Hooray for Hoonah!

Hi All!

Checking in once more from Alaska! It has been a fun trip so far and today was no exception. Today, the ship is anchored outside of Icy Strait Point which is a totally tourist trap developed by the city/town of Hoonah to entertain cruise ship people.

The main venue, which hold the shops, was once a cannery for Salmon (I think but I am not totally sure what they canned there). There are several shops as well as a museum about the cannery on the site. There are three restaurants which have the requisite fish and chips and there are some thing like 12 tours which depart from the area. Another HUGE attraction is the zip line which is the world's longest (can that be right?). While Hubby and I didn't actually do the zip line, we did get to watch others as the sailed past. Everyone I have talked to who has done it says it is wonderful!

Hubby and I, having been to the tourist shops before, decided to walk into the city/town of Hoonah. This is about a two mile walk or so. The walk takes you right along the shore where you can see sea life (we did see what we think was a sea lion or seal) and the forest where you can see eagles and ravens (we saw MANY ravens and several eagles). Once you make it into the city there isn't a lot to see but it is a nice little place and the people are very friendly.

We stopped in one store and purchased some sea glass gathered and prepared by the owner's 19 year old son who has Downs Syndrome. The sea glass endeavor is his way of earning money to take care of himself. Apparently, he is pretty successful with it.

For lunch we stopped at The Galley where we tried out the halibut poppers. These were basically halibut egg rolls (well, sort of - with no Asian flavors involved but they wouldn't tell us the secret of what exactly was in the sauce). They were scrumptious! The Galley also makes halibut pizza - I know that sounds totally gross but they had samples out and the stuff was wonderful! Yum yum! The owner of the place said that he is trying to get the halibut pizza (or flat bread melts to be specific) and the halibut poppers into the frozen food market. I know I will be looking for them!

The only down side to the day is that it did rain a little while we were walking. Most of the heavy rain happened while we were feasting on Halibut Poppers but we did get a bit "damp" by the time we got back to the touristy area. We were also happy to see the bathrooms by the time we got there!

Let's see. We stopped in Kodiak either yesterday or the day before (the days all run together when you don't have to be anywhere!). I met with my friend, Jeff, whom I had met last year during our stop in Kodiak. He makes salmon leather. We have been emailing about him making some bookmarks out of the salmon leather and he had four made up to show me. I will certainly have to let you see pictures when I get back home. Even Hubby was impressed with them. I bought three of the four he had made (two for me and one for one of the women we eat dinner with). I really, really like them.

I think that is all I have time for today. I hope to get another update in here soon - I know I haven't been very regular in my postings but vacations are tough!

Trisha

Voice Update: My voice is doing well despite the fact that I am not being very kind to it. I am doing my exercises but have really fallen down on the whole massage. I guess when I get home I will have to get back into the routine!