Cruising To Wild Alaska! 🦅

It has been a dream of Vel and mines to take a cruise to Alaska. To be able to experience such a majestic place full of wonder, wild animals and beauty is a blessing and gift. As I documented this 9 day's journey with over 500 remarkable photos and experienced one of the most beautiful places in the world, we are humbled by God's glory.

Day 1: Journey to Alaska... Views in Flight

Our first adventure was taking a flight to Seattle, Washington from Phoenix, AZ. We had to get up at 3:45 am because it takes 1 hour and 15 min to get to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and our flight left at 8 am. (Yikes!!!😱) The flight itself was only 2.5 hrs. long. On the flight, I took a cat nap and woke up to these spectacular views in Washington. The views from above were the best I've seen yet! It was so green and lush. #seattlewashington I got a video of us landing too which was pretty cool. Facebook (video)

Day 2: Journey to Alaska: Bellevue Botanical Gardens and A Local Community Park

We stayed overnight in downtown Bellevue, WA at the AC Hotel by Marriott. It is a beautiful hotel by the way and we had great service! We chose that city because of its urban downtown area, and we had never been there before. We took a Lyft to the gorgeous Bellevue Botanical Gardens. Washington has some of the most spectacular gardens in the country! This garden has 35 acres of pure lushness, and we enjoyed all the different species of animals, plant, trees and flowers!!! And it is "FREE" to everyone! 🌼🌺🌲🍁🌿🏵🌸#bellevuebotanicalgarden #seattlewashington

On day two, we also visited A beautiful local community park in downtown Bellevue that was walking distance from our hotel. Two of the local food trucks come there on Saturdays and the burgers were delicious. 😋The park has an awesome waterfall and plenty of wildlife. This family of ducks with their five ducklings live there. This was our last day in Bellevue. Next will be pics of us getting on the cruise ship bound for Alaska. #bellevuebotanicalgarden #seattlewashington

Day 2: Journey to Alaska Cruise Port Terminal:

At the Seattle cruise port terminal, we waited patiently to board our cruise for the big Bon-voyage! We were so excited to experience Alaska!!! Here we go! #sailawaytoAlaska #RoyalPrincessCruise2023

Night 2: Journey to Alaska: Dis embarkment.

As we disembarked from Seattle and said goodbye, we toured some of the areas on the Royal Princess cruise ship. My favorite thing were all the beautiful light fixtures on the ship. Yep, I am a designer at heart. I love all things architectural and beautiful to the eye! Oh yeah, I loved the moose on the ship. 😂 He let me take a picture 📷 with him. #royalprincessalaskacruise

Day 3: Journey to Alaska (Juneau), a Waterfall and Mendenhall Glacier (2) Facebook (video)

We pulled into the first port: Juneau, Alaska and did a tour which included the Mendenhall Glacier and a waterfall. It was freezing and raining, but seeing Glaciers is the main reason we wanted to come to Alaska. The people were friendly and gracious in opening their beautiful state up to us and sharing their history and culture. We had a fabulous time, despite the frigid temps and rain. (2) Facebook (waterfall video) #juneaualaska

Day 3: Journey to Alaska (Juneau), Salmon Bake and Waterfall Hike

Juneau was a blast! After we visit the visitor center and saw the glacier on our tour, we were treated to a delicious feast with all the trimmings at a Salmon Bake. Afterwards we went on a short hike to see the waterfall. It was spectacular!!! #juneaualaska

Day 4: Skagway, Alaska (Part 1)

Our next stop on our Alaska cruise was Skagway. It was cold, but watching the trains and riding in them through the White Pass and to the Yukon in Canada was awesome!!! (Those pics to come next). #SkagwayAlaska

Day 4: Skagway, Alaska (Part 2) Klondike Gold Rush & White Pass Train Ride

Facebook (video 1) Scenic Railroad to the White Pass Summit and to the tip of The Yukon. So many things and views to take in through the White Pass. We started our journey from Skagway, Alaska. We got a chance to go outside on the train and take some remarkable photos. there were so many waterfalls along the way, the train was moving too fast to get them all. Facebook (video 1) Facebook (video 2)

Day 5: Glacier Bay National Park: Featuring otters, whales, waterfalls and glaciers.

