. Last week, when it was in the 40s, I had one of my performance long sleeve Ts, my vest and my Patagonia Down Sweater and I was a happy camper. I could add my Torrentshell rain jacket over top for an extra layer if needed.

Cynthia - Happy Retirement!! Now you can be the Spontaneous Traveler!! I do like Mee Krob, so those snickers sound promising. I’ll remember them for my next TJ run. Who is up next on the cruise schedule? Who is up next for a land trip? Inquiring minds want to know!! My Squirrel came back around this morning. It was nice to see him after a week. When I got back Saturday night, the feeder I bought to keep him supplied with sunflower seeds was empty. Now I’ll work on getting him to be comfortable with me outside and maybe get closer. I think I have a good case of “snow has melted and mold is everywhere and stuff is starting to bloom” allergy. Sinuses feel yucky, drip down my throat, losing my voice. Either that, or I picked it up on the cruise. Not a biggie, just annoying. OOTD: sweats and a Tshirt. Not going anywhere.

Wait - there was a coronation??? Just kidding. I lost track of what was going on in the World. But, that’s what a vacation is supposed to do, right? Getting off the Eurodam was quick and easy. I used the free Port Valet service to take care of my big bag so I didn’t have to drag it around. I think we cleared later than printed because I wandered down to exit at 8:30, which was my printed 4th departure group. Either everyone was really lazy or really did leave. No crowd or line. Had my pass scanned and walked off. Not many people in the building at all. Got waved to the quick line of the Customs agent (I think that‘s who it was), waved my passport at him, he just waved my on through. Walked outside and there was a line of taxis waiting so I took one instead of setting up an Uber/Lyft. Dropped my carry on at the Marriott Waterfront and went walking on this cool, overcast day, I went up the hill to Biscuit ***** for breakfast. The wait was only 30 minutes this time so I decided to give it a go. My “Bitchwich” (think Egg McMuffin with bacon and a biscuit) was huge and really good. Walked back down the hill and did a little waterfront walk for awhile. Went back to the Marriott, got my bag and took a cab to the airport. Walked around the airport, spent some time in the AMEX Centurion Lounge (got my early dinner there) and watched the Kentucky Derby. Once on the plane, I watched “The Jesus Revolution” movie. That was my time in Newport Beach and I knew some Jesus Freaks and I knew of Chuck Smith, the pastor. Cheesy movie, but fun to see shots of Pirate’s Cove there they did their baptisms and some other local stuff. It was drizzling in SLC so I finally had a use for my rain shell!! I had to park a little ways from the closest tram stop! Home by 10pm. I’m glad I did the cruise. I did get to relax and it was a chill environment in Alaska. Would I choose it and plan for months and do excursions? No. Probably some of it is because of where I live. I’m in the mountains, see moose all the time, I’ve seen bears, I’ve seen whales before. I was kind of disappointed in the blatant tourist commercialism. Sitka was the best as it seemed like it has avoided the commercialism and still was holding on to it’s small town roots, Yes, I understand that is all they have to make money on up there, with a short tourist season. I’d have to do it like Anita did, and make it a long land trip to actually get into what is Alaska. But, I do thank all of you for pushing me to take the trip!!! What do I do next????? Now, we have more ladies leaving soon so we’ll get their trip highlights. The only food porn I have from the entire trip:

I got a taxi back from pier 91 since they were just waiting there. Mine was a little more because I used a card. Didn’t care. I stayed at the Marriott Waterfront on the way out. Used points. If you are on a ship that leaves from pier 61, it it perfect. Right across the street. You can roll out of bed and be there! If out at pier 91 it is a quick taxi/Uber/Lyft ride away. Good location to be for wandering around Seattle.

It was quick and easy off the ship! No line for self-debark at first call, just a wave of the passport as I walked past the government guy, outside and grabbed one of the waiting taxis and a couple of minutes and $25 (used card) later I was at the Marriott Waterfront. I think 30 minutes from start to finish. One Princess ship next to us at pier 91 and the NCL Bliss sitting across from the Marriott.

Nothing wrong with that. It’s what I’m just finishing up doing tomorrow. Alaska wasn’t on my radar (have bear, moose at home and I’ve hiked on glaciers while backpacking), but a friend found a good fare for a solo and told me about it. After a hard Winter Season this year and blowing my shoulder (surgery coming in the Fall), I just wanted to relax. I only planned one excursion. In Sitka, I went to the Bear sanctuary (they rescue orphaned bears) and the Raptor Recovery Center to see the bald eagles and others rehabbing after injuries. I do this kind of trip if I hear of a facility where I’m going, so this interested me. Also stopped off for a little time at Sitka National Historical Park for a walk in the forest there. Exactly a nice, relaxing couple of hours. In the other ports, and the rest of the day in Sitka, I just wandered around and seeing what I found, Picked up some halibut and salmon tacos and drank some excellent Sour in a little outdoor Biergarten set up in Juneau. Dockside Dave’s and Devil’s Club Brewery has a nice little setup. In Ketchikan, I walked up to see the fish ladder, but no fish yet. Other than those things, I relaxed on my balcony or my sofa, put on the headphones and listened to music, and nap. Exactly what I wanted to do and exactly what my body needed, No need to fill up up every day with some excursion or activity.

Yes, there is. A decent selection of slabs of fudge. I think I paid $30 or $35 for 3 slabs.

I just got an Uber. Easy. I have to get one in reverse tomorrow…

I waved to all y’all. I’m on the Eurodam and we’re docked next to you tonight in Victoria, My cabin faces the Volendam. I’m the last balcony before the wraparound aft cabins and I’m at the end of the Volendam. Could tell the Alaska season has definitely started - as we were coming down the Strait toward Victoria there was what looked like an NCL ship and a Princess ship heading up the Strait. I feel lucky that only Ketchikan had another ship in when we were there and it (the Grand Princess) arrived a few hours after us so we didn’t get the crowd for a little while.