tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87214341324915052162024-02-19T03:35:18.342-08:00Pacific NW Travels and TailsTravel and adventures primarily in the Pacific Northwest written by a lifelong resident of Washington state. A special emphasis on places that are dog-friendly.Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-30885455231837932712016-11-04T12:01:00.001-07:002017-12-15T06:35:31.809-08:00An Evening in Victoria, BCThe last port of call on our <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-alaska-cruise-adventure.html" target="_blank">Alaska cruise</a> was a stop at beautiful Victoria, BC Canada on the final evening before our return to Seattle. We disembarked from the Westerdam as soon as possible after it docked at about 6pm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Customs Facility at the Ogden Point Cruise Terminal in Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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After a quick and easy trip through Canadian customs, we headed to the Victoria inner harbor and city center.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30VN3-fTwYEwxi1SOqcxsYZPdRse6GrmmKIxkiM4QQ-5bck5i3KS7a-W1t7wiJPS5MbYOg5j4rcQJRmSzMlJ7Q1fWCFdqw-dlhhLdQVG0CCMzTJAEoThmefhmotXIzf2F4gJS4PCkNoI/s1600/Ogden+Point+Breakwater+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30VN3-fTwYEwxi1SOqcxsYZPdRse6GrmmKIxkiM4QQ-5bck5i3KS7a-W1t7wiJPS5MbYOg5j4rcQJRmSzMlJ7Q1fWCFdqw-dlhhLdQVG0CCMzTJAEoThmefhmotXIzf2F4gJS4PCkNoI/s640/Ogden+Point+Breakwater+Sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal is in Victoria's "Outer Harbor" about a 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the "Inner Harbor" area of Victoria. We could have opted to take tour, bus or taxi, but since it was a fairly pleasant evening we decided to walk and take in the sights. The path initially took us away from the edge of the waterfront, but within a few minutes we arrived at the other side of the point at Fisherman's Wharf.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman's Wharf - Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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Although the wharf includes a marina, it is less a working fish dock and more like a houseboat community including numerous colorfully painted restaurants with many different ethnic cuisine choices. We didn't try anything to eat because we had just dined before leaving the ship, but the aromas wafting on the summer breeze were fantastic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You are here" maps along the Victoria waterfront</td></tr>
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Along the waterfront walk to Victoria's inner harbor from the Ogden Point Cruise Ship Terminal were signs with "you are here" maps which were helpful to keep from getting lost along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf8QTpNlsRt_mDpYOwgvHQlUn7-XwPCQGtdEbP3N4s2MTms4CcqCBMDn0BD-g2DcFGZZxljQrEInF6mfymYDEgg3lg62KP2vspc1UnR5TD7mE9fNN0klf6KFjyR8_uYZRWl0eJoN3ugg/s1600/Victoria+Water+taxi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf8QTpNlsRt_mDpYOwgvHQlUn7-XwPCQGtdEbP3N4s2MTms4CcqCBMDn0BD-g2DcFGZZxljQrEInF6mfymYDEgg3lg62KP2vspc1UnR5TD7mE9fNN0klf6KFjyR8_uYZRWl0eJoN3ugg/s640/Victoria+Water+taxi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tipsfortravellers/17647315283/in/photolist-a7LxLN-cpjQuy-okpoof-rBgLGY-tPWkNU-sTr71B-tQoN6v-txFvXW-tQoJwg-txFbvh-cpjh3W-fn4W6E-9dDD5E-5kA1-fkwiaE-6mjkKk-9Vzhzx-d7hfQN-ndAFjL-fkh9j2-cBkXRs-cBkWzm-fkh9Ce-rBnC2c-oAtxgA-fkhadR" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Water Taxis Victoria Canada by Gary Bembridge on Flickr -</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Creative Commons License 2.0</a></span></td></tr>
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When we arrived at Fisherman's Wharf, we considered taking one of the cute little water taxis the rest of the way into the inner harbor, but decided against that idea due to the weather conditions. Although it was sunny, it was a windy evening and after watching the tiny boats rolling and bobbing around it appeared to be a pretty rough ride.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houseboats in Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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As we continued along the walkway toward Victoria's inner harbor, I glanced back and took this photo with a view of the colorful houseboat community.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8rX-ppl5-N9vOR-fsIbOfywbjjPHkslc2DkXz8ktfkMS9mVyfby6KZakyZrmADq00zFblkG_nPEyhoXD3ALsCces9aMHrH3qGcUI_nfsMNk7WZilr1m6dU4wriJghcVbuNAOlrO0vOY/s1600/Victoria+Clipper+Terminal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8rX-ppl5-N9vOR-fsIbOfywbjjPHkslc2DkXz8ktfkMS9mVyfby6KZakyZrmADq00zFblkG_nPEyhoXD3ALsCces9aMHrH3qGcUI_nfsMNk7WZilr1m6dU4wriJghcVbuNAOlrO0vOY/s640/Victoria+Clipper+Terminal.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.clippervacations.com/?npoCode=310605" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victoria Clipper</a> dock in Victoria<br />
