Rusty's Final Alaskan Travel Log (part 12)
Rusty's Final Alaskan Travel Log (part 12)KWTX Blog Listing
Rusty's Final Alaskan Travel Log (part 12)
Topic Author: Rusty Garrett
Posted: 5:19 AM Aug 13, 2009
Replies Posted: 26 comments
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All good things must come to an end.  So goes this daily journal describing what for Ann and me was a trip of a lifetime. This amazing two week vacation has been shared by 47 individuals and couples, some of whom were at first strangers, now a group of somewhat homesick friends.

  
 
This twelfth day began like so many others, a gathering for breakfast and then a loading onto the motor coach for sights unseen. 
  
 
 
 
After less than an hour on the Alaskan highway with stunning views of Turnagain Arm, we pulled into a rest stop in the ski resort town of Girdwood, located south of Anchorage.   Everyone was eager to take in not only a great little bake shop, but a collection of flowers that would make any Texas gardener’s jaw drop!
  
Before boarding the motor coach, the ladies took in an on-sight jewelry shop specializing in Jade. Hellen Sullivan, who just happened to be celebrating a birthday today, took time to see what the counters had to offer!
 
 
  
Another stop along the beautiful stretch of Cook’s Inlet and Turnagain Sound, offered not only more amazing scenery, but a chance to see how cold those waters were. Our traveling friends included several natives of Minnesota who demonstrated how to enjoy a barefoot dip.  
  
Finally, it was back on the motor coach headed for our destination, the port town of Whittier, Alaska and a cruise on the protected waters of Prince William Sound. 
 
 
We arrived on the dock with a little time to spare before boarding our vessel, so we roamed the busy port with its fleet of pleasure and fishing boats and even took in a few gift shops. 
  
 
 
Soon it was time to board what is billed as “The Fastest and Most Luxurious Catamaran in Alaska…The Klondike Express.” This vessel would take its passengers on an afternoon cruise of 26 glaciers! Along the way, cameras were clicking as harbor seals, sea otters and even a pod of Dall Porpoises made appearances alongside our ship.
 
 
 
 
 
The highlights, of course, were the amazing glaciers which put us in awe as The Klondike Express glided through the pristine passages of Prince William Sound. We were so fortunate to actually see what is known as “calving” at one point. This is where the glacier’s thick ice sheets collapse into the cold waters below making an explosive sound!
 
Needless to say, our 14 day Alaskan experience was one that none of us will soon forget and the friendships we’ve made will be cherished for many years to come! Thanks for your many comments to this set of blog entries. I hope that many of you will someday follow in our footsteps and take in the breathtaking beauty that our 49th state has to offer!  

Rusty's Entire Alaskan Travel Blog

Part 1 - Seattle
Part 2 - Vancouver
Part 3 - “The Inside Passage”
Part 4 - Ketchikan
Part 5 - Juneau
Part 6 - The White Pass and Yukon Narrow Gauge
Part 7 - Canadian Yukon
Part 8 - Fairbanks
Part 9 - Panning for Gold
Part 10 - Denali
Part 11 - Mt. McKinley and Wasilla
Part 12 - Anchorage and Prince William Sound

