Hi All!
Just a quick blog for now and hopefully a longer one later! Hubby and I are back!!! We got in after midnight last night so we are both wiped out today. After a nap I plan on tacking laundry and catching up on blogs I have missed while I have been gone.
Maybe I will even download a few pictures!
Have I really not blogged since Sunday? I could have sworn that I did!
Trisha
Friday, June 27, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Alaska, Robert Service and the Earthquake of 1964
Hi All!
We just pushed away from the dock in Juneau and are now heading toward Sitka. Hubby and I had a good day in Juneau despite the rain that started falling in the afternoon.
In the morning we went on a tour to a gold mine and got to pan for gold and garnets. The tour in the mine was run by a real miner (who mined in Arizona for about 29 years and retired and now works during the summer up here doing tours) and he was very knowledgeable. We spent about 40 minutes or so in a mine shaft where the temps were around 36 degrees or so. My nose was really, really cold by the time we got out.
There was a cute little squirrel that came into the mine shaft looking for nuts. Apparently the miner and the other staff at the gold mine feed the squirrels nuts. This one came right up to us and looked at each of us to see if we were potential nuts suppliers. Well, I think that is what he did. Either that or he was sizing us up to see which of us he could tote back to his nest to eat later!
In the afternoon we walked about the historic downtown of Juneau. This is our third time to visit Juneau so we knew the lay-out. I hit a couple of book stores looking for a small book of poetry by Robert Service and a book about the 1964 earthquake.
Okay - let me ask YOU - have you heard of the poet Robert Service? I am a pretty well read person and had never heard of him - which totally blew the mind of the woman in the bookstore in Skagway. I felt so uneducated. Well, I now have five of his poems and will bone up on him.
Also - I am very disappointed in my American History teachers because I don't recall every hearing about the big Alaskan Earthquake of 1964 or the tsunami which followed. I wasn't born in 1964 so I sort of have an excuse but from everything I have heard up here it was a MAJOR thing. I also got a book about this (so it is a kids book with lots of pictures . . . who cares? Besides Hubby, I mean!). It looks like I have some reading to do!
With that I am off to dinner.
Trisha
Voice Update: Still pretty good. I did some reading out loud today (A Robert Service poem to which Hubby pretended to listen) but still haven;t gotten back to my massage. Bad, bad me! I did talk on the phone today and the phone was located in a pretty noisy area. Small triumphs!
We just pushed away from the dock in Juneau and are now heading toward Sitka. Hubby and I had a good day in Juneau despite the rain that started falling in the afternoon.
In the morning we went on a tour to a gold mine and got to pan for gold and garnets. The tour in the mine was run by a real miner (who mined in Arizona for about 29 years and retired and now works during the summer up here doing tours) and he was very knowledgeable. We spent about 40 minutes or so in a mine shaft where the temps were around 36 degrees or so. My nose was really, really cold by the time we got out.
There was a cute little squirrel that came into the mine shaft looking for nuts. Apparently the miner and the other staff at the gold mine feed the squirrels nuts. This one came right up to us and looked at each of us to see if we were potential nuts suppliers. Well, I think that is what he did. Either that or he was sizing us up to see which of us he could tote back to his nest to eat later!
In the afternoon we walked about the historic downtown of Juneau. This is our third time to visit Juneau so we knew the lay-out. I hit a couple of book stores looking for a small book of poetry by Robert Service and a book about the 1964 earthquake.
Okay - let me ask YOU - have you heard of the poet Robert Service? I am a pretty well read person and had never heard of him - which totally blew the mind of the woman in the bookstore in Skagway. I felt so uneducated. Well, I now have five of his poems and will bone up on him.
Also - I am very disappointed in my American History teachers because I don't recall every hearing about the big Alaskan Earthquake of 1964 or the tsunami which followed. I wasn't born in 1964 so I sort of have an excuse but from everything I have heard up here it was a MAJOR thing. I also got a book about this (so it is a kids book with lots of pictures . . . who cares? Besides Hubby, I mean!). It looks like I have some reading to do!
With that I am off to dinner.
Trisha
Voice Update: Still pretty good. I did some reading out loud today (A Robert Service poem to which Hubby pretended to listen) but still haven;t gotten back to my massage. Bad, bad me! I did talk on the phone today and the phone was located in a pretty noisy area. Small triumphs!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Alakan Adventure
Hi All!