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As we continued to get closer to the city, we encountered docks that offer some of the other transportation options to Victoria for those who are not on a cruise ship to or from Alaska. The <a href="http://shrsl.com/p22u" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Victoria Clipper</a> is a fast and comfortable passenger-only ferry that offers service between Seattle and Victoria.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackball Ferry Dock Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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A short distance later we passed the <a href="https://www.cohoferry.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Blackball Ferry</a> dock which provides service for both passengers and motor vehicles on the <a href="https://www.cohoferry.com/MV-Coho" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MV Coho</a> between Port Angles, WA and Victoria.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGvaovxIRASRFMmwdb1Gb0xhGqUqtcrHbd4gvpibRmTJunY88O9QyX-B9stURY6QwWp_QucmMnv1OfNgTaJLQksIQQO-ODv6hWWqwqlKIBXZe5r6nNcd6nSQQNYJiQT8L-4tpY8mdU44/s1600/Horsedrawn+Carriage+Victoria%252C+BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGvaovxIRASRFMmwdb1Gb0xhGqUqtcrHbd4gvpibRmTJunY88O9QyX-B9stURY6QwWp_QucmMnv1OfNgTaJLQksIQQO-ODv6hWWqwqlKIBXZe5r6nNcd6nSQQNYJiQT8L-4tpY8mdU44/s640/Horsedrawn+Carriage+Victoria%252C+BC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horsedrawn Carriage in Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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As we neared the inner harbor area, we started to see some of the <a href="http://shrsl.com/?dosw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">horse drawn carriages</a> that provide a classic romantic way to tour the sights of the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pxsfvf2-XR1pBJ5ajx8hPcs7OxWTvcNoPMim91_NsESspD87DYRnzCZrPezPebjowWknbVsoCVrtvfaJOBxqyqy7dDBC68swHFkwxy6-26B_B-zTz9lfk52UeAV8YTXbyjyok_xIEdA/s1600/Welcome+to+Victoria+in+Flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pxsfvf2-XR1pBJ5ajx8hPcs7OxWTvcNoPMim91_NsESspD87DYRnzCZrPezPebjowWknbVsoCVrtvfaJOBxqyqy7dDBC68swHFkwxy6-26B_B-zTz9lfk52UeAV8YTXbyjyok_xIEdA/s640/Welcome+to+Victoria+in+Flowers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner Harbour Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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Since Victoria is on Vancouver Island without any connecting bridges to the mainland, most visitors arrive by sea including many smaller vessels that tie up at the docks in the inner harbor. So it is fitting that the Welcome to Victoria sign created with plantings of colorful flowers faces the harbor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdAKCyz67IWQ5fSU2W6wA08aM9pd6jjNPACXjtw12iv_GgwKHnSho0qPKr5WLYqcMEhdJXI0i6h5oVdWDAc-IbaDCbF00m5KO99aGGONbcaUSstXExQWLSTl2ztXyf_saRXUaYJiibZo/s1600/Totem+Pole+and+Parliament+building.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdAKCyz67IWQ5fSU2W6wA08aM9pd6jjNPACXjtw12iv_GgwKHnSho0qPKr5WLYqcMEhdJXI0i6h5oVdWDAc-IbaDCbF00m5KO99aGGONbcaUSstXExQWLSTl2ztXyf_saRXUaYJiibZo/s640/Totem+Pole+and+Parliament+building.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parliament Building Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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Directly across the street from the inner harbor are the beautiful British Columbia provincial legislative buildings. The buildings were designed by Francis Rattenbury and completed in 1897. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSKCMMk_i-qNkpdaxf_2zB5xkPJEtXSDqG1FpnfgahS1UvPHl40MvR8YH96r5S70QFH-327RkqkcJiAnxfltfVaySDderVjE4MSTIgZAGMqvptjRJFXPAa1HhQ0k1BYMkNcnkXLRQmb4/s1600/Bagpiper+in+Victoria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOSKCMMk_i-qNkpdaxf_2zB5xkPJEtXSDqG1FpnfgahS1UvPHl40MvR8YH96r5S70QFH-327RkqkcJiAnxfltfVaySDderVjE4MSTIgZAGMqvptjRJFXPAa1HhQ0k1BYMkNcnkXLRQmb4/s640/Bagpiper+in+Victoria.JPG" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piper in Victoria, BC</td></tr>
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Music from bagpipes is always part of the mix of sounds you can expect to hear in Victoria. Pipers are scattered around at various street corners in the central part of the city. They are always happy to pose for a photo and appreciate either a Canadian loonie or a US dollar as a tip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK_KPD0uHwiedehNc-VBjId6aoYxBAF7xQ49Pmp3pg0wq0BUjCYPEcApFlr4iRDOEUSau_od0eRdPB_STgcTYNbkGO037ClBI7igxw7zjZBkEN29b9Q_iWcwFvQq-tDxDLrYbysLLBYU/s1600/Empress+Hotel+Victoria%252C+BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK_KPD0uHwiedehNc-VBjId6aoYxBAF7xQ49Pmp3pg0wq0BUjCYPEcApFlr4iRDOEUSau_od0eRdPB_STgcTYNbkGO037ClBI7igxw7zjZBkEN29b9Q_iWcwFvQq-tDxDLrYbysLLBYU/s640/Empress+Hotel+Victoria%252C+BC.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g154945-d155472-Reviews-The_Fairmont_Empress-Victoria_Victoria_Capital_Regional_District_Vancouver_Island_Briti.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fairmont Empress Hotel</a> Victoria BC</td></tr>