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  • by Kristy Location: Belton on Oct 1, 2009 at 05:46 PM
    Rusty, loved the pictures and blog of your and Ann's trip to Alaska. In 2010 will there be another trip planned? My husband Jim and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary. We would like details where we could see all the wonder that you and Ann saw. We can't wait to see it ourselves. Thanks
  • by Shirley Location: Temple on Oct 1, 2009 at 07:49 AM
    Wish I had signed up to go with you. Reminds me of my time in Anchorage for the Mayors' Midnight Marathon. Liked the pictures of you and my friend Ann.l
  • by Ron and Barbara Thompson Location: Waller, Texas on Sep 21, 2009 at 12:57 PM
    Hi, We are friends with your daughter Debra and she provided the link to your blog. We just returned from a 2 `1/2 month foray into Canada and Alaska. We recognized many of the places that you visited. What a breathtaking place they are. We actually went up to the Arctic Circle and stood inside it. What an experience. Found out first hand how dangerous it can be on those gravel roads with those Hauler trucks coming at you at 70mph. My little Jeep would cringe. Lost my windshield and three head lights and two fog lights. In Canada had my radiator punctured by rocks and also my hose connection to the hydraulic oil cooler was broken and had to be repaired twice. Still it was a wonderful trip. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything. I took the 26 glacier cruise also. Those ice glaciers were something else. I might go back some day but I think I will fly up and rent someone else's vehicle to get destroyed. LOL. Glad you had such a great time. Regards, Ron and Barbara
  • by Harold Location: Flat Tx on Sep 12, 2009 at 09:56 AM
    The pictures you took are indeed breathtaking . THE FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL I didnt realize they grew flowers that beautiful up there. Glad to see you home to do the wheather.
  • by Loreta Wells Location: Killeen, Texas on Sep 11, 2009 at 07:32 PM
    I just had a chance to look at your Alaskan Journal and relived the wonderful trip all over again! Rusty, thank you for posting the photos! It was a wonderful trip with a bunch of very nice people that we will not soon forget. We are looking forward to another trip! Our best to you and Ann. The Wells
  • by Beatrice W. Thompson Location: Harker Heights, TX 76548 on Aug 26, 2009 at 10:41 PM
    Beatiful;looks like a trip to die for!!!!
  • by Richard Location: Gatesville on Aug 25, 2009 at 11:52 AM
    News 10 team sends him to Alaska to get us some cooler temperature and he returns with nothing more than some great pictures and a smile.
  • by Janice Location: Buffalo on Aug 23, 2009 at 04:28 PM
    Rusty and Ann, Thank you for inviting us to share your trip to Alaska. We had the trip of a lifetime and after reading all the comments, I am so glad you shared it with all your viewing area so they could feel that they were with us all the way. I also had friend and family that kept up with us and they really enjoyed it too. Wehad a wonderful group of travelers and our tour director, Tonya Carlson, was the greatest. Thanks Again!!!
  • by Linda & Sue Location: Rockdale on Aug 18, 2009 at 02:26 PM
    Rusty, We just wanted to thank you for all the work you did while on vacation. We enjoyed the trip so much and the blog made it possible for our family to travel with us. Everyone was great and we hope to see them again sometime.
  • by Bob & Hellen Sullivan Location: Harker Heights on Aug 16, 2009 at 12:10 PM
    Rusty it was great getting to know you and Ann during our wonderful vacation. Hope to do it again someday. The people on the trip are the greatest. You did a great job keeping everyone back here informed.
  • by Judy C Location: Harker Heights, TX on Aug 16, 2009 at 10:27 AM
    WOW! What a wonderful vacation. Rusty, you and Ann made it special for all of us on the trip with you. Thanks for all the memories and, most of all, new friendships.
  • by Lupe Location: Gatesville on Aug 15, 2009 at 07:30 AM
    Rusty, I might never go to Alaska, but I enjoyed every one of your pictures thanks for sharing your vacation with us. Welcome back.
  • by Enriqueta Location: Bruceville-eddy on Aug 14, 2009 at 04:55 PM
    Rusty, thank you for all the pictures and truly wonderful details of your trip. May you have a great homecoming.
  • by Heather Location: Hastings, MN on Aug 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
    Rusty, thank you for blogging your trip. I have been to Alaska and it is one of my most memorable vacations. I enjoyed all your pictures - it brought back great memories. Also, thank you for taking pictures of the other vacationers - it was great seeing pictures of my parents and their friends.
  • by Deborah Location: China Spring on Aug 14, 2009 at 10:44 AM
    Thanks for sharing your vacation with us. We enjoyed reading and seeing all the places you went to. Looks like fun! Welcome back to the hot month of August in Texas.
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