Congratulations to Arwyn who correctly placed our cruise in Alaska. Yes, we were in Ketchican but we have also been to Skagway, Valdez, Seward, and Kokiak. Right now we are cruising on our way to Juneau and Sitka.
So far it has been a pretty nice cruise. Our tour in Valdez was a bust - I don't know how they can charge as much as they do for what we got! However, we did get to spend time in the Sealife Center in Seward which was fascinating! Did you know that Puffins actually "fly" through the water when they swim? They flap their wings to propel themselves through the water. Very neat to watch- very difficult to catch on film. I do have some pictures of the sea lion (an IMMENSE beast) and the seals to show you when I get home.
We had had two King Crab leg lunches - one in Seward and one in Kodiak - which were fabulous. Of course I did come away from the lunch in Kodiak with some battle scars from the crab. Those things are spiky!
We saw bald eagles while eating in Kodiak and the babies are big things! It was very neat to see them so close. I got within ten feet or so of a baby before he flew away.
Hubby won a Sudoku contest on the ship. We have done another load of laundry in the ship Laundromat while hanging out with the "dirty clothes crowd." We have eaten a LOT of great food - and some okay food but, on a cruise - you HAVE to eat!
Tomorrow we will be in Juneau and then it is off to Skagway. We will also visit Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Vancouver to end our adventure.
Thank you for staying with me despite my irregular posting schedule while on vacation. I hope you are all doing well.
Trisha
P.S. Arwyn- I will get in touch with you about where to send your prize when I get home.
Voice Update: My voice is doing really well in general. Today it is a bit weaker due to some stress in my life but it still isn't' too bad - just cutting out on me now and then. I have been trying to do my massage but have been horrible about the vocal exercises. I have done some reading out loud but not enough. Then again - I AM on vacation, right?
Congratulations to Arwyn who correctly placed our cruise in Alaska. Yes, we were in Ketchican but we have also been to Skagway, Valdez, Seward, and Kokiak. Right now we are cruising on our way to Juneau and Sitka.
So far it has been a pretty nice cruise. Our tour in Valdez was a bust - I don't know how they can charge as much as they do for what we got! However, we did get to spend time in the Sealife Center in Seward which was fascinating! Did you know that Puffins actually "fly" through the water when they swim? They flap their wings to propel themselves through the water. Very neat to watch- very difficult to catch on film. I do have some pictures of the sea lion (an IMMENSE beast) and the seals to show you when I get home.
We had had two King Crab leg lunches - one in Seward and one in Kodiak - which were fabulous. Of course I did come away from the lunch in Kodiak with some battle scars from the crab. Those things are spiky!
We saw bald eagles while eating in Kodiak and the babies are big things! It was very neat to see them so close. I got within ten feet or so of a baby before he flew away.
Hubby won a Sudoku contest on the ship. We have done another load of laundry in the ship Laundromat while hanging out with the "dirty clothes crowd." We have eaten a LOT of great food - and some okay food but, on a cruise - you HAVE to eat!
Tomorrow we will be in Juneau and then it is off to Skagway. We will also visit Victoria, British Columbia before returning to Vancouver to end our adventure.
Thank you for staying with me despite my irregular posting schedule while on vacation. I hope you are all doing well.
Trisha
P.S. Arwyn- I will get in touch with you about where to send your prize when I get home.
Voice Update: My voice is doing really well in general. Today it is a bit weaker due to some stress in my life but it still isn't' too bad - just cutting out on me now and then. I have been trying to do my massage but have been horrible about the vocal exercises. I have done some reading out loud but not enough. Then again - I AM on vacation, right?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sailing, Sailing . . .
Hi All!
Hubby and I are asea again! We are in the middle of the ocean somewhere! I am still not sure that I want to let you in on our location yet! In fact, I think I will make it a bit of a contest!
I will have a special treat to send to the first person who correctly identifies where we are traveling based on the very veiled hints I have been giving. Remember, after I return I will show you pictures and give you more details - I can't do the whole picture thing from the ship.
Let's see - yesterday were in another port of call. It is somewhere that Hubby and I have been before so we didn't rush right off the ship. We actually did some laundry and saw a movie on the ship before heading down the gangplank.
