Let's start with this morning...  Alan and I woke up at 5:30am.  I know, I know...  It's REALLY early for us.  But not really when you think about it.  It was 8:30am Detroit time, so not bad.  We wanted to stay on Detroit time for this trip, but it's not looking so good.  We're getting to bed earlier than normal at home, but still not fantastic.  Anyway, so we woke up, and I wrote yesterday's journal.  Alan uploaded pictures from yesterday, stuff like that.  We showered and gave Sally a wake-up call at about 7:30am.  Most of you don't know Sally.  That early in the morning is something I would never normally do, under any circumstances (except maybe death-like).  She woke up, showered, and we headed out to begin exploring a little of Seattle.

I decided before we began this trip that I wouldn't be afraid of things.  Normally, heights are out of the question.  But I can't do that here.  All the great excursions involve helicopters or floatplanes.  I had to be able to do that.  So I decided to start today and requested (since no one else had any suggestions) going to the Space Needle, which wasn't far at all from our hotel (see pictures from yesterday - it was pretty close).  Alan and Sally both agreed, so off we went.  

First was a quick stop at the local 24-hour grocery store, located across the street from our hotel.  How funny it was!  You had to pay for parking at the grocery store!!  If you were shopping, the store would give you a token to get out without paying, but otherwise it was a paid lot.  Strange if you ask me.  Off to the Space Needle, with no idea how to get there.  We just followed our senses.

After a walk through the World Fairgrounds (see pictures of fountains), we found the Space Needle.  No queasies, just a quick ride up.  We waited in line for a good long time, then discovered they had a restaurant where we could have brunch.  It was a little expensive, but what are vacations for?  Besides, it included the $13 we would pay just to get up in the needle anyway.  So we did it and found out we didn't need to stand in that line after all.  Oh well.  It all worked out anyway.

I did it!!  I landed at the (almost) top of the Space Needle.  One level down was the REVOLVING restaurant.  Again, lots of pictures.  I can't even begin to explain the view.  It was awe-inspiring.  Amazing.  Gorgeous.  And we got to see Mt. Rainier!!  Ok, that doesn't sound like such a big deal.  But Dusty, our server, explained to us that you can only see it an estimated 90 days each year.  And we could see it clear as day.  It was perfect.  Bright, sunny skies.  Unbelievable weather.

We had a wonderful meal, then walked the short flight up to the observation deck.  Still no height problem.  I even looked straight down to see something!  Ok, that wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but I did it.  And I'm damn proud of it.  More pictures, then back down.  I had tried to film the ride up, but had oops'ed with the camcorder (it's brand new, and this was my first attempt at filming), so I got it on the way down.  After about 45 minutes and several items from the gift shop, we headed back to the hotel.  Well, sorta.

On the way, we stopped and had these sweet people at the Adobe booth take our picture in front of a fountain.  It was a beautiful fountain, too.  Too bad it wasn't with our cameras.  But they were nice enough to print two copies for us.  It was a cool thing.  Free book, free software, it's all good. Off we went again.  Oh, and video of the fountain, too.

We checked out of our hotel, got our bags into a shuttle van, and off to the cruise ship we went!  Check-in wasn't too bad, actually.  It probably only took us 20 minutes or so, then onto the ship we went.  I can't even begin to explain our excitement.  After that, time just sorta happened.

We found our staterooms.  They're small, but not too bad.  Maybe "cozy" is a better word.  It was nice - we were greeted with chocolate covered strawberries (one of my favorite things in life!) and a lovely bottle of Merlot from our travel agent.  I thought that was very thoughtful.  I started unpacking right away.  I can't stand to be packed while away.  I feel like I'm always on the go if I'm living out of a suitcase.  It took a bit to get our luggage, but then we were set.  In the meantime, we found our friends Gail and Michelle from California, and began worrying about our other friend, Toni, who was late arriving.

We found our tickets for our excursions, including a note saying our first one had been cancelled.  We're not sure what "logistical considerations" means, but ok...  We were bummed.  We REALLY wanted it, so we were headed to the Excursion Desk to plan a replacement.  We had been scheduled for the Misty Fjords Wildlife Quest.  Instead, we're doing the Misty Fjords Cruise and Floatplane.  Ok, is it just me, or am I nuts??  Two flights to get here, two flights to get home, a Space Needle ride, a floatplane, and a helicopter and I'm afraid of heights?!?  Ok, I'm brave.  And strong-willed.  Shocking, I know.

More incredible news.  They had dogsled trips open.  But we had a non-refundable, non-changeable helicopter tour of the glaciers that day... It would make it an incredibly expensive day.  I mentioned to the girl at the desk that I was disappointed because they had told me that the dogsledding tour (which I had really wanted to do since the first time we read about the different excursions) was over-booked and no spots would be available for on-board registration, so I'd taken the NCL representative's suggestion and registered us for another helicopter tour.  She suggested they may allow us to change it and went to check.  Much to my surprise, they agreed and we were booked on the Dogsledding excursion.  I had tears of joy, literally.  That just made my whole trip.  Kelly was her name, and I won't forget her.

At about 3:30 we headed up to the very top deck (the Bier Garden) to meet with our group.  It was a quick, short meeting, basically just letting us know that we all had reservations for dinner in the Windows restaurant at 5:30.  Ok, no big deal.  We left to find Toni.

4pm and still no Toni.  We're supposed to all be on board now, and ready to leave in 30 minutes.  It's time for our emergency drill.  We all get to model our very (cough) fashionable life preservers for the crew so they can make sure we know how to put them on properly in case anything goes wrong.  Okay, no problem.  It went smoothly.  Toni will have to make it up tomorrow.  I'm just glad I won't have to be wearing that thing again.  :)  This trip will be perfect.  I can tell already.

Toni finally showed up at about 4:45 or so.  Her flight had been delayed for a few hours in Chicago, but she made it safely and that's all that mattered.  Dinner was at 5:30, so we all met at 5:20 and walked down together.  I wasn't sure about staying (nothing on the menu sounded good) but did anyway.  It turned out to be a wonderful meal.  Alan and I both had a barbequed salmon.  Nice flavor.  Dessert (chocolate pecan cream cake with a whiskey caramel fudge sauce and raspberry pure on the side) was wonderful.  Toni and I decided to walk it off around the decks.

What a beautiful view.  We managed to be out on deck on the rear of the ship during sunset, in the mountains.  Incredible.  This is heaven for me.  I'm in love already.  Every moment on this ship is like a moment spent in heaven.  The mountains have surrounded us at all times.  The weather is amazing.  It was windy on deck, but we found some areas where the wind was blocked.  Just the smell of the fresh ocean air, and seeing the salt piling up on my glasses reassured me that I'm alive and truly experiencing this journey.  I know I'm getting sentimental.  This trip has been our dream for a long time.  I honestly can't imagine that anyone could possibly NOT like it.  I can't wait to go to sleep and wake up in the morning.  Toni should be calling at 6am and I'm looking forward to it.  I wish I could stay up 24/7 and enjoy literally every moment, but just knowing that I'm falling asleep out on the ocean is peaceful and serene.  I hope someday everyone can do this...  I know I'll do it again and I've only just begun.  They say it becomes more beautiful as you get closer to Alaska.  Is that really possible?  Goodnight for now.  And sweet oceanic dreams.

Pictures from today

Goto Day 3 - 06/20/04