The Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday June 15th, 2024

[Cruzin Terri]

Good Saturday morning to all.

Thank you to Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie and Ann for your dedication to the FR & D.

Where would we be without all of you!

 

I have been to Ketchikan and it was a beautiful day when we were there.  That was our first HAL cruise back in 2007.

 

It is so good to be home.  I have never been so happy to see a vacation come to an end.  It was wonderful to sleep in my own bed last night.  

 

Unfortunately my cold is continuing and is now traveled to my chest.  I am also concerned because I seem to have some hearing loss from the cold.  It appears that it happened on the two plane rides on Thursday.  I am hoping that this is temporary and will clear up as the cold dissipates over the next few days.  I am using saline solution and a neti pot and hoping this will clear up some of the problem.

 

Today is dedicated to unpacking and laundry.  Yesterday, after we arrived home I had to go food shopping and that just finished me for the day.  I managed to pick up a rotisserie chicken and all the fixings so that I did not have to cook and have enough leftovers for tonight.  I was just pooped after that.  Figured the unpacking and laundry could wait until today. 

 

I will also have to help Jim with his wounds.  He just cannot do it by himself.  His skin is very thin and it I have to be very careful in cleaning the wounds and applying the dressing.

 

Thank you again for all your prayers and well wishes for us during this “mis” adventure we had.  Someday we will look back and think it was amusing.  (Maybe!)

 

Hope everyone has a great day.

God Bless,

Terri

[aliaschief]

Good morning. @Himself Bon Voyage!🛳🍾

Not much to discuss here. We are here getting what’s needed done. Our Med. Diet has been tasty and pounds are coming off. For me having no wine or alcohol since getting back is probably the best diet for loosing weight. My liver is purring!

Oh my the Celtics looked bad last night. Are they saving it for the Gardens and fans?

We might go to the farmers market to look for some fresh veggies. Another alternative we may go enjoy the neighbors pool which is a benefit for taking care of their cat.

It was hard to believe but neither one of us came down with a cold on our world cruise. I did come down with sinusitis but that occurs twice a year no matter what.

Cruise video bloggers from Canada who refer to themselves as the Cruising Canucks recently sailed on Volendam on a Canada itinerary and declared it their best cruise ever. It’s on You Tube. Another discovery of the virtues of smaller ship cruising.

Time to go feed the neighbors overly spoiled cat. That cat has total control over her human parents.

Have a great weekend. Dad’s enjoy your weekend and family. Unfortunately it’s only going to be Face Time for me but the big get together next month on Saint George Island is worth waiting for.

Thanks Rich and your faithful editors- Bruce

Edited June 15 by aliaschief

[grapau27]

Good afternoon.

Thank you for today's FR&D.

3 interesting days and important days in history.

Prayers 🙏 for all on our care list.

I hope everyone is safe and happy.

 

 

[Overhead Fred]

@Himself

 

[mamaofami]

Good morning everyone. My two youngest grandsons graduated high school this week. The youngest who was a 4 lb premie won his Philadelphia school’s highest science awards. One for having the highest science grade for junior and senior years and the other for the highest science grade and doing so while facing life’s challenges. His mom died from cancer when he was 9 years old. The other grandson won a scholarship from his New Jersey school. I’m so proud of them as they get ready to go off to college. Seems like yesterday they were born. The oldest two are in Israel for the summer with their parents and the last just graduated from University of Rochester. It’s been an exciting two months.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@Himself  I hope you have a great cruise, Father.

 

 

Lenda

[Haljo1935]

53 minutes ago, kazu said:

...I’m running out of boxes - will have to see where I can find some.  Liquor store was a bust so maybe the grocery store?  I refuse to buy boxes for giving away stuff 😂 😘 

Many grocery stores put boxes directly in a baler, so typically don't have any to give away.  They may have banana boxes, which are great for packing.

You could try Dollar General or Family Dollar if you have one near you - they flatten the boxes to recycle so they're easy to tape or fold back together.