Onshore we saw a very quaint little town in which smokers are cautioned to "Save our hundred year old wooden buildings and dispose of butts here." There were wooden sidewalks and gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.
I stopped at a local shop - in my effort to purchase souvenirs that are actually made in this area - and hit pay dirt! I bought a book thong (please tell me that someone reading this knows what that is!) and a cd of music by a local musician. I hope the cd is good - I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet!
After purchasing a postcard and getting it in the mail - Hubby and I returned to the ship for dinner. We sure get a lot of food here! Of course, that is part of what a cruise is all about, isn't it?
Good luck figuring out where we are and remember, I do have a prize for the first correct guess!
Trisha
Voice update: My voice is very good. So good that people don't even know that I have SD. Interesting! I am falling behind on most of my exercises but am making an effort to read out loud. Seeing this in print has made me determined to get back on the wagon with my massage and exercises. Fun, fun, fun! Talking to myself on this ship won't be too weird. There are a lot of older people who do the exact same thing!
Hubby and I are asea again! We are in the middle of the ocean somewhere! I am still not sure that I want to let you in on our location yet! In fact, I think I will make it a bit of a contest!
I will have a special treat to send to the first person who correctly identifies where we are traveling based on the very veiled hints I have been giving. Remember, after I return I will show you pictures and give you more details - I can't do the whole picture thing from the ship.
Let's see - yesterday were in another port of call. It is somewhere that Hubby and I have been before so we didn't rush right off the ship. We actually did some laundry and saw a movie on the ship before heading down the gangplank.
Onshore we saw a very quaint little town in which smokers are cautioned to "Save our hundred year old wooden buildings and dispose of butts here." There were wooden sidewalks and gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains.
I stopped at a local shop - in my effort to purchase souvenirs that are actually made in this area - and hit pay dirt! I bought a book thong (please tell me that someone reading this knows what that is!) and a cd of music by a local musician. I hope the cd is good - I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet!
After purchasing a postcard and getting it in the mail - Hubby and I returned to the ship for dinner. We sure get a lot of food here! Of course, that is part of what a cruise is all about, isn't it?
Good luck figuring out where we are and remember, I do have a prize for the first correct guess!
Trisha
Voice update: My voice is very good. So good that people don't even know that I have SD. Interesting! I am falling behind on most of my exercises but am making an effort to read out loud. Seeing this in print has made me determined to get back on the wagon with my massage and exercises. Fun, fun, fun! Talking to myself on this ship won't be too weird. There are a lot of older people who do the exact same thing!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Bordellos, Boardwalks, and Beer
Hi All!
Well, yesterday was so full of fun that we didn't get to the Internet and today we were not able to get online for most of the day so . . . I am here now. It is about 10:00 PM where I am (still not telling!) and it is "dark." Of course dark is actually more twilight but . . . I guess it is dark for the time being. It will be bright and sunny by about 4 in the morning which is when I will awaken to never go back to sleep until the afternoon when I fall asleep from exhaustion.
We were at a place with a famous boardwalk over a creek which was the site of the bordellos when this place was in its heyday. There is still a famous house there - Dolly's - from the time when the whole boardwalk was a red light district. Now, of course, it is set up for the tourist trade and is the home of many cute little shops. Hubby and I didn't partake of the shops since we have been there and seen that already.
We did, however, walk to the local IGA to purchase some beer, Diet Coke, and water to take back to our room on the ship. That way we don't have to pay the going price for these items on board. It is always fun to shop at different places with Hubby - we have to check out the price of milk since that is his profession.
Imagine Hubby's excitement when we looked at the local newspaper while eating Halibut fish and chips at a local eatery and there was an article about milk in the paper! We had to buy our own copy of the local rag so he could have that article. Of course it was fun to read the news for such a small place for me as well.
Today we stayed on the ship as there was no stop. We did have a chance to look at AMAZING scenery and to see massive landforms (well - they are technically not LAND but I don't know what else to call them!) which are supposedly in danger from global warming. Actually, the park rangers who came on board to do a running commentary on the scenery said that these wonders have been receding for years and the park scientists can not say for certain if global warming is making them recede faster or not. They do point out that there are certain of these things which are actually growing instead of shrinking.
Take that global warming!