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Victoria's most famous hotel, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g154945-d155472-Reviews-The_Fairmont_Empress-Victoria_Victoria_Capital_Regional_District_Vancouver_Island_Briti.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Empress</a>, was opened in 1908. It was built for the Canadian Pacific Railroad and is another building designed by Francis Rattenbury. It was added to the Canadian Register of Historic Places in 1980. During the summer months over 800 people per day come to enjoy the classic Victorian Tea served in the Tea Room. <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154945-d1990394-Reviews-Tea_at_the_Empress-Victoria_Victoria_Capital_Regional_District_Vancouver_Island_B.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tea at the Empress</a> is memorable, but not inexpensive and reservations usually need to be made several months in advance. Those stopping at Victoria as part of a cruise to Alaska can make reservations as a shore excursion through their cruise line.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobby of the Empress Hotel Victoria, BC Canada</td></tr>
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We opted to skip tea at the Empress on this visit, but did step inside to take a peek at the lobby area. Although the hotel has been refurbished several times, the grandeur of the past has been retained.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevator and mailbox inside the Empress Hotel Victoria, BC<br />
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Small details like this gorgeous antique mailbox are a delight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Lace Linen </td></tr>
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A display of Irish lace linen tea towels and napkins is another touch of finery from a bygone era.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Emily Carr Victoria British Columbia</td></tr>
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The gardens on the grounds of the Empress are beautiful for an evening stroll. Just outside the garden is a statue honoring Emily Carr (1871-1945), one of Canada's most famous artists, who was born and died in Victoria. As a person who loved and surrounded herself with animals her statue includes her pet monkey and one of her dogs. For those who would like more information, there are several <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=9d55af5f69d1fd4665263f91cf02ea14&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=books&keywords=Emily%20Carr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">books available about Emily Carr</a>. As the sun dropped to the edge of the horizon we decided to start our walk back to the ship.<br />
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-17625554670252876052016-01-29T13:54:00.000-08:002016-11-04T14:50:58.818-07:00Five Hours in Ketchikan, AK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Day 6 of our <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-alaska-cruise-adventure.html" target="_blank">Alaska Cruise</a>, the Westerdam docked in Ketchikan early in the morning for a brief 5 hour stop. With so many possible things to see and do it was difficult to decide how to spend the short amount of time we had available. Some of the attractions like a <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~b5wy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tour of the city and Totem Bight Park</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_751717272"></span></a> and the <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~b5wz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ketchikan Duck Tour</a> sounded interesting, but in our previous ports of call we had filled our days with tours, so we decided to spend our time in Ketchikan relaxed, flexible and at our own pace.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Welcome to Ketchikan" sign near the intersection of Mission Street and Front Street</td></tr>
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The ship was docked on Front Street near the intersection of Mission Street in a very convenient location for walking around town. The first thing we saw was the the iconic "Welcome to Ketchikan" sign right across the street from the pier. We wandered along the waterfront a short distance and stopped at the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau for a map. We then proceeded south on Front Street and which became Main Street and decided to stop and watch the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2016/01/great-alaskan-lumberjack-show-ketchikan.html" target="_blank">Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show</a>.<br />
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We had a great time at the show and afterwards we headed east to Stedman Street. As we walked along we enjoyed the sunny weather and watched the fishing boats coming and going out of the marina.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing boats at the docks in Ketchikan</td></tr>
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We turned right onto Stedman Street where we watched several people fishing from the bridge and the rocks below.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stedman Bridge, Ketchikan AK</td></tr>
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Looking down into the water as we crossed the Stedman Bridge, we could see numerous fish milling around in the clear water at the mouth of Ketchikan Creek. No wonder so many people were fishing and some were successfully catching fish, too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon below the Stedman Bridge in Ketchikan, AK</td></tr>
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After crossing the bridge we arrived at the entrance to Creek Street.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek Street Ketchikan Alaska</td></tr>