[marshhawk]

Good Saturday Morning Dailyites! It is very hot and humid today and we are warned to spend as little amount of time outside because we are in day 4 of Orange alert.  But right now, I have the windows open for the cats to get fresh air.  

 

It is also nice to know the job situation has taken care of itself. However my last day in Cincinnati ended rather weirdly.  I called boss # 2 from job #1 who is boss # 1 on job # 2 to ask a question, and he said that I was supposed to be working on his campaign at the same time I was going to be working on the other campaign.  He said "you told Mark you were working 12-5" and I said yes on his time, but my hours were 3-8.  I told him that I had suggested that on our last day we work an earlier shift, that he said he would ask you, but I never heard back.so I stayed with my regular shift 3-8 which in California time is 12-5.  He said something to the effect that he couldnt understand that Mark would get that confused, and I was correct that working an earlier shift on our last day would allow for call backs.  In my humble opinion, too much boss and too little brain.

They are too busy being scared to ask questions of each other, that it seems easier to take it out on the peons.

 

I have been to Ketchikan twice, both times the sun shone, and the day was beautiful.  In May of 23 we toured Misty Fjords by boat.  This is a cone left from a volcano.  The guide told us it was the most photographed place in the Fjords.

 

 

 

Lots of long thin waterfalls

 

 

 

calm clear waters, and very tall cliffs

 

 

 

 

 

mist from a waterfall,

 

 

@catmando and our BFF

 

 

from our first trip, I think was back in 16 or 17- a great bench

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 the tunnel that goes under the hill in town

 

and a flower for the garden club.  Alaska is beautiful!

 

[marshhawk]

@Himself

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Ketchikan, Alaska!  In 2002 DH and I took our first cruise at the behest of our DDIL who was interested in trying it.  So with her and DS we flew to Anchorage and boarded the Star Princess in Seward, Alaska.  Our better photos of Ketchikan would be taken on future cruises but here is a photo of DH and I kayaking in Ketchikan.  7/18/2002

 

 

 

On Sapphire Princess on September 6, 2009 DH and I celebrated our 40^th wedding anniversary.

 

 

 

This was B2B cruises in Alaska and this was the first week.   After a nice walk around town checking out the salmon running at Creek Street, we took in this view of the long line of passengers returning to the ship before sailing.  There were two gangways open, too!

 

 

 

 

Our sunniest visit to Ketchikan was on our 14 day Amsterdam cruise on August 28, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went down to Creek Street to see if the salmon were running. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s the rapids the salmon try to move up.

 

 

 

 

Leaving port that afternoon we saw the spot we remembered kayaking at in 2002

 

 

And the flag comes down for the day

 

 

 

Lovely photos Sandi.

I'm sorry to hear your cold feels worse and possibly getting chesty today which might need antibiotics.

I'm pleased you are enjoying your cruise.

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a sunny day in central Texas.  It is 73F with 90% humidity and a dew point of 70F.  The weather app says there is a 1mph wind.  Our high this afternoon will be 93F, so I better get moving and get the mowing and trimming done before it gets too hot.  Yesterday driving back from Dallas it was very clear once we were away from the city.  We could see for miles and miles, and enjoyed the still green country.

 

Three interesting days to celebrate.  Wind power is good and there are a lot of wind turbines along I-20 between Abilene and Big Spring.  LGBTQIA plus equal pay are important.  The Magna Carta was an important document in early England.  We saw the document in the British Library when we spent a week in London.

 

I like the quote from Friedrich Nietzsche.

 

We'll pass on the meal, drink and wine today.

 

We have been to Ketchikan many times beginning with our first Alaska cruise in 1993.

 

The 1215 signing of the Magna Carta by King John was a momentous day.  I've seen the moving picture of the horse running on tv shows.

 

@Mtn2Sea  Welcome home, Robert.

@Crazy For Cats  Enjoy your day in NH with the special lunch to celebrate your friend's upcoming birthday.