So - has anyone guessed where Hubby and I are vacationing? A warm and fuzzy for the first person who guesses correctly! It is hard to describe what we are doing without naming the places or the easily identifiable things we are seeing. For example, we saw a whole slew (about 30+) of large aquatic creatures tonight while we were walking but I can't really tell you about it without giving away the secret!
I will be more descriptive after the vacation when I can show you pictures!
I hope you are having a super week and to all of the fathers out there - Happy Father's Day!
Trisha
Voice Update: Today I did massage and some exercises (after Hubby pointedly asked if I had been doing any). I also read out loud for about 20 minutes (during which time Hubby was trying to watch TV in the same small room but hey - he was the one who said I needed to do more exercises!). My voice is good. The best it has been for a while. I am still talking a bunch so that is probably helping!
Well, yesterday was so full of fun that we didn't get to the Internet and today we were not able to get online for most of the day so . . . I am here now. It is about 10:00 PM where I am (still not telling!) and it is "dark." Of course dark is actually more twilight but . . . I guess it is dark for the time being. It will be bright and sunny by about 4 in the morning which is when I will awaken to never go back to sleep until the afternoon when I fall asleep from exhaustion.
We were at a place with a famous boardwalk over a creek which was the site of the bordellos when this place was in its heyday. There is still a famous house there - Dolly's - from the time when the whole boardwalk was a red light district. Now, of course, it is set up for the tourist trade and is the home of many cute little shops. Hubby and I didn't partake of the shops since we have been there and seen that already.
We did, however, walk to the local IGA to purchase some beer, Diet Coke, and water to take back to our room on the ship. That way we don't have to pay the going price for these items on board. It is always fun to shop at different places with Hubby - we have to check out the price of milk since that is his profession.
Imagine Hubby's excitement when we looked at the local newspaper while eating Halibut fish and chips at a local eatery and there was an article about milk in the paper! We had to buy our own copy of the local rag so he could have that article. Of course it was fun to read the news for such a small place for me as well.
Today we stayed on the ship as there was no stop. We did have a chance to look at AMAZING scenery and to see massive landforms (well - they are technically not LAND but I don't know what else to call them!) which are supposedly in danger from global warming. Actually, the park rangers who came on board to do a running commentary on the scenery said that these wonders have been receding for years and the park scientists can not say for certain if global warming is making them recede faster or not. They do point out that there are certain of these things which are actually growing instead of shrinking.
Take that global warming!
So - has anyone guessed where Hubby and I are vacationing? A warm and fuzzy for the first person who guesses correctly! It is hard to describe what we are doing without naming the places or the easily identifiable things we are seeing. For example, we saw a whole slew (about 30+) of large aquatic creatures tonight while we were walking but I can't really tell you about it without giving away the secret!
I will be more descriptive after the vacation when I can show you pictures!
I hope you are having a super week and to all of the fathers out there - Happy Father's Day!
Trisha
Voice Update: Today I did massage and some exercises (after Hubby pointedly asked if I had been doing any). I also read out loud for about 20 minutes (during which time Hubby was trying to watch TV in the same small room but hey - he was the one who said I needed to do more exercises!). My voice is good. The best it has been for a while. I am still talking a bunch so that is probably helping!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ahoy Maties!
Hi All!
I am just checking in from my vacation. Hi! Are you all still there? Do you have enough food and water? I hope my cats do!
Well, if you didn't figure it out from the title of this blog, I am on a ship. While it looks like a very big ship - it is really rather small in relation to some of the other behemoths out there! Currently the big but not really big ship that I am on is cruising through the Pacific Ocean. I believe that I will leave you in suspense at to just where we are heading for right now. It is more fun that way - isn't it?
Traveling yesterday went . . . okay. I guess. It was a LONG day. Hubby and I got up at about 4 in the morning (!!!!) and then spent a lot of time doing our favorite activity - "riding" the line ride! For the uninitiated, this is the name of the "ride" where you stand in a long line which snakes back and forth between nylon "ropes" until you get to another line which is usually oriented in a different direction. We rode the line ride to check our baggage (and paying for the third bag - I can't believe it!), to go through the metal detector barefoot, to get onto the place (you knew that is where we were heading, right), to change planes at a different airport (or course - you can't get anywhere from where we started!),to clear passport control (that is a hint for you!), to pick up our luggage, to hand our customs form to a woman, to get a taxi, to go through another metal detector (this time while wearing our shoes), to sign paperwork, and - finally, to get onto this big but not huge ship.