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This plaque at the street entrance says it all: "Where Fish and Fishermen Go Up the Creek to Spawn". Of course, it wasn't only fishermen who spent time on Creek Street. There were lumberjacks, miners, sailors and men with other occupations, too.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign at Creek Street in Ketchikan, AK</td></tr>
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Like most ports and frontier towns, Ketchikan had a large number of men coming into town seeking a drink, some fun and female companionship. The city was incorporated in 1900 and in 1903 the city passed an ordinance prohibiting prostitution within the city center, so all of the "working girls" in Ketchikan relocated to Creek Street creating a red light district just outside the city's "no prostitution" boundary. Probably the most famous madam of Creek Street was Dolly Arthur. Her home is just a short distance past the street entrance.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolly's House Ketchikan, AK</td></tr>
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Dolly was actually named Thelma Copeland when she was born in Idaho in 1888. She left home when she was 13 and eventually made her way to Ketchikan. She opened her business as a "sporting woman" in her home at 24 Creek Street in 1919. Prostitution was legal on Creek Street until 1954 so that was the year that Dolly retired. She died in 1975 and her home has been turned into a museum. I must confess that although I would have liked to, we did not go in for a look. There was a large crowd waiting in line and that wasn't how we wanted to spend our limited time. We also had our 12 year old granddaughter along and I wasn't sure how G-rated this attraction would be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek Street in Ketchikan</td></tr>
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Creek Street is not so much a street as a narrow winding boardwalk around buildings perched on pilings over the creek. Alcohol prohibition laws went into effect in the Alaska Territory in 1918, which only served to keep Creek Street the sinful entertainment hub of Ketchikan. The location made it easy for bootleggers to sneak their boats from the harbor, up the creek and under the buildings to secretly deliver their cargo to the bordellos, speakeasies and gambling rooms above. In case of a raid by local law enforcement, customers could escape up the hill into the forest via what was called "Married Man's Trail"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek Street boardwalk</td></tr>
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What was once a seedy and disreputable neighborhood has been preserved and was designated as a National Historic District in 2014. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antiques and collectibles for sale on Creek Street</td></tr>
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We wandered into many of the old buildings that are now art galleries and shops filled with local art, crafts, antiques and unique souvenirs like Alaska gold nuggets.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie's Place</td></tr>
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Scattered between the shop entrances. several signs are displayed with information about some of the buildings and the women who once lived there. We enjoy looking at antiques so we ended up spending quite a bit of time exploring the shops on Creek Street. We checked the time and noticed that we had less than 2 hours of time left before the ship's scheduled departure time, so we opted to start making our way back toward the ship. If we had more time I would have liked to hike up Married Man's Trail to check out the views along the way and <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/cruise/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g31030-d73113-Reviews-Cape_Fox_Lodge-Ketchikan_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cape Fox Lodge</a> at the top. As we made our way through the town, there were many more temptations awaiting us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ketchi Candies</td></tr>
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The aroma of chocolate was too much for my husband to resist so we stopped to buy some fudge at Ketchi Candies. Delicious!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon for sale in Kethikan, AK</td></tr>
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And since we were in the "Salmon Capital of the World" how could we not stop to purchase some Alaskan salmon to take home?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission Street, Ketchikan Alaska</td></tr>
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Since the ship was in sight and only a couple of blocks away, we did a little more window shopping on our way back to the dock.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rock, by Dave Rubin</td></tr>
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Before boarding the Westerdam, we stopped to admire a bronze sculpture on the dock. "The Rock", created by Dave Rubin, honors Ketchikan's past with seven statues, each representing significant people in the city's history. The figures include local Tlingit leader, Chief Johnson, a fisherman, a logger, a pilot, a native Alaskan woman, a miner and a woman carrying a suitcase dressed in the style of the 1890s (perhaps some of the madams?).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Ketchikan, AK</td></tr>