@cat shepard  Ann, thanks for the "picture" of the no-see-ums.  They are nasty little pests, and I'm glad we left them behind when we moved away from the Gulf coast area.

@ottahand7  Nancy, thanks for the update on your DB's recovery.  I hope this time, the knee replacement will not become infected again.

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, I hope you can shake the cold soon.

@Heartgrove  Jack, thanks for the information about the Sentinel class of Coast Guard cutters.  It's nice the enlisted personnel are honored too.

@Cruzin Terri  Welcome home, Terry.  I hope you are over your cold soon, and that your ears are back to normal soon.

@mamaofami  Carol, congratulations to your grandsons on their high school graduations, awards and scholarships.  Also congratulations to another grandson on his college graduation.

@marshhawk  Annie, I'm glad the job situation is settled.  Thanks for the pictures of the boat tour in Misty Fjords.  We took a float plane over the area, but I would like to take the boat tour also.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Our first visit to Ketchikan was in June 1993, in the pre-digital age on the old Sky Princess.  We have been back there many times, mostly on BHB's and in all kinds of weather.  I have too many pictures for one post.  It may even take three posts.

 

In 2012 and 2014 we visited Ketchikan five times on Amsterdam.  We generally do multiple b2bs in Alaska figuring we'll get at least one decent day in the ports.

 

In 2012, we booked two tours using 2 for 1 coupons from the Great Alaskan Tour Saver.  The first one was a float plane flight to Misty Fjords.  Most of my pictures are the same as those posted earlier.  This tour was interesting, but it is one and done, since we came within seconds of flying into one of the mountains.  Fortunately, the fog cleared just in time for the pilot to pull up and turn very sharply.

 

We landed on calm bay and had the opportunity to step out on the pontoon.  After the near miss, neither of us nor the other couple wanted to do that.

 

The next time the Amsterdam took us to Ketchikan, we took the Duck Tour.  It was disappointing as we did not spend very long on the water, and most of the time was touring downtown.

 

 

In 2012, we did b2b2bs on Amsterdam.  We arranged to take the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour on the Aleutian Ballad.  The ship had been a crab fishing boat and was featured in season 2 of Deadliest Catch when it was caught by a wave and rolled 360 degrees.  They showed that scene from the show on the boat.

 

 

 

It is illegal to feed Bald Eagles in Alaska.  However, the tour took us to an island owned by one of the native corporations where they also owned the surrounding water, and the law did not apply.  The crew cut up bait fish and threw them toward the eagles.  It was amazing to watch the eagles catch the fish.

 

 

Another part of the tour was demonstrating the various crab traps and other traps.  They would haul the traps up and show us the catch, which was then released.

 

We also learned that an octopus is really very, very floppy.

 

On one of the subsequent visits to Ketchikan, we took an off road tour featuring Tom-Toms, an Israeli built ATV.  DH did not like how it drove.  It was wet, misty and cold up in the mountains, but it turned out it was dry and sunny in town.

 

We were the height of fashion that day.  

 

 

We stopped at one point to see a waterfall and to learn about the different plants and trees.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

I'll try to add a few more of my pictures from Ketchikan.  I always enjoy the sail away, and the trip down the channel.

 

First, this is an interesting totem that we saw in 2018.

 

 

Heading down the channel.

 

 

One of the Alaska Marine Highway ferries, Columbia.

 

The drydock

 

 

The airport, which is reached by ferry.  Does anyone remember the bridge to nowhere controversy.  The bridge was supposed to connect Ketchikan with the airport.

 

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

The final set of pictures.  We have rented cars a few times in Ketchikan and driven both directions from town.

 

Heading southeast from town.  

 

 

Now, going northwest from town.

 

Totem Bight State Historical Park.

 

 

 

 

In 2018 on Zaandam, we were also fortunate to see their 4th of July Parade.  It was a warm, sunny day in the mid 80s, and the locals were complaining about the heat.  It was the only time we've left the ship in shorts and without a raincoat.  We watched the parade from the ship, which gave us a great viewpoint.

