We learned

I love to learn and I love to learn new things while traveling.
Our cruise to Alaska afforded us a lot of opportunities to learn new things, such as:

1. We started out the cruise in Vancouver, British Columbia. We drove through the city on a bus from the airport and the bus driver gave us a running commentary on all that Vancouver is doing to get ready for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Wow, what a beautiful city. I had no idea it was that big and beautiful. What a GREAT venue it will be for the Olympics.
   
2. I love to eat salmon. Love it! Now I know the whole story about the life of a salmon. We went to a salmon hatchery in Juneau and learned how salmon imprint by smelling the water where they are born and then when they are ready to spawn, they instinctively return by smell to the waters where they were born. AMAZING!
   
3. Did you know that you can't get to Juneau, the state capitol of Alaska by driving there? You have to fly in, sail in or come in my ferry boat with your car. The roads in Juneau are about 35 miles in length and then they just end on either side of the city. We saw a sign that said, End of Road - 25 miles and then we were told that there was a stop sign and nothing but forest beyond the stop sign. CRAZY!
   
4. We took a tour of the state capitol building and learned the history of Alaska. The building is quite small and one of only 11 state capitol buildings that doesn't have a dome. We walked past former Governor Sarah Palin's home, the governor's mansion a block away from the capitol. IMPRESSIVE. However, Alaskans are not impressed with Governor Palin quitting early. Not impressed at all.
   
5. We learned about the early settlement and history of Ketchican, Juneau and Skagway, our three ports of call. We went on a ranger tour of Skagway and went into the restored homes of some of the first settlers in the area. INTERESTING. We got off the ship in Whittier and drove through a tunnel that was 2 1/2 miles long out of solid rock on the hour bus ride to Anchorage. It was through some beautiful country. A bear even ran across the road in front of the bus.
   
6. We learned a ton about glaciers, glacial ice and ice fields. A couple of rangers from the Glacier Bay National Park came on board our ship and spent most of one day talking to us while we were on the deck by explaining more about what were were seeing. They also gave another presentation in the theater room of the ship which we attended. More on those MAGNIFICENT glaciers later.
   
7. We rode the White Pass railroad train up the canyon outside Skagway that was used by the early miners who were part of the Alaskan gold rush in the Yukon territory called the Klondike gold rush. BREATHTAKING views. Incredible story of perseverance and courage. It's an amazing port because it was deep water for ships right next to land for trains. You don't see that every day. Take a look at these pictures.
   
8. We attended a lecture on board given by Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the Iditarod dog and sled race that they hold annually in Alaska. We learn all about the Iditarod and what it takes to run husky dogs. Libby has written several books on the subject, including several children's books. I bought these two to share with our grandchildren. What a COURAGEOUS woman! Alaskans are tough as nails.
   
9. 

Whale watching and sea creatures in the area. The rangers gave us some great information about the life and habits of the creatures living in the Alaskan sea. We saw some whales (Rick saw more than I did because I was napping one afternoon while he was on deck and he saw some whales. Sad for me, I know.) GLORIOUS!