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After boarding, it wasn't long before the Westerdam departed the dock heading south to our next destination on our <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-alaska-cruise-adventure.html" target="_blank">Alaska Cruis</a>e, Victoria, BC.</div>
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We are linked up with <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/waiheke-island-beaches/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a>, <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/amazing-scenery-ilkley-moor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Wanderlust</a> and <a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/20-amazing-photos-hawaii/#more-16714" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a> where you will find more great travel adventures!</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/waiheke-island-beaches/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/amazing-scenery-ilkley-moor/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Travel Notes & Beyond"><img alt="Travel Notes & Beyond" height="320" src="https://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wekpost1-e1432530947416.jpg" style="border: none;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/20-amazing-photos-hawaii/#more-16714" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA55.342222199999988 -131.6461110999999855.306106699999987 -131.72679209999998 55.378337699999989 -131.5654301tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-44418170132733847482016-01-14T12:43:00.001-08:002016-01-29T14:03:06.226-08:00Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Ketchikan, AKThe third port-of-call on our <span id="goog_739204800"></span><a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/08/an-alaska-cruise-adventure.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alaska Cruise<span id="goog_739204801"></span> </a>was Ketchikan. For the first 5 days of our cruise we had chosen activities that focused on educational topics like Alaskan wildlife, glaciers, Russian and Native Alaskan culture. For our stop in Ketchikan we decided it was time to have some light-hearted entertainment so we signed up to go see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqByy0w-6V7kSVZRw276qRlyoXIWNEmcAobDvxOZHSg7Dq1SyAwVvqSIii2owaXkOGOlBWfBYghw8TnNx8UoYMdd5wHBlPwg1I8BduGF5y73rFod63Y2s5_rupYkKJylyZkwAy8_cFbc/s1600/Entrance+to+the+Great+Alaskan+Lumberjack+Show.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqByy0w-6V7kSVZRw276qRlyoXIWNEmcAobDvxOZHSg7Dq1SyAwVvqSIii2owaXkOGOlBWfBYghw8TnNx8UoYMdd5wHBlPwg1I8BduGF5y73rFod63Y2s5_rupYkKJylyZkwAy8_cFbc/s640/Entrance+to+the+Great+Alaskan+Lumberjack+Show.JPG" width="628" /></a></div>
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The Westerdam was docked near the intersection of Front Street and Mission Street, a short distance from the show, so we enjoyed the sunny morning as we walked a few blocks to the entrance.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m28!1m12!1m3!1d4537.746751815892!2d-131.65115583708496!3d55.34275716078242!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m13!3e2!4m5!1s0x540c2505b5adec69%3A0x732aa8b958d77528!2sFront+St+%26+Mission+St%2C+Ketchikan%2C+AK+99901!3m2!1d55.3412315!2d-131.6468758!4m5!1s0x540c2504fd1b3f4d%3A0x71f10502bfe6f085!2sGreat+Alaskan+Lumberjack+Show%2C+Spruce+Mill+Way%2C+Ketchikan%2C+AK!3m2!1d55.340275!2d-131.643205!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1452435522968" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe><br /></div>
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After purchasing our ticket, we entered the venue that has been built to look like a logging camp.<br />
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As we entered we were greeted by two of the friendly cast of the show including the MC and one of the lumberjack competitors.<br />
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We found great seats near the center of the stage. Seating for the audience is heated and under a roof so even on a cold rainy day it would be comfortable and dry.<br />
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The show began with our MC, "Shortstack", introducing the teams and explaining the rules of the competition. Two rival logging camps, one from the US and the other from nearby Canada would be competing against each other in a variety of lumberjack skills. The audience was divided in half by seating area and each was assigned as the cheering section for one of the teams. Everyone was urged to be vocal in both supporting their team and jeering their opponent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbaQQlsXaEClD6Ph74DyZv7Gvkos5cjNxNX-NeiBmu6w0r5fXJV9CY047jpsZO2hNZqGSOWh6NqlikVuQ0ncaRYOuuUm9ZQiJXwQhmIBA9SIbXJ73Rkid1N_CQeRKH7sfaQ0xgfcczGI/s1600/Great+Alaskan+Lumberjack+saw+competition.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbaQQlsXaEClD6Ph74DyZv7Gvkos5cjNxNX-NeiBmu6w0r5fXJV9CY047jpsZO2hNZqGSOWh6NqlikVuQ0ncaRYOuuUm9ZQiJXwQhmIBA9SIbXJ73Rkid1N_CQeRKH7sfaQ0xgfcczGI/s640/Great+Alaskan+Lumberjack+saw+competition.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Members of the two teams hurled insults at each other while performing traditional logging skills with axes, saws and chainsaws as quickly as possible to win the event.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltL2r1VCmJXni2d0oCZgvmpLd1O_wQ2AlCksSx713L8SOOiuGnX3Q1eU5YLk_lkvAhoRJQLQljuXiz117p-ActJlMwqTAP5c_58gL3Vy3ULTdPjyb4kZJZu2i1dLmyjFzbDSj7AXYFss/s1600/Lumberjack+show+fisticuffs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltL2r1VCmJXni2d0oCZgvmpLd1O_wQ2AlCksSx713L8SOOiuGnX3Q1eU5YLk_lkvAhoRJQLQljuXiz117p-ActJlMwqTAP5c_58gL3Vy3ULTdPjyb4kZJZu2i1dLmyjFzbDSj7AXYFss/s640/Lumberjack+show+fisticuffs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The athletes were also good actors as they occasionally dramatized their rivalry with fisticuffs to the amusement of the crowd.<br />
