Jenna's 30th !

Jenna turned 30 this month. We had a fun birthday weekend up at Rickie and Marilyn's lakehouse. Jared brought the boat up, and the weather was great for being on the lake (minus a little bit too much wind one afternoon). So glad we could have this special family time together with everyone!

I can't believe she is not only 30 but will be a "Mrs." in a couple of months.  

"Jenna, I love you and thank God daily for you!"

ALASKA -- The Beauty

Our cruise included the pretty much standard itinerary for a seven-day cruise. Our ports included Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Victoria. This really is a trip of a lifetime. You can always look out your backdoor to enjoy God's creation. But this was a long way from my backdoor, and the sites were unbelievable for this Texas gal. 

We chose some great excursions that had been recommended to us. We were certainly not disappointed! In Juneau, we did the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Watching excursions. Then in Skagway we did the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad which was about a 40-mile roundtrip tour at great elevations! In Ketchikan, we decided on a random tour that Rickie snagged us as we got off the ship that morning. It turned out to be a great one also with close-up views of both the beautiful salmon and totem poles in that area. 

I did take one unplanned adventure the first full day out at sea that no one else did. I got a great day in my cabin -- SEA SICK! But after meds and patches I was back on my feet the next morning ready to go. The ship's path had also moved more inland again which was great. So the blessing in this was that I really didn't miss too much.   

ALASKA -- First the Group

Seattle

We flew to Seattle on the Thursday before our cruise. We got to stay with a friend of Rickie's those two nights. This friend, Brian, has a place right on the water. He went out of his way to show us a great time.  He cooked breakfast that first morning. Then he took us IN HIS BACKYARD where we got to dig for clams and get our own oysters in preparation for dinner.  I kept thinking, "People pay big money to do what we are just hanging out doing." 

Up in the morning we toured downtown including Pike's Market and a Car Museum. But I must say the Ballard Locks were the most fascinating of all!  We then had a fabulous meal that evening. Brian cooked everything we had gathered, harvested -- whatever the correct word is. We had not only our clams, oysters (cooked two ways) but lobster and steak as well; all were served in the backyard looking out over the water.

Brian later brought out all the stuff and cooked smores by the fire. What a host!