 

 

 

 

The flyover by the seaplanes.  These were just two of  many.

 

The final entrant.

 

This is not how we normally dress when we're in Ketchikan.  We were just glad we had shorts with us.

 

Lenda

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  We live in a windy province which is good for wind turbines.  I don't care who you are or what your sexual proclivity is, everyone deserves equal pay for equal work.  Yay for the Magna Carta!

 

The sun is shining and the wind is blowing, so it looks like we're back to almost normal June weather.  The weather app is telling me it's currently 14(57) and we should get to a high of 24(75) which will be quite nice.  I'm amazed at the heat waves that are occurring to the south and east of us - temperatures approaching 35 (95) and higher; glad we live where we do, even though I complain about the winters.

 

Today DH's son and our son-in-law are supposed to come over to re-do the back steps leading from the deck down to the patio.  I'm sure Sochi is going to be out there in her catio watching all the action as they do what needs to be done so we have safe stairs again.  Today is also our son's 42nd birthday - can't believe he's that old already, as I don't feel old enough to have a child that age!

 

Last night was lovely - we were invited to a simple dinner at our Ukrainian family's apartment.  The first thing was their little girl had to give us an entire tour of the place, proud of every nook and cranny.  Dinner consisted of a delicious borscht made with chicken pieces(different from my cabbage borscht), and two different types of pirozhki - little buns with filling, one of egg and green onion, the other with mashed potatoes and dill.  Yum!  Dessert was madeleines with dulce de leche filing.  Simple dinner?  I think not!  I'm pretty sure Vlada spent the entire day cooking for us!

 

@HimselfBon Voyage!

@0106please wish your parents a very Happy Anniversary from us!  You are indeed fortunate to still have them in your life!

@Cruzin Terriso glad you made it home safely; take it slowly from here on, and take care of yourself.   You can't help your DH and do everything else around the house if you aren't well.

@kazuoh yum, lobster!  I hope your leg/foot will allow you to get a few more things done.

 

I'm going to pass on the drink, as I can't imagine anyone having passion fruit puree in their fridge on a regular basis, would try the wine (we had rose last night), and would try the salad if someone prepared it for me.  After the steps are finished, we'll be having everyone here for dinner which will be ribs on the barbecue, corn on the cob and a tossed green salad that we can enjoy at the table on the deck.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, in pain, in grief, in turmoil, in storms, and in wars.  Cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

 

 

[grapau27]

5 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

The final set of pictures.  We have rented cars a few times in Ketchikan and driven both directions from town.

 

Heading southeast from town.  

 

 

Now, going northwest from town.

 

Totem Bight State Historical Park.

 

 

 

 

In 2018 on Zaandam, we were also fortunate to see their 4th of July Parade.  It was a warm, sunny day in the mid 80s, and the locals were complaining about the heat.  It was the only time we've left the ship in shorts and without a raincoat.  We watched the parade from the ship, which gave us a great viewpoint.

 

 

 

 

The flyover by the seaplanes.  These were just two of  many.

 

The final entrant.

 

This is not how we normally dress when we're in Ketchikan.  We were just glad we had shorts with us.

 

Lenda

Super photos Lenda.

Nice photo of yourself.

[grapau27]

47 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

@Himself  I hope you have a great cruise, Father.

 

 

Lenda

+1 Bon voyage @Himself

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Denise T said:

Happy Saturday. Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Sunny and 81 today. I will be working in the garden today. 

Visited Ketchikan May 2023. We were on Nieuw Amsterdam and it was rainy.  

 

Bon Voyage to @Himself

 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

 

Nice photos.

[grapau27]

We decided to go out for dinner.

I had a lovely 14oz Ribeye steak 😋

Edited June 15 by grapau27

[RMLincoln]

A luxurious cool day today before the heat wave breaks over us next week. 
Prepping for DH’s son and DIL arriving Wednesday for a week. They’ll use our guest room for  a base camp and have many people to visit in the region so lots of day- trips for them. And not much entertaining for us!  Got a Costco run done yesterday, grocery run coming Monday. 