It was exhausting.
But, we are here and enjoying it so far. I just ate some hot french fries (Mom -they were right out of the oil hot!) and am blogging with you while Hubby relaxes.
Talk to you soon!
Trisha
Voice Update: Surprisingly good despite a lack of sleep (getting up early yesterday and last night dealing with nightmares - where did THEY come from????) and the stress of dealing with a LOT of people. I did some massage while on the plane but haven't been too good about my exercises. Well, I did walk this morning but didn't do the vocal exercises. Does talking to a lot of strangers make up for that?
I am just checking in from my vacation. Hi! Are you all still there? Do you have enough food and water? I hope my cats do!
Well, if you didn't figure it out from the title of this blog, I am on a ship. While it looks like a very big ship - it is really rather small in relation to some of the other behemoths out there! Currently the big but not really big ship that I am on is cruising through the Pacific Ocean. I believe that I will leave you in suspense at to just where we are heading for right now. It is more fun that way - isn't it?
Traveling yesterday went . . . okay. I guess. It was a LONG day. Hubby and I got up at about 4 in the morning (!!!!) and then spent a lot of time doing our favorite activity - "riding" the line ride! For the uninitiated, this is the name of the "ride" where you stand in a long line which snakes back and forth between nylon "ropes" until you get to another line which is usually oriented in a different direction. We rode the line ride to check our baggage (and paying for the third bag - I can't believe it!), to go through the metal detector barefoot, to get onto the place (you knew that is where we were heading, right), to change planes at a different airport (or course - you can't get anywhere from where we started!),to clear passport control (that is a hint for you!), to pick up our luggage, to hand our customs form to a woman, to get a taxi, to go through another metal detector (this time while wearing our shoes), to sign paperwork, and - finally, to get onto this big but not huge ship.
It was exhausting.
But, we are here and enjoying it so far. I just ate some hot french fries (Mom -they were right out of the oil hot!) and am blogging with you while Hubby relaxes.
Talk to you soon!
Trisha
Voice Update: Surprisingly good despite a lack of sleep (getting up early yesterday and last night dealing with nightmares - where did THEY come from????) and the stress of dealing with a LOT of people. I did some massage while on the plane but haven't been too good about my exercises. Well, I did walk this morning but didn't do the vocal exercises. Does talking to a lot of strangers make up for that?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Havest and a Trip
Hi All!
First of all - let me show you the tomato harvest from my little container garden of tomato plants - which is now under severe attack from spider mites and dying. Poor plants!
First of all - let me show you the tomato harvest from my little container garden of tomato plants - which is now under severe attack from spider mites and dying. Poor plants!
At least they are giving it their all! These were all from one day! I have two cherry tomato plants and one regular tomato plant. I currently have two "regular" tomatoes growing so it is a race between the mites and the ripening process. I still have TONS of cherry tomatoes ripening. It makes me feel like quite a farmer!
Now for my news. Hubby and I are going on a vacation! We will be gone for a while so, while I am going to try to blog during the trip, I may not be blogging everyday for a while.
PLEASE don't stop reading! I PROMISE I will be back before you know it and I will share pictures of my trip!
Okay - that sounded desperate. I don't mean to sound desperate. I just enjoy knowing you are out there and I love reading your comments. You are my blog friends. I will miss you!
I will also miss my cats but for them I have a cat sitter so I know they will be taken care of while we are gone. I couldn't find a blog sitter for you. I will worry about you. I hope you get enough food and water while I am gone . . .
Good news about the trip is I will have pictures and I will also have some new books to review since I will be reading on the plane to and from and at odd down times during the trip. Also- Hubby will be all relaxed and so will I!
So - until I write again - which will hopefully be soon if I can find computers to work on during our trip!
Trisha
Voice Update: Still holding steady. I did my massage while walking again this morning. I wish I could figure out why the right side of my throat is tender most of the time. Maybe the muscles are tighter on that side? I have also been reading outloud. Sometimes I feel like a little kid reading my way through a tough book. I have to slow myself down or I will forget and start reading silently (which is way faster but not what I need to do) and end up not talking! The cats are also enjoying my nasal and inhale voice as I wander around the house. The good thing is that they feel loved with all the attention!
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