SATURDAY - DISEMBARK AT WHITTIER, OFF TO DENALI PARK We are extremely sad to leave this cruise and ship but all good things must come to an end. We disembarked early, picked up the rental car and headed to Anchorage. Since we had no plans, the boys decided we would head up to Denali Park and view Mt. McKinley. It was a wonderful time in the car together. We first stopped at an Alaskan Wildlife Rescue which housed injured or sick animals. It was disappointing and sad to see the wildlife but glad that some of them would be returned to the wild. We then began our journey to Denali park and the majestic Mt. McKinley, the highest point in north America. We were not disappointed. The mountain was majestic with its snow covered peak and Denali park covered 6 million acres. This wilderness was home to many animals where we did see a MOOSE!! We returned to Anchorage that evening and begin the process of checking into the airport and say our goodbyes to each other. This was am amazing trip for Danny, Kathy, Andy and I and we will never forget the beautiful things we witnessed. I feel so fortunate and blessed to have see MY FATHER'S WORLD, from this perspective. I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity. LYNN DANIELS End of Blog 06/09/2013

FRIDAY - COLLEGE FJORD, ALASAK We woke up to a beautiful warmer day as we creeped into Prince William Sound. We enjoyed time around the pool then retreated to the back of the ship and enjoyed the hot tub and the beautiful view!! It was around 5:30 p.m before we entered College Fjord and viewed the numerous glaciers. The largest Glacier was the Yale Glacier which measured 2 miles wide on the water front and ran 30 miles up the mountain. It was amazing and breathtaking. This tour of the glaciers lasted 3 hours. We retreated to our stateroom for a shower and dinner with Kathy and Andy. Another great day on the ship and viewing glaciers!!

THURSDAY - GLACIER BAY The view as we entered Glacier Bay was beyond description. The height of these mountains and size of the glaciers are thousands of feet high. Again, my inadequate words cannot express the beauty of God's creation. We first sited the Reid Glacier, followed by Lamplaugh Glacier and then headed into a small inlet which had a spectacular view of the John Hopkins Glacier. The captain kept the boat there for quite some time so that we could take in the view. Then the ship continued down to the mot magnificent view of the Margerie Glacier. This is one of the most photographed views of Alaska. This Glacier was monstrous with the edges hanging towering over the ocean. The Glaciers will lose their ice thru a process called Calving. We witnessed some of the most spectacular calving of the Margerie Glacier. WE watched as huge sized ice blocks fell off the edge of the glacier into the ocean. It sounded much like thunder as the glacier would move and put pressure on the edges of the ice. We returned to the ship and relaxed in the hot tub before dinner!! Life is good!!

SKAYWAY - We arrived at port early and had a quick breakfast before heading out for our glacier landing in a helicopter. We loved the people at Temsco Helicopter Co. that helped prepare Danny and I for our flight. We had to get quick safety instructions, be fitted with an orange flight vest and shoe covers for walking on the ice. The helicopter handled 6 adults plus the pilot. We boarded and I was placed in front with Danny behind me. It was a little scary and loud but we were given a head set to protect us from the noise plus to hear our pilot. The ride out over the port and over the mountains hiding the glacier are beyond description. We again are so amazed at the beauty of God's world surrounding us. The ride is approximately 20 minutes and the view is spectacular. We turn thru a valley and see the glacier which we are to land. The Meade Glacier is flat and easy to land upon We spent 40 minutes walking on the glacier with our guide as she described the history and present status of the receding glacier. WE all drank from a stream and the water was so pure and cold. I decided to select two rocks off the glacier to keep as a souvenir. The helicopter return to the port was again such a spectacular view. We hated to leave but our time was up!! We enjoyed walking the small town of Skagway and have a quick lunch and shop. We returned to the ship around 6:00 and relaxes before a wonderful dinner at Sabatinis Italian Restaurant with Kathy and Andy Such a fun and delicious meal!!

JUNEAU - Well, it is rainy and cloudy but we are stilled pumped up about our whale watching tour with Harv & Marv as our tour guide!! We were so pleased to see how nice and comfortable our boat was. The boat captain, Shaun, and naturalist, Ryanna, were amazing to us. We were not out very long before we sited a pod of Orca Whales. Apparently it is very rare to see Orcas and they were travelling fast up the coast line to feed. There were three brothers, a other and two babies that we followed. We were able to get amazing pictures up close and see the baby orca breach (jump out of water)!! AFter that we found some stellar sea lions perched up on some rocks bellowing and honking so very loud!! They were fun to watch. We then unexpectedly saw a mother humpback and her baby swimming in the same area. They were beautiful. We were unable to get a close to them according to law where we had to allow 100 feet between us. It was a amazing day and we all LOVED IT!!! We returned to the harbor and then boarded a bus which drove us to the mouth of the Mendenhall Glacier. This view was truly amazing. Another of God's handiworks!! We turned to town, did some shopping and stopped at the RED DOG SALOON. It was fun and interesting to say the least. Many ships in port that day and many visitors!! What a great day in Juneau!!.

Monday is here and we have arrived at the Ketchikan port around 5:30 a.m. We had another time change and the days are getting longer!!! The port is a quaint little town with beautiful homes towering over the town. We began our morning with breakfast in our stateroom and a quick visit with Kathy and Andy. They are renting a motorcycle to tour the town and parks. Danny and are decided to take a hike up the Bird Trail into a beautiful rainforest. The hike was a challenge but the views were worth it. We had a great view of the town, port, and float planes. We finished our hike and set out for an entertaining lumberjack show then met up with Kathy and Andy for lunch. We ate at the Seafood Bar and had amazing halibut and crabcake sandwiches. We had to return to the ship by 1:30 as our ship left the port around 2:00. Kathy and I had a wonderful massage which we loved then met the boys at the hot tub on the back of the ship. It was a wonderful afternoon. We then dressed warmly and met a group on the front of the ship for possible whale siting. It did not happen but it was fun looking. We had another wonderful meal with Kathy and Andy then went to play yet another Trivia game. We were off to bed as we have a long day tomorrow on our 4 hr whale watching tour!!!

Today is Sunday and we enjoyed breakfast in our stateroom and then tried to walk around the ship. The wind is blowing very hard and it is a challenge. We spent the morning visiting with Kathy and Andy in our rooms, then explored the ship. We went to a very informative meeting lead by a naturalist who educated us on Alaska and its wildlife. Tonight was formal night and we enjoyed a great dinner with Kathy and Andy in the Savoy Restaurant. The time changes again and we gain an hour tomorrow before disembarking onto Ketchikan. We are having a great time, meeting interesting people and eating too much food!!

Saturday morning is here and we have boarded the ship with Kathy and Andy. Our mini suites are wonderful and we are so excited to be on board. The ship is filled with many things to entertain us as we will be at sea the rest of today and tomorrow.

YEA!!!! KATHY AND ANDY HAVE ARRIVED. DAnny and I met them at The Sandbar Restaurant located in Granville Island. It was a wonderful setting on the marina and the seafood was delicious. We are so happy to finally be together and begin our journey to Alaska together. We, also just learned that this is Andy's first cruise!!!! Bon Voyage!!

Well, Danny and I flew out of Atlanta and arrived into VanCouver Thursday evening. We took a taxi to our hotel, Comfort Inn Suites, checked in and left to check out the city. We took the bus line to GRANVILLE ISLAND which is located underneath the Granville Bridge. This location is filled with restaurants, shopping and a wonderful Farmer's market, which we loved!! We found a nice restaurant called The CATS Social Club, had dinner and then returned to the hotel for some sleep. We woke up the next morning and set out to explore Stanley Park via bike riding. This was about a six mile bike ride around the Park and the views were wonderful. We explored the area called GAS TOWN, northern Van Couver, near the seaport. We had a wonderful lunch at the Black Frog and enjoyed strolling along the streets. Everyone we met was so friendly and helpful, especially when we needed directions. Tonight we await the arrival of Kathy and Andy and hope to have a nice dinner with them at the Sandbar located in GRANVILLE ISLAND. Danny and Andy plan to play golf tomorrow morning before we board the ship and begin our cruise to Alaska!!! More to come!!

Today is Monday, May 27, 2013 and Danny and I are beginning to packing process for our 10 day trip to Alaska with Kathy and Andy Winfield. We shall fly out of Atlanta Thursday morning and arrive in Van Couver Thursday afternoon. So excited and blessed to be taking this trip with Danny and my sister and her husband. This is definitely a trip off our bucket list!!