Shadowmeboy's "Spirit"ed Return to Alaska

[shadowmeboy]

12 hours ago, NJLVW said:

What a fantastic review. Your pictures are all amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. Alaska is on my bucket list of places to go. 

 

Thank you! I love Alaska and I encourage everyone to experience it.

[Maleficent's Dad]

Love the pics of the Sun.  A few years ago, we did a 2 week b2b Alaskan cruise.  Your photos bring back some good memories!  Thank you for sharing!

[shadowmeboy]

Just a note: I have one more day of pictures to post. I have to travel to a meeting today and tomorrow, so I will continue this as soon as I can!

[shadowmeboy]

Thursday, July 14th, 2022 - Post Cruise Day 2

 

 

Trace, Maria, Susan, and I headed to IHOP for breakfast.

 

 

 

 

After breakfast, we went to the hotel and loaded the car up. It was time to take Trace and Maria to the Airport for their flight back to the East Coast.

 

 

 

 

We had to loop around the airport to get to the departures level.

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Trace and Maria hugs goodbye.

 

 

 

They were on their way and it was time for us to be on our way too.

 

 

 

First we had to head down to Federal Way to pick up my hat I forgot at the restaurant the night before. It wasn't that far out of the way.

 

 

We picked up my hat and hit WA Highway 18.

[shadowmeboy]

 

Cruising along Highway 18

 

 

 

 

Some parts of 18 are still single lane in each direction. Traffic tends to bottleneck in these areas.

 

 

Snoqualmie Parkway heading from the end of 18 to Snoqualmie Falls.

 

 

 

Old Rotary Snowplow

 

 

Parking lot of Snoqualmie Falls

 

 

 

 

Salish Lodge

 

 

Snoqualmie Falls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

After Snoqualmie Falls, we went to Taco Time for lunch.

 

 

 

After lunch, it was time to hit Interstate 90 across Snoqualmie Pass.

 

 

Avalanche Cannon

 

 

 

 

Over the top!

 

 

 

 

See that flat spot just above lake level? That is the old Milwaukee Road rail line now its a cross state trail called the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.

 

 

Milk truck heading over to Eastern Washington.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BN Caboose

[shadowmeboy]

 

As we get further into the east side of the state, you can see the landscape changing.

 

 

 

We had to stop at Indian John Hill Rest Area

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gas prices were really high (and this was cheaper than most)

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

The bridge ahead is part of the old Milwaukee Road rail line. This is also part of the cross state trail called the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt Rainier in the distance from the mirror shot. Don't be fooled its not that close!

 

 

Kittitas County has a lot of these growing. It is always very windy through here.

 

 

We are making our way down to the Columbia River via I90's Vantage Hill.

 

 

 

There she is! The "Mighty Columbia"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wild Horse Monument as we climb up the hill on the Grant County side of the river.

[shadowmeboy]

 

We stop for gas in George, Washington. Yes, that is right. George Washington. Then head north on Washington 283 towards Ephrata.

 

 

 

Downtown Ephrata

 

 

Soap Lake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this stretch of highway 17

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

We stop at Dry Falls State Park Visitor Center to stretch our legs.

 

 

 

Max's M enjoying the view!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[shadowmeboy]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost home!

 

 

 

We finally made it home! Here is a picture of all we picked up on our trip. Most of the postcards are for my coworkers.

 

We had a fabulous trip! We enjoyed ourselves and cruise 2 out of 3 for 2022 was great to return to Alaska. You caught that right?

 

Cruise 2 out of 3? 

 

That is right, we are going to be embarking on another cruise in less than two weeks! Florida here we come! We are sailing the Encore. Hello Sugarcane! We are on a 11 night Southern Caribbean Cruise over Christmas and New Years! We can't wait!

 

As always, ask any questions you might have and I will try my best to answer them.

[CruisinMama2003]

Thank you for another wonderful review and fabulous pictures! McChord AFB was my first assignment in the military, was there for 7 yrs, absolutely loved WA State, just beautiful!

 

Cant wait for your next review 🙂

 

Safe travels to you and Susan on your next adventure 🍹🏖🛳

[SenatorsFan]

Thanks for another great review! I look forward to reading about your trip on Encore. We just got off on Nov. 20th and had a great time on a beautiful ship. 😊

[stormynow]

Sure Are fortunate to live in that beautiful part of the U.S.

[AKR2011]

Thanks for a great review as always! Enjoy your next one, and I look forward to following along 😊

[jamminlion]

What an awesome review! Wow you all had a great time.

Makes me even more excited for our return to AK this summer.

I have a couple of questions about Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Is it possible to get a cab there, or do we have to have an excursions or pay for the shuttle to downtown Ketchikan? 

We want to go back to Totem Bight, and find it ridiculous to have to go in to Ketchikan to then come right back out and past Ward Cove. Any insight?

Thanks again for this great review!

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

On 12/5/2022 at 8:55 PM, shadowmeboy said:

 

 

 

 

The red ship is a USCG Icebreaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately for you, this one is too. 😞 And as my next trip is on the Sun, I'm disappointed that you lost a couple days, and I lost a review of my next voyage.

 

But that loss aside, thank for you a great review and lots of food porn. Definitely some new things I will be trying!

[SeekingKillerWhales!]

On 1/21/2023 at 11:46 AM, jamminlion said:

What an awesome review! Wow you all had a great time.

Makes me even more excited for our return to AK this summer.

I have a couple of questions about Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Is it possible to get a cab there, or do we have to have an excursions or pay for the shuttle to downtown Ketchikan? 

We want to go back to Totem Bight, and find it ridiculous to have to go in to Ketchikan to then come right back out and past Ward Cove. Any insight?

Thanks again for this great review!

There's a free shuttle that will take you from the ship into Ketchikan and back again. Don't know about the second question, sorry!

[shadowmeboy]

On 1/21/2023 at 11:46 AM, jamminlion said:

What an awesome review! Wow you all had a great time.

Makes me even more excited for our return to AK this summer.

I have a couple of questions about Ward Cove in Ketchikan. Is it possible to get a cab there, or do we have to have an excursions or pay for the shuttle to downtown Ketchikan? 

We want to go back to Totem Bight, and find it ridiculous to have to go in to Ketchikan to then come right back out and past Ward Cove. Any insight?

Thanks again for this great review!

I cannot remember if there were taxis at Ward Cove. I agree that it would not make sense to go into town and then go back out to Totem Bight. The shuttle is free into town, but depending on the port times it’s not totally convenient. I almost think you will need an excursion unfortunately.

[shadowmeboy]

45 minutes ago, SeekingKillerWhales! said:

Unfortunately for you, this one is too. 😞 And as my next trip is on the Sun, I'm disappointed that you lost a couple days, and I lost a review of my next voyage.

 

But that loss aside, thank for you a great review and lots of food porn. Definitely some new things I will be trying!

Glad you could take some great food ideas from it. You could take a look at my 2016 review from the Sun to give some ideas. 

[shadowmeboy]

Just wanted to let everyone know I had started my Norwegian Encore pictorial review! Here is the link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927077-shadowmeboys-2022-encore-christmas-and-new-years-southern-caribbean-cruise-adventure/