PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #251 Share Posted August 25, 2016 We had lunch at Annebelle's, King crab legs and coconut shrimp with beer (for me) and salmon bloody Mary (for Marie) to wash it down. After that we headed back to the ship to drop off what we had bought before heading out on our excursion. We had the privilege of taking a float plane ride with Michelle of Island Wings Air Service. The was an amazing way to cap off out last port in this Alaskan cruise. The weather was perfect for picture taking, not so perfect for the flight as the warmth made it a little rocky at times. But with the breath taking scenery you just didn't notice the bumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #252 Share Posted August 25, 2016 You would head this way if you wanted to head to the ocean. There were so many little mountain lakes throughout the island Here is another Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #253 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #254 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #255 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Another float plane in the area. Banking in to land on the fjord. Touch down There was a wood floating platform here which allowed for us to get out and enjoy the scenery. Here is Marie with our pilot Michelle. A little about her from the Island Air website. Michelle Masden, pilot and owner of Island Wings, arrived in Ketchikan in 1985. Sincethen she has had many experiences which uniquely qualify her as an expert in providing you with a memorable trip. A self-described “flight junkie” Michelle has spent over twenty-one thousand hours, or almost two and a half years, above the Earth’s surface. She conducts business from the left seat of her magnificent flying machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #256 Share Posted August 25, 2016 It was so peaceful and quiet there you almost felt like you should be whispering so as not to disturb the calm. This is Michelle's plane. From her website: DeHavailland Beavers are the greatest bush planes ever built. They were named one of the ten outstanding Canadian engineering achievements in the past century! Michelle named her DeHavilland Beaver the “Lady Esther” in honor of her grandmother Esther. She grew up with Esther who always encouraged Michelle to follow her dream and yet Esther was terrified to fly and never once boarded a plane! The story of Lady Esther dates back to 1959 when she was delivered to her first owner the US Army Air Corps. There were a total of 1692 Beavers built by DeHavilland, the US Army purchased over half of them. The first prototype was flown in 1947 and construction continued through 1967. More than half of them are still in service today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #257 Share Posted August 25, 2016 To give a perspective of the size of this part of the fjord, here are a couple pictures of the other plane leaving. Now it was out time to head back to Ketchikan Lift off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #258 Share Posted August 25, 2016 There is a large group of harbor seals out on the end of the island though a bit hard to see here, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #259 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Everything we flew over is part of the Misty Fjords National Monument which was declared a monument in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter. Thank you Mr. President. :) Seeing the ship meant our flight was over. What a great adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #260 Share Posted August 25, 2016 The only concern I had about the excursion was the finished time was after 5 and we had to be back on board by 5:30 but that was not any issue as we had plenty of time to return. Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #261 Share Posted August 25, 2016 A clear and breezy day as we head to Vancouver. Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixielady Posted August 25, 2016 #262 Share Posted August 25, 2016 The pictures from your flight were amazing. So beautiful. It even looks peaceful there. Thanks again for sharing Denise :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspercat Posted August 25, 2016 #263 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Wow! Great pictures from your floatplane and the floating dock. What a view - so calm/serene looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #264 Share Posted August 25, 2016 A cake decorating contest between the matre D and the hotel director. The HD enlisted the help of a young boy thus ensuring winning the competition. Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 25, 2016 Author #265 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Always a sad sight Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted August 25, 2016 #266 Share Posted August 25, 2016 (edited) Bill, great review and photos. It really makes me want to return to Alaska. Enjoy the last few days of the cruise. I actually drove to The Yukon in 1993 from SW Ontario. Your photos of Carcross look exactly how I remember. That was a great summer adventure after my first year of university. Edited August 25, 2016 by A&L_Ont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runningmoms2girls Posted August 25, 2016 #267 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Great review and gorgeous pictures. I grew up as a kid in Alaska. Your review makes me want to take my husband up there! Maybe some day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1packerfan Posted August 25, 2016 #268 Share Posted August 25, 2016 You gave me some great ideas for excursions for our trip to Alaska. Like you, it will be our one and only and we will add on the land tour as well. In fact, I bookmarked some of the same excursions because they sounded great. Thank you again for the review, your pictures were beautiful. Hope you enjoyed your cruise and safe travels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunset seekers Posted August 25, 2016 #269 Share Posted August 25, 2016 Hi Bill & Marie, Great review. Do you recall the Hotel Directors name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John&LaLa Posted August 26, 2016 #270 Share Posted August 26, 2016 The only concern I had about the excursion was the finished time was after 5 and we had to be back on board by 5:30 but that was not any issue as we had plenty of time to return. Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk To close for my taste, but it looked epic. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 26, 2016 Author #271 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Hi Bill & Marie, Great review. Do you recall the Hotel Directors name? I do not but I have the officer list in my bag so I can check later. To close for my taste, but it looked epic. :D Yeah, I was nervous a little till I saw the ship on the horizon and we still had 35 minutes. It was worth it. Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 26, 2016 Author #272 Share Posted August 26, 2016 I guess except for Alaska. Saw a lot of shorts in main dining, even saw a fishing vest. [emoji33] Sent from my Galaxy S7 Edge using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PCWalton1 Posted August 26, 2016 Author #273 Share Posted August 26, 2016 The luggage is in the hallway so I guess this cruise is just about over. We will be grabbing a car at the Alamo desk and driving home. Takes about three hours. Hopefully tomorrow I can close this out. I have the Cruise Compasses and will scan them if there is interest. Thank you to all of you that followed along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted August 26, 2016 #274 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Wishing you and DW a safe trip home, enjoyed both your HI & AK cruise reports and photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lionesss Posted August 26, 2016 #275 Share Posted August 26, 2016 Bill Marie, really enjoyed taking this cruise with you because of the great pictures and comments. Thought we were ready for the Alaskan cruise, but still want the warm side of the spectrum. Really enjoyed it though. Safe travels. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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