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The speed climb up the pole was one of the most impressive events. The log rolling was another favorite, with plenty of opportunity for pranks by both teams which caused roars of cheers, boos and laughter from the audience when one of the competitors fell into the water.<br />
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My still photos don't do the show justice, so I found this short video clip that gives a little better idea of what we experienced.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tTPMhsdrcBE" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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All too quickly the 6o minute show was over. In addition to being great kid-friendly entertainment, it turned out to be educational as well by illustrating the strength and skills that were required by lumberjacks. In my next entry, I'll be sharing more of our <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2016/01/five-hours-in-ketchikan-ak.html" target="_blank">adventures in Ketchikan including famous Creek Street.</a><br />
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We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/weekend-wanderlust/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust</a>, and <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/far-north-restaurants/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a> for more great travel adventures! </h3>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA55.342222199999988 -131.6461110999999855.306105699999989 -131.72679209999998 55.378338699999986 -131.5654301tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-28399266892346132202015-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:002017-12-15T06:26:55.794-08:00The USS Arizona MemorialAs December 7th rolls around each year, I am reminded of my visits to the USS Arizona Memorial. Although I was not yet born in 1941 and have no personal acquaintance with anyone who was there that day, it is still a very moving experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexHgU5XXBNB9n4YMmbABaHI4YLuNMwICGYZW-glmXH1Y539dBlzL55EeI7U66G0EKZ7XKqNIi-cxp-RqcOzf2eafPrMJzYK4ui_7IqQ4b_RTc5FwaDDP0NX1HEs96IJE1QH8I6gX75Lc/s1600/USS_Arizona_Memorial_%2528aerial_view%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexHgU5XXBNB9n4YMmbABaHI4YLuNMwICGYZW-glmXH1Y539dBlzL55EeI7U66G0EKZ7XKqNIi-cxp-RqcOzf2eafPrMJzYK4ui_7IqQ4b_RTc5FwaDDP0NX1HEs96IJE1QH8I6gX75Lc/s640/USS_Arizona_Memorial_%2528aerial_view%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Arizona_Memorial#/media/File:USS_Arizona_Memorial_(aerial_view).jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">USS Arizona Memorial (aerial view) by DoD photo by: PH3(AW/SW) JAYME PASTORIC, USN, Licensed under Public Domain via Wikipedia Commons</a></td></tr>
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The Navy had some very specific requirements for the memorial. It was not allowed to actually touch the Arizona, it was required to be able to handle 200 people at a time and look like a bridge. Although that may sound like a daunting task, there were several designs submitted. The one chosen was the work of Honolulu architect, Alfred Preis.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Arizona Memorial</td></tr>
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Preis explained the shape with the lower height in the middle as being symbolic of the attack on Pearl Harbor as a low point in US history with higher points at the ends before and after. The design was not without critics. Some described it as looking like a "squashed milk carton". I must confess, I find the exterior of the memorial rather ugly, but I have never really appreciated the architectural style of the 50s and 60s. The construction of the memorial was completed in 1961 and it was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1962.<br />
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The USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center are components of the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/valr/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument</a> which is managed by the National Park Service. Tours are free. Several thousand tickets are available each morning starting at 7:30 am at the visitor center on a first come, first served basis. Since there are up to 2 million visitors per year, tickets can go quickly. Tours start every 15 minutes and tickets are stamped with a specific tour time. There is also an <a href="http://www.recreation.gov/showPage.do;jsessionid=2890996BF0BF2F020EB585E8D99BB7A3.awolvprodweb08?name=landing&landing=/htm/pearlharbor/home.jsp&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72369" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">online ticket reservation system</a> in place for a limited number of tickets that can be purchased up to a day before the scheduled tour. The reservation system charges a small service fee (currently $1.50) for processing. To enhance the experience, headsets with a recorded narration can be rented and reserved.<br />