Glacier National Park was the highlight of our cruise. It was majestic quiet and a very serine place. Seeing the Glaciers up close is something Vel and I have dreamed about for over 20 years. It was very foggy, but God parted the fog just long enough to get some amazing shots. To witness the amazement of #godsbeauty in the middle of nowhere and in frigid cold waters, rainy and the majestic snow-covered mountains were truly a blessing to witness. Otters, whales and dolphins made their presence known. Here is Glacier Bay in all its spectacular Glory! #glacierbaynationalpark and we have whales and otters in the bows of the ocean. (1) Facebook (video 1) Facebook (video 2) Facebook (video 3)

Day 6: Ketchikan Alaska (Part 1) Featuring: Bears, Eagles and the Tongass Rainforest

In Ketchikan, Alaska we visited the Tongass Rainforest. The weather was a lot warmer in the 60's and just a light jacket was needed. This was a beautiful historic city and rainforest. We took a wildlife and city tour, and we were able to see a mama 🐻bear (her cubs were hidden and protected from wondering eyes and flash ready 📷camera's). We also saw a bunch of wild eagles; 🦅they were HUGE!!! There were no words for the gift to witness both species in their natural habitat.

Next time we go back, we will go when the salmon is swimming upstream and hopefully see the bears fishing for them. This happens in mid-July through early September. I really enjoyed Ketchikan. #KetchikanAlaska

Day 6: Ketchikan Alaska (Part 2). So Much More To See!

We had all day to spend In Ketchikan, Alaska so we had an opportunity to take our time and explore the city and see a lot. No vacation is complete without a funny photo to commemorate our time together. Polar Bears and black bears are scary. Just check out those claws on those paws!!! Glad they didn't devour us on this day! Lol... It is a blessing to have the ability to travel and some of the places of God's creations. We are very thankful and humbled by Alaska's beauty and friendliness. 🐻‍ #KetchikanAlaska

Day 6: Ketchikan Alaska (Part 3). Creek Street, Tree Canopies and a Roaring Creek.

We visited Creek Street and the bridge, walked by Dolly's (whore house), and the beautiful winding maze that takes you to and through the most gorgeous, majestic tree canopies that overlook Ketchikan. The Creek was lovely, and you can hear rushing water throughout the entire city. At the top of the canopy lies a couple of hotels that welcome you with totem poles, great views and Ketchikan history. I nearly died climbing all those stairs, but I was determined to make it to the top to take in those views #KetchikanAlaska.

Day 7: Alaska Cruise (Our last night)

We ate at a delicious authentic Italian pizza restaurant and enjoyed watching the farewell celebration and games. A couple on the ship won a free cruise anywhere #princesscruises sails. #alaskancruise2023 Facebook (video of celebration).

Day 8: Back to Seattle. (Part 1) Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

On disembarking day, we scheduled a scenic hop on-hop off tour of Seattle, OR as our guide on the ship kept saying, a "Hoppa" tour in his Asian accent (everyone was so confused, but I found it hilarious every time he said it.)

We saw all the sights of downtown: Miners Landing, The Big Wheel Seattle, the cool Amazon Go office domes in the middle of a park, the tall buildings, waterfront, Space Needle, Chinatown, the convention center... and we stopped at #JOEANDTHEJUICE for a unique smoothie and cool vibe!

Day 8: Seattle, Washington (Part 2): Above at Skyview & Waterfall Garden Park

On our tour we got off for many stops. We found a beautiful sanctuary waterfall garden park, the Seattle Skyview Observation Tower and the Skyview Cafe (which has the best views of Seattle). Just look at these shots from 73 stories up! So amazing it doesn't seem real. Facebook (video 1) Facebook (video 2) #seattlewashington #skyviewobservation

Well, another state in the books! I have traveled to 25 of 50 United States of America. Alaska was one of our anticipated top 5 places to visit. Pictures doesn't do this state justice, but I hope you have enjoyed experiencing it through the lense of my camera phone. Traveling is something I thoroughly enjoy. I love to travel, but traveling on a bargain is where I shine, so i can fit in more travel... As I uploaded these 500 pics up to my travel blog, so others can experience Alaska, I am thankful and reminded how blessed I am to have an opportunity to see God's glory around the 🌍 world. Until our next adventure... #goodbyeAlaska