LIVE from Maasdam 14 day Alaskan Explorer 8/1 - 8/15

[RuthC]

Gorgeous day in Homer.

Homer is my second favorite stop in Alaska. Skagway is first, primarily because it's easier to get to on a cruise.

[Assateague Island Princes]

So happy to hear of another Home 'convert.' It is a beautiful town, isn't it? As you said, the people are fantastic, the food is wonderful and the scenery just can't be beat. I've done this 14 day itinerary that you are on three times, and it is what introduced me to this lovely hamlet by the sea. Since our first stop there in 2010, my DH and I have spent two separate 14 day land only vacations in Homer, the most recent this past May into early June. We fly into Anchorage, rent a car and make the 5 1/2 hour drive down the beautiful Kenai Peninsula, with views getting better and better as you travel south. We always rent houses to stay in thru Homeaway.com, with the one caveat being great views of either Cook Inlet or Kachemak Bay. We are even thinking of retiring there one day - hopefully in the not too distant future - we love it THAT much. Hope the rest of your sailing as is good as today was and just keeps getting better and better as your journey to the Great Land starts winding down.

 

Thanks so much for this wonderful "live from" - I've enjoyed every minute of it, and its made me relive my three previous sailings thru your eyes.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful reporting.

We also enjoyed Homer very much.

Great pictures.

[scluvsrain]

Wow! Your info on how to do a Homer-only trip puts my mind into how to make that happen for me. Thanks for sharing.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

Here's some pics from Kodiak. The day is overcast but no wind and no rain. Took a tour with Memory Makers where we went out to find some wildlife and also visit Fort. Abercrombie. Afterwards, I got dropped in town and got to walk along the marina and pick up some postcards and some more postcard stamps.

 

 

Above and below is the Russian Orthodox Church.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

Here's some more pics. That one above was the salmonberry. Not terribly sweet tasting but makes good jam.

 

These below are from Fort Abercrombie.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

And here's one last one from the fort

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

From around town in Kodiak and harbor area

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78232]

What beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing

[fatcat04]

Thank you for sharing this. What a wonderful itinerary!! So many great ports. :)

[KruzPrincess]

I don't know you, but I've read other people call you Sherita....

 

So, Sherita, you did it. I was trying to keep myself from booking this cruise this year, but you pushed me over the edge. I just booked it for September. I loved it so much last year and really wanted to go again. I'm happy. :) I usually go in July, so I'm sure it's going to be cooler and wetter...but I don't care.

 

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us.

 

Added: By the way, I LOVE Homer, too.

Edited August 11, 2016 by KruzPrincess

[easyboy]

You really know how to focus a shot!

[EbayCruiser]

Great pictures. How did you like the tour with Memory Makers? We have reservations with them for our cruise.

[scluvsrain]

We arrived in Sitka early this morning. Foggy and more fog. In fact, it is now mid afternoon and the sun has deemed it quite unnecessary to show its face. It's a far different day than when I was here a little over a year ago.

 

That day, it was gorgeously sunny yet very crispy cold. It was like being to stick to an ice cube while waiting for the sun to melt it and set you loose.

 

That day in Sitka also was the same day I got the call from my daughter that my Daddy had died. The sun went away for me, then. He had been going downhill, health wise, and I had feared he might die while I was away, but I went anyway. I knew he wanted me to, so l did. I second guess that decision often. But he lived a good good and long life and we all should be so fortunate.

 

Today I took a ship tour to see the raptor center and the fortress of the Bears. Both were very interesting and quite fun. Our last stop was at the hatchery center for salmon.

 

Snort and I walked around town after the tour was over. I found a nice soap store with locally made soaps. Full of essential oils and they smell so good! Wintersong Soap Company, if anyone's interested.

 

I also ventured into the Episcopal church to take a picture of the Star of David in their stained glass. Apparently they had ordered stained glass from far away to fit their special window at the top of the church and when the pieces arrived their was the Star of David right in the middle! And so it remains.

 

Following are some snaps of my day here.

 

But first - Snort makes a new friend every evening.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

More pics.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kazu]

Sherita - I was so saddened to read about the loss of your father.

 

All of our sympathies to you and your family.

 

You, your family and he are in our thoughts and prayers.

[liketraveling]

Sherita, thanks so much for your review. I booked this trip the last minute with my Dad. I have done this itinerary before and love your respective. I will be on the August 29th trip.

 

Since I booked late couldn't get a tour with Memory Makers but I am curious about how you liked the memory Maker tour?.

 

I am also so sorry for the loss of your Dad. I know it can be hard to be away with a loved one passes. I was at a conference when my grandmother passed away. My dad told me not to come home because there was nothing I could do at that point.

 

Just hope happy memories of your Dad help you through this hard time.

 

Thoughts and prayers going out to you and your family!

[scluvsrain]

Thank you for your kind words and prayers regarding my Dad. He's been gone a year now and we are all moving forward.

 

I loved MemoryMakers. You can't go wrong with them. Husband and wife team - only 2 vans of 6 each so they do sell out fast. They've lived here a long time and know the area well.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

KruzPrincess. I am called Sherita! And I'm so happy to hear you booked this cruise again!!! I've got to figure out how I can fit it in again next year myself. I've got a lot of trips planned next year - the world cruise in January is next on my cruising schedule. I'm thinking about posting a live thread but Pete and Judy and Bill and MaryAnn always do a nice job. Maybe 3's a crowd.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

Oopsie. I forgot to upload pics of our afternoon at Hubbard Glacier yesterday. That's one big-ass glacier! 3 miles wide at our viewing area. We had lots of calving activity too!

 

We are at sea tomorrow. Victoria on Sunday.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scluvsrain]

Me and the bear!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KruzPrincess]

KruzPrincess. I am called Sherita! And I'm so happy to hear you booked this cruise again!!! I've got to figure out how I can fit it in again next year myself. I've got a lot of trips planned next year - the world cruise in January is next on my cruising schedule. I'm thinking about posting a live thread but Pete and Judy and Bill and MaryAnn always do a nice job. Maybe 3's a crowd.....

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Well, you're doing a good job with your live report. I can't believe I only have a month to go before I get to go to Alaska. You're very lucky to get to go on a world cruise. Thanks, again, for taking the time to share.

[erewhon]

Wonderful photos.

 

Can you confirm if Maasdam still has self serve launderettes?

[KruzPrincess]

Wonderful photos.

 

Can you confirm if Maasdam still has self serve launderettes?

 

It's still on the deck plan. I hope so, because I plan on using it.

[scluvsrain]

Yes the Maasdam still has self service laundry!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk