rafinmd

Well, I'm back from my quest. Micro Center in Rockville seemed quite a daunting and confusing place but the staff was very helpful and I THINK I have a replacement battery. although it will still be a while before I get around to trying it out. I also stopped at the mall for a luggage scale and put in quick stops at the UPS store to pick up mail, the fire house and the grocery store. I got home about 3 and the heat was intense but between the car and the buildings I was almost never away from air conditioning. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Grand Alaska-Panama trip. On July 15 I was on VIA's Canadian East of Saskatoon on the way to Vancouver to start the Alaska portion of the trip. The photo was taken out the back window of the dome car. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Grand Alaska-Panama trip. On July 15 I was on VIA's Canadian East of Saskatoon on the way to Vancouver to start the Alaska portion of the trip. The photo was taken out the back window of the dome car. Roy

Thank you Sandi, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann. Rich, I hope you're enjoying your few days off. I like all the days but my favorite is Respect Canada Day. How do you know if someone has a book anymore with the popularity of E-readers. The Rosetta Stone was a MAJOR breakthrough. I have never been to La Coruna. I'll pass on the meal. My alternative is Rack of Lamb and Carrot Cake as served on VIA'S Canadian July 15, 2018, between Edmonton and Jasper on the way to meet the Volendam in Vancouver. It will be a busy afternoon. I discovered that my favorite (but older) laptop has a DEAD battery and I can't mail order a replacement (it's still a snap in battery). I will try a big electronics store that looks promising but it's in Rockville, at least a 40-minute drive. Roy

I guess that's pretty much it. Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and Carole. Stay cool this weekend. Roy

Coming in pretty straight. Roy

I think I got a glimpse of Volendam on the current pan. Hopefully in the clear when she returns to the center basin. Roy

Better panning than a zoom on Quantum. Looks like a very nice day in Juneau. Roy

And almost to Thane. Roy

No idea, @Heartgrove. Quantum has now passed Volendam and will be first in. Roy

Volendam is at the cutoff to Tracy Arm. It looks like she may not be stopping to rendezvous with a tour boat. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On July 14 I was on VIA's Canadian making our way across the Canadian Shield in Western Ontario: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Grand Alaska Panama trip. On July 14 I was on VIA's Canadian making our way across the Canadian Shield in Western Ontario: Roy

My memories of this are kind of sad. I wasn't on that cruise but at the same time I was on Serenity (Athens to Rome), My main recollection of your cruise is that a very dedicated Crystal cruiser, Judith (I think Morrison) was supposed to be with you but had a severe cancer setback and had to cancel and I think passed within the next year. I think at our Meet and Mingle we all made a "Get Well Judith" banner for a group photo and it was sent over to the Symphony. Rest in Peace Judith. Roy

Happy Friday and Happy Bastille Day, and also Happy Birthday to Allen and to my Nephew Keith. I love the Rose Kennedy quote. I try to stay away from Pandemonium and since I will not be anywhere near water will not be too aware of sharks. I understand it is also National Fry Day, formerly July 13th but moved to the nearest FRIday to the 13th. I see a lot of comfort food today, fries for lunch and Mac & Cheese for dinner. I have not been to Kiriwana Island. I'll pass on the fish. My alternative is Fresh Fruit with Peach Schnapps, and Roasted Duck with Sour Cherry Chutney as served on MS Rotterdam VI July 14, 2011. Off to walk inside the mall then Target and Wegmans. Roy

I have to wonder. It may be that either no notice was given or that the notice was missed but I'm thinking of one other possibility. It may be standard procedure for the crew to check the lifeboats on a daily or regular basis. I'm thinking they could have found an issue in routine checks and decided that the best course of action was to fix it right away. Roy

Today/s sunrise is from one year ago from the parking deck of my local mall before I began my walk: Roy

Today/s sunrise is from one year ago from the parking deck of my local mall before I began my walk: Roy

Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and Carole. Roy

Great closeup even showing the workers on the dock. Roy

I think often the AIS transponders are turned off as the boats are being readied for stowage, so the system has no idea where they are and just report the last position. Roy

I really was not expecting her this early. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann. Not sure about Fool's Paradise but I'll embrace my geekness and enjoy Barbershop music. I've been to Moorea a few times, always on Crystal. Cook really got around, especially for navigating without modern instruments. Interesting quote by Orben. I'll pass again on the salmon. Today's alternative is Cantaloupe boat, Chilled Blueberry Soup, and Quail with Apricot Bread Stuffing as served on MS Rotterdam VI July 13, 2011. The humidity is cranking up earlier today so I'm about to head to the mall to walk. Roy

Well, I was fooled by how far ahead of schedule Noordam was. Queen Elizabeth has gone to her anchorage, Discovery is docked at AS, and Brilliance is finally in the Gastineau. Webcam has been fixed on QE starting tendering operations. I'm curious about what might be happening with QE. Cunard uses a "step test" for tendering, requiring passengers to cross an 18-inch gap unassisted to be allowed on the tenders. I wonder if they used the step test this time while docked. Roy

Hard to imagine better news than that. Roy