Day 2 completion

So what we permantly were spoiled on was salmon. We've had it a number of ways but the first night meal was baked and amazing

I stayed up till 11and watched the activity for departure whick was a facinating ballet in its own rite. So what if my body thought it was 3 am -t was still light out
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Hail Moby

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Melanie's Hail Moby

Rachel, I'm alive. While David hiked I went on the raft and got to see a whale up close and personal. We're supposed to stay 100 yards from the whale but i guess he left his yardstick home because he swam about a 100 feet from us. The guide said he was a 40 foot whale. Who knew I could recite the Hail Mary!

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Day 2

After setting the alarm for 9 lest we sleep through breakfast, we we're both up at 7 and ready to eat. After coffee we took a short walk were we watched a pair of bald eagles nesting maybe 20 yards away. Next was breakfast #2 after which Melanie opted for a bubble bath and I took a bicycle the 3 miles to Mendenhall glacier.
Never could understand how people could spend all day sitting on a bike seat. It is hard to describe what it feels like to come around a curve and see the panorama. Nor will I attempt to describe what my legs were like once I got back. After a quick shower we headed out for another walk, this time along the Mendenhall river (photos to follow). There is an incredible system of paved and unpaved trails with casual walkers, power walkers, runners and of course lab owners Dogs and people alike are laid back and friendly.
After the walk we called for a taxi to take us into Juneau. Our driver was a 4th generation Alaskan and after we asked him to detour past the glacier he began a great monologue pointing out features and eagles as we went. Once in town he pointed out buildings (including the SOB -state office building) and "the local stores" bemoaning all the shops run by the cruise lines and foreigners. "I'm embarrassed by this - this is not the real Alaska- what's with selling diamonds? There are no emeralds here!". It may be 30 years later but still resonates the characters from McPhee's "into the country". After seeing the Governor's Mansion ("they don't bother staying here anymore") and the lot where he grew up he dropped us off at the dock. We took his word for it that we'd find the ship is we walked down past the salmon processing plant. With only 60 passengers our ship was small enough it could pass under the bow of the bigger cruise ships in port. In any case we dropped off our bags and headed off to explore Juneau.
The city is basically one long road "the road" with "end" posted at each end. One highlight was Tracy's crab shack- which was just that: a shack with some outside seating. We shared the best crab bisque (really outstanding) and a crab leg along with an Alaskan Amber.
We enjoyed checking out some of the "Alaskan Owned" galleries and craft shops and especially enjoyed a great little book store (another reason we get along so well. We bought some books for the Grandkids and a postcard for Hannah and sampled "hot smoked" and "cold smoked" salmon. Cold smoked is like "lox" and the hot smoke is firmer and chewier. We settled next door with a hot drink and our books till we could board at 5:30.
Upon boarding we checked out our room (on the aft port side if the ship) where Melanie immediately inspected the bathroom (see attached) and then headed down to the welcoming reception and safety lecture where we began to meet our ship mates. .
Then off to dinner where Melanie and I have been permanently spoiled by an (insert laudatory term here as my Blackberry has no thesaurus. For dessert Melanie asked just a spoonful of bread pudding and the waiter returned with the pudding in a spoon the size of a garden trowel which got a good laugh.
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Day 1

We flew out of balmy Syracuse on Friday on a clear day and had perfect views of Rochester and Niagara Falls on route to Chicago. The flight from there to Seattle was uneventful except for the incredible scenery over Montana and Western Washington Coming into Seattle was spectacular with Mt Rainier an imposing site. First time here for both Melanie and I. I was a bit concerned with the Air Alaska flight when everyone sitting in the window seat closed the blinds. Besides missing the view I had flashbacks of riding the N train with the lights out. But about 1/2 way there out seat mate (who was returning from a funeral in Oswego) opened her shade and we were treated to some amazing views of mountains, islands etc. As we landed in Juneau it was stil very light out although it was moving in on 10 pm (l2 am EST)

Walking out of the airport one imediatly felt like you had walked onto the set of Northern Exposure. Taxi guy made Aaron look the great communicator but got us to Pearson's Pond B&B

Our hostess was a bit shocked we were only spending the nighr but made us feel at home and gave us the short tour and showed us to our room. We were ready to crash. I don"t know when I'l be at a computer to upload photos so pictures will arive late
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Father's day in Madison - 2010

We had a wonderful weekend with Sarah and Alex - laid back with great food and company. Spent a lot of time just hanging in the back yard and playing with Max. Then a visit to Epic which has changed so much in the last 5 years. What an amazing facility.



The work the kids have done on the house was inspiring as well. Guess we'll have to start looking for doorknobs.

Invasion of Great Wolf Lodge

Lots of travel in March. Early in the month, Melanie presented in Portland Oregon, David did the NASA conference in Athens Georgia and then later that month, while David went down to Hilton Head for the 2010 NASMD conference.....

Melanie had a gathering of the clan at the Great Wolf Lodge near Niagra Falls

After which, of course was Passover - with no photos taken ( shame on us ), other than Noah's Frog and his pre-seder Affikomen gift.