Tomorrow we’ll drive west about an hour to a poconos playhouse for My Fair Lady and maybe a special Father’s Day dinner at the Pompton Queen Diner if the timing is right. Otherwise it’ll be leftover pizza from the freezer!  We’ll miss the community dinner in our dining room but it’s nice to do something different too. 
 

I haven’t been sleeping well so that has disrupted the days. Just a nuisance.  Keeping up with the eye regime for DH. Pressures in that eye are still higher than desired. We’ll find out more July 1. 
 

Happy for Terri and Jim back home!  And to read that Nancy’s brother is getting care… what a mess!  He’s not the first person I’ve heard of going through this after dental work caused a deep infection in a knee replacement. I’m grateful I’m still able to walk even with my hip issue- better some days than others but managing. 
Roy, I’m sorry your tests left you needing to recover. I know you’ll be extra careful. 
 

Bon Voyage @Himself 🛳️🎉. Maybe you can fill us in on HAL’s new policy of priests on their cruises. 
 

Blessings to all especially thinking of our Care list and those in urgent need. 
 

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all. It’s a good time for reflecting. I had a difficult relationship with my father; then a very special relationship with my first father-in-law, both gone decades ago. Tomorrow I will celebrate DH’s fatherhood and the unexpected caring family it brought me!  ✨
 

Stay safe in the heat wave!  Smooth travels to all away!  Maureen 

 

[grapau27]

[Cruzin Terri]

@Himself Bon Voyage!

[sailingdutchy]

All the way back in 2007 we were in Ketchican for the very first time on the Zaandam and I booked for myself a floatplane tour to the lake to see if the bears were out looking for salmon . Martha and DMIL were not up for this so I said my goodbye enjoy the town I will see you later ……….

 

 

 

 

 

It so worked out perfectly for me and I was allowed to ride shotgun with the pilot as long as I did not touch anything …..

 

 

Perfect place to shoot a few nice pictures and what a thrill 

 

 

It was a very nice and clear day . Getting ready to land on the lake. 

 

 

 

 

There is one 

 

 

 

 

After a nice walk through the salmon farm we pulled back up 

 

 

 

And ready for another perfect landing near the Zaandam 

 

 

BTW I also went to Dolly’s house in Ketchican to see how she was doing but she was not home that day she was off …...

 

 Better go back now to the garden it looks very dry so I have some watering and also some weeding to do

 

Thank you to ALL the contributors of the Daily , this is a wonderful place to meet cruise friends !

 

Tony 😁😁

[RedneckBob]

3 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Ketchikan, Alaska!  In 2002 DH and I took our first cruise at the behest of our DDIL who was interested in trying it.  So with her and DS we flew to Anchorage and boarded the Star Princess in Seward, Alaska.  Our better photos of Ketchikan would be taken on future cruises but here is a photo of DH and I kayaking in Ketchikan.  7/18/2002

 

 

 

On Sapphire Princess on September 6, 2009 DH and I celebrated our 40^th wedding anniversary.

 

 

 

This was B2B cruises in Alaska and this was the first week.   After a nice walk around town checking out the salmon running at Creek Street, we took in this view of the long line of passengers returning to the ship before sailing.  There were two gangways open, too!

 

 

 

 

Our sunniest visit to Ketchikan was on our 14 day Amsterdam cruise on August 28, 2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went down to Creek Street to see if the salmon were running. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s the rapids the salmon try to move up.

 

 

 

 

Leaving port that afternoon we saw the spot we remembered kayaking at in 2002

 

 

And the flag comes down for the day

 

 

 

Is the drink of the day served at Dolly House?

[ottahand7]

@StLouisCruisersand @Cruzin Terri I hope your colds get better soon!  

 

@mamaofami you must be so proud of your DGS times two! 

 

Thanks everyone for the lovely photos of Ketchikan.   So many things to do there!