My West Coast Home

Growing up in Maine gave me a deep love for the outdoors. The forest and wilderness had instilled a peace and tranquility in my life. It provided an appreciation and admiration for the quiet, untouched earth in it's raw form. Something I had been unable to find since leaving my home, until now. Until I stepped onto Alaska soil. The crisp fresh air, the scent of pine, the misty sky cascading over snow covered mountains brought me right back to my happy place. It was a place I had never seen or been before and yet, it felt like when you come home for the first time in a long while.

Allow me to back up for a minute in case you're thinking "How in the world did you end up way on the other side of America?" As you know, I am big on cruises, or at least I hope you know that from previous posts you've read. This was going to be our grandest one yet. Don't get me wrong, I love the warm weather and sunshine, but after awhile all the islands kinda just blend in together. (No offense) So this was a different kind of vacation, one where I am pretty positive I was the youngest on the entire vessel.

We started in Seattle, and without a doubt if I could be happy with always wearing a raincoat, I would move there in a second. Seattle was definitely my city. It had a "hipster, millennials are taking over the world" vibe and I was digging it. Luckily, somehow, we caught it on an amazing occasion where is was sunny and 60 degrees. All the locals I spoke too, said it never happens, especially for early May. The touristy attractions were of course on our to do list, seeing the Space Needle, walking through Pikes Market, and being super basic at THE Starbucks. Walking and ubering around the city was a fantastic way to spend our Saturday before embarking on the ship.

Space Needle takes your photo for free!

Leaving the airport in Philly!

Cliche Space Needle photo, Thanks babe for getting on the ground to achieve the perfect angle.

By far the coolest camera ever! Plus my super clutch Chive tee for this very occasion #rivialcity

My favorite

Okay guys, I grew up in Maine. Home of great lobster but these were the BIGGEST tails I have ever seen in my life!

Sunny Seattle! 

Ready for the high seas!

 This was a 7 day cruise that went to the following ports of call, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Victoria, British Columbia. We also spent an entire day at Glacier Bay National Park. (Which makes for the most beautiful engagement photos ever, we will get to those shortly) Juneau, being the capital of Alaska was a pretty nifty port. We were not in the actual city which was disappointing, but you could take a cab ride over if you wanted to get away from all the souvenir shops. We walked around the town, checking out the Red Dog Saloon which is a must see if you're into the vintage brothels and enjoy bars with great tasting local beer and floors covered in saw dust.

Red Dog Saloon in Juneau, AK

Waiting to get off the ship!

View from Port of Juneau

Juneau also is the home of the Mount Roberts Tramway, a great non-excursion activity to do while in town. Wonderful sights along the way up and down. There was a store full of wildlife information and gifts, along with a coffee shop that awaited you at the top. If you are ambitious and brought the right shoes there are also trails at the top of the mountain that you can hike for some scenic views. Personally, we walked about a quarter mile to the first stopping point, snapped a few pictures then carefully walked back down. Definitely worth the ticket price, but be prepared to be waiting an awfully long time to get back down into town. It was quite the long line.

Our next stop was Skagway, and ya'll if you ever consider moving to Alaska, MOVE HERE! We spent maybe 8 hours there and fell in love. This little town was the kind of place where you don't lock your doors and everyone knows everyone. Self sufficient people with a kind and welcoming persona. This was the only location we actually planned an excursion for. We chose a bus ride into the Yukon and we had the greatest guide, Peter Lucchetti. Not only was he passionate about his love for Alaksa, he was so knowledgeable on everything you could possibly ever want to know about the wildlife, environment, and culture of the town and surrounding areas. He is also a magnificent painter and photographer. I was lucky enough to purchase one of his prints of the Northern Lights. Something I wish I could have seen with my own eyes. Our tour brought us into Canada passing through the Sawtooth Mountains, stopping at the beautiful Emerald Lake, and we had the delight of going through customs and made it all the way to the lovely town of Carcross. 

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

Sawtooth Mountains

Carcross Desert

First Time in Canada!

Welcome to the Yukon!

Next up on our ports was Ketchikan, this is where I finally got my incredibly over priced but extremely well worth it King Crab leg, and yes I mean leg, singular. Trust me, you only need one of these bad boys. The timing was this stop was a bit odd, we really only had a half day. We docked at 6 or 7am and had to be back on the boat by 1pm. This too was another stop we did not book an excursion for, we just walked around town stopping at all the touristy shops where I could acquire all the free gifts in my millions of coupon books. Yes, I am THAT PERSON, but who cares, they make for awesome presents! I sadly though, for some reason did not have any pictures of Ketchikan. I think this was a day that we forgot the good camera.

On to the main event, the entire reason I booked this specific itinerary. Glacier Bay. You spend a whole day at this beautiful icy fortress. The boat makes a complete 360 degree turn so that you can marvel at every inch of snow and glaciers. Now, I got some serious crazy looks for wearing a short dress on the top deck without a coat so that we could take our engagement photos. It was well worth standing in the mid 40s. It was a lovely day at sea, park rangers even came aboard the ship giving a detailed history of the glaciers, how they came to be and how they acquire their blue color. 

Our Save the Date photo!

Last but not least, Victoria BC. Now, I have to admit I had a bittersweet experience with this port. First, they had us there at the most odd time, 6pm to midnight. Being from the eastern time zone, my internal clock was screaming "Mercy" and to expect me to stay up until midnight on pacific time was crazy. Second, the only thing I wanted to do was have a high tea at the Empress hotel which was not allowed because they stop at 4pm. Bummer! I did however finally get to ride on a double decker bus which was the highlight of my day. It was a guided tour all around Victoria showing the attractions, residential areas, gardens, castles, and the Parliament Building which is absolutely gorgeous when lit up at night. I do highly recommend wearing warm clothes though, I was freezing at the top of the bus and we were luckily enough to get a blanket but the bus only had but a few. This is a town I will most certainly come back and visit when I can stay more than a few hours!

A majority of the world thinks "Warm and Sunny" when the word vacation comes to mind. I am so glad we picked going to see the snowy mountains and glaciers that Alaska and the Yukon has to offer. It took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. Never have I ever seen something so majestic and full of pure beauty. I hope you go someday and get to smell the fresh air and experience the pure stillness. In my opinion, it's better than sipping pina coladas on a beach, but that's just me.