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I am typically an early bird, so I have always just arrived early in the morning and have never had a problem getting a ticket but the reservation system is a nice option if you aren't an early riser or have a tight schedule and want to make sure you won't be disappointed. An even easier option is to <a href="http://shrsl.com/p22b" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sign up for a tour</a> that includes your ticket and round-trip transportation to the memorial from your Honolulu hotel.<br />
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There are some interpretive displays in the visitor center, but it was crowded and our tour was scheduled to begin so I didn't take any photos. The tour begins in the visitor center theater with a 20 minute film about the Pearl Harbor attack.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy boat ferrying visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial</td></tr>
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After watching the film, we were directed to the dock where US Navy boats ferry visitors to and from the memorial. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes which allows time for some contemplation that I think would be missed if the memorial were attached to the land by a bridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the USS Arizona Memorial</td></tr>
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The boat docks at the memorial and a walkway leads to the entrance with time allotted for a 20 minute visit. The memorial is divided into three parts, the Entry Room, the Assembly Room and the Shrine Room. Once inside, I appreciated the simplicity of the memorial design better. The entry room features the flags from US States. Although technically only a memorial to those who lost their lives on the Arizona, it has become a symbol to honor all who lost their lives as a result of the attack that day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Arizona Gun Turret #3</td></tr>
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The Assembly room is an open air structure with openings where the remains of the ship can be viewed and the design also permits people to throw flowers into the water to honor the 1,177 crew members who died. After almost 75 years, oil, sometimes referred to as "the Arizona's tears" can still be seen floating to the surface from the ship.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhM_RVLjhzUh-fmYMJqT-kMKaThQXquiRvmBRhdPL2gSo3J0cwbmiaUuhGYSS-VUrPwQUe8tnVWBSh6FZoku4dHGYWvdNROYJZsViX_bb6WRpcpNIzKPefIRJ1Swbck_BdOiFPAhC0I0/s1600/USS+Arizona+-+Memorial+Wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhM_RVLjhzUh-fmYMJqT-kMKaThQXquiRvmBRhdPL2gSo3J0cwbmiaUuhGYSS-VUrPwQUe8tnVWBSh6FZoku4dHGYWvdNROYJZsViX_bb6WRpcpNIzKPefIRJ1Swbck_BdOiFPAhC0I0/s640/USS+Arizona+-+Memorial+Wall.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The last area is the Shrine Room that features a simple marble wall engraved with the names of every sailor and marine from the USS Arizona that died as the result of the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Like the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, the simple, unadorned design focuses the attention of visitors where it belongs, on the names of those who lost their lives. Contrary to a popular misconception, the Arizona is not still considered an active navy ship. It was decommissioned on December 1, 1942, but it has been designated as a US Military Cemetery. The flag flying above the memorial is attached to the broken main mast of the ship. All of the survivors who were stationed on the Arizona at the time the attack can request to have their ashes interred on the ship with their shipmates. Several have elected to do so and US Navy divers have delivered their ashes to gun turret #4 and then their names are listed on a separate plaque. Below is a short video about one of these internment ceremonies.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MgE2KiPd3xg" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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As of today, only 7 survivors are still alive. For anyone interested in World War II, there are several other related attractions at Pearl Harbor including the Pacific Aviation Museum, the USS Bowfin and Submarine Museum and the USS Missouri. These other exhibits charge entrance fees because they are owned and or managed by non-profit organizations. There are <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~aoca" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pearl Harbor tour packages</a> that offer transportation and entrance fees to all of the Pearl Harbor exhibits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6sFNsxXS8W8i98VHORY9TfDrVvT5efSlpesfkN_2eTIBUUpIXNAwN39NgDJUwC4sTtYnx-HEvfgJPjjmAWSKJukZSedCbVQ7xEMnec2JKAFADVZRFhb6BVNvK7dWM_Yj0ESxlk2vFJc/s1600/USS+Missouri+from+the+Arizona.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6sFNsxXS8W8i98VHORY9TfDrVvT5efSlpesfkN_2eTIBUUpIXNAwN39NgDJUwC4sTtYnx-HEvfgJPjjmAWSKJukZSedCbVQ7xEMnec2JKAFADVZRFhb6BVNvK7dWM_Yj0ESxlk2vFJc/s640/USS+Missouri+from+the+Arizona.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">USS Missouri</td></tr>
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I think it is appropriate that ships representing both the beginning and the end of the World War II in the Pacific are a short distance from each other. The USS Missouri, the ship where the peace treaty between the US and Japan was signed, can be seen from the Arizona Memorial as we boarded the boat back to the shore.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/mexico-restaurant/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a>, <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/historic-st-charles/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust</a> and The <a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekly Postcard</a> for more great travel adventures!</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/mexico-restaurant/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-81639801777535162342015-11-27T04:50:00.004-08:002015-11-27T12:24:22.563-08:00A Short Walking Tour of Sitka, AK<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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After our five hour excursion which included a <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-otter-like-this-excursion-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">sea otter and wildlife quest</a> on a boat, a visit to the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-alaska-raptor-center-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">Alaska Raptor Center</a> and a stop at the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/fortress-of-bear-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">Fortress of the Bear</a>, our tour bus returned us to the pier where the Westerdam's lifeboats were shuttling people back to the ship. Since we had about 2 hours before the ship was scheduled to depart, we decided to take about an hour to walk around and see a few sights in Sitka.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjBboIXOvTMRTbGJBCMjZMbEXbFC8Ryz4Ytilnyvft3Di9xZGkhUCPg7ZnlYjg81Dajd-ptJRk7ywebcx0bIfkWl-WZ58cQ0pVVspHDBeELJvX1p1yKA8T6rSajmPOwrVNdEr_QmWh5Q/s1600/Welcome+to+Sitka+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjBboIXOvTMRTbGJBCMjZMbEXbFC8Ryz4Ytilnyvft3Di9xZGkhUCPg7ZnlYjg81Dajd-ptJRk7ywebcx0bIfkWl-WZ58cQ0pVVspHDBeELJvX1p1yKA8T6rSajmPOwrVNdEr_QmWh5Q/s640/Welcome+to+Sitka+Sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Sitka Sign<br />
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Totem Square</h2>
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We walked a short distance to Lincoln Street where we found Sitka's Totem Square and Pioneer Home. Native Alaskan totem poles tell a story and the creation of the Baranov Totem in Totem Square was proposed in 1940 by a local member of the Tlingits to tell the story of the history of the area up to the arrival of Alexander Baronov, the head of the Russian-American Company in North America and the first governor of Russian Alaska. A sign next to the pole provides the information about the meaning of each of the symbols in the story.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhSXSUFCSBK3L5pKWWt1PPL0_-Iu1HZaj9czOHz8vrNyREzz2bMgMsP_IFfZgKsOoWsFfaj6cswGLf8XPa0NQUCwun7W-XNN1_5a7b2Ccg3vLFsf4s34My-YN4AUayKm2uu7yIci3geo/s1600/Sitka+Totem+Square+and+Pioneer+Home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhSXSUFCSBK3L5pKWWt1PPL0_-Iu1HZaj9czOHz8vrNyREzz2bMgMsP_IFfZgKsOoWsFfaj6cswGLf8XPa0NQUCwun7W-XNN1_5a7b2Ccg3vLFsf4s34My-YN4AUayKm2uu7yIci3geo/s640/Sitka+Totem+Square+and+Pioneer+Home.JPG" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totem Square and the Pioneer Home - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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Like many monuments, the Baronov Totem Pole is not without controversy. When the project was proposed, it was intended that it would be completed by local craftsman in the Sitka area to recognize them as well provide them income from wages. In the Alaskan Native culture it is also customary for a tribe and clan to own their own symbols and stories told in a totem. The pole was designed by a local Tlingit, but by the time the project was approved, no local carvers were immediately available. In violation of this custom, instead of delaying the project until a local craftsman was available, the US Forest Service awarded the contract for the totem to be created in Wrangell and it was installed in Totem Square on March 8, 1942. In 1973, the ownership of the pole was transferred from the US Government to the State of Alaska and maintained by the Pioneer Home. With age, the pole deteriorated and a debate over whether to replace it or repair it continued for several years. In 2010 the pole was removed due to safety concerns and it was decided to proceed with repairing the pole. Tommy Joseph, a Tlingit master carver who lives in Sitka restored the pole and it was re-installed in 2011.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddwo1MmpqHNbG5gY_LUbf7M0SpUKrWrUpaNSBxwVsCcJASsWpyqqYtGlg9-1jDFepqt5if97kqCpyWHj1B6m-6NBClmZBaodNnAