Celebrity Cruising

We didn't know we would be cruising with celebrities onboard. But, not long after boarding I saw TWO very famous people. Well ok, they aren't really THE ACTUAL famous ones, but they sure do look like them. During the course of the first day or two I was able to strategically and very non-stalker-like take pictures of both of them. Can you tell who I think they look like??

Here is the first: he looks so much like the real thing, but was on board with his wife and two children, which means he isn't who he looks like.

(I was able to take this picture without him noticing because it looked like I was taking pictures of our boat, which is right behind him. ha!)

Is this very nearly Josh Grobin or what?!

Then here is the second. Surely he's scoping out Alaska for his next movie....

(with all the amazing scenery around us going through the Tracy Arm, this guy didn't have any idea he too was in my viewfinder)

I think Steven Spielberg could have his own "stand in" here!

We continue to marvel at the AMAZING time we had, and continue plotting out our next trips. Our dear server Ruel made it home safe and sound to the Philippines despite the recent scary weather in that part of the world, where he will enjoy 3 months off ("a Honeymoon!" he said. lol.) Then he'll be aboard the Golden Princess for another 10 month tour. He was definitely a highlight for me! I can still hear the friendly, generous tone to his "YE - ES!!", which was his answer for pretty much* EVERYTHING!!

*we did have ONE "no" all week when Kurt's mom asked if there was any more toffee ice cream a day after it had been on the menu. I kid you not ~ that was the ONLY time he said no to our MANY MANY requests!

Just a fishin'

Since Maryhelen and 'the girls' were not with us, I thought I would begin with the amazing fishing trip. When they say it is a always bigger in Alaska, they weren't kidding. We met-up with our guide in Ketchikan early Tuesday morning.

This is Capt. Rowdy. He is from the Caldwell, Idaho area (just a coincidence). He was chartered through my sister Angela not through the cruise line and boy were we blessed. We couldn't have asked for a better charter, captain or boat. They were very accomodating with my dad and his wheelchair. Capt. Rowdy is retired and now spend his summers in Ketchikan fishing and taking charters, then spends his winters guiding hunters in Salmon, Idaho. What a life

This is leaving the harbor - the Star Princess - what a beautiful ship!

Our fearless Captain! Just kidding, it is Chris, my brother. He decided to do his best impression of Captain Nemo. Rowdy was great. He turned the boat over to us and spent his day teaching us fishing, he let us drive, let us bait, run the equipment, and catch all the fish. He ran the net and tried his best to keep-up with the catching! At one point, we had four poles with 'Fish On!" We had a great time catching salmon. After about two hours and 17 keepers, we decided to move and try our hand at halibut.

We didn't have any luck with the halibut, but we did catch an assortment of other bottom dwellers. This was the catch of the day. Rowdy thinks it was a hybrid mix of red snapper and rockfish, also maybe some spine-back. Definately a fish he had never seen. Chris also broke Rowdy's record books by catching the biggest red snapper he had ever seen. He figures it is probably over 100 years old. Red snapper is a delicacy, and really good eating. Chris also caught the only silver salmon for the day. When I get the pictures from Chris and David, I will get them published.

At the end of the 4+ hour fishing trip, we came back with quite a mix of fish. We will be eating fish for a while when we get these home.

We had a great day of fishing. The weather was perfect, best Ketchikan has seen in years (so they all told us), the fishing was great, and Rowdy was excellent! Couldn't have asked for a better trip. We were all thrilled, especially that my dad was able to go and caught his share of the fish. Chris made a comment that really hit home with us boys. He told dad that he was very happy to be there fishing with him, because some of his best memories growing-up were going fishing with dad and spending the day with him. There was a time that we thought we would never be able to go fishing with dad again. This was probably the highlight of my trip and I would guess Chris' too.

Alaska Isn't Little, But This Post Is

We are back from our FAB-U-LOUS cruise to Alaska and my great SIL has taken our pictures to compile everyone's and make copies so we all have everyone's everything (does that make sense?)

But I feel like a week is too long to wait for SOMETHING, so here's just a little bit ~

Yep! This is really happening! After three years, two babies, three (or four?) surgeries, broken bones and one cancellation, we are finally getting on the boat!!

Our name on the tag outside our stateroom:

The boys went fishing in Ketchikan and grandpa caught a big one

This was behind the front of the boat and where the "spa" was ~ grown ups only!

Kurt and his brother Chris at dinner our first night ~ you really could have as much as you could (or would!) eat! and boy did they...

lookin' good on the big boat

to finish for now, you'd often find Kurt doing this:

while I did this:

We had a great time and are staving off withdrawls with thoughts of Mexico in January of 2011 and Hawaii in February 2015.... we will see the world as cruisers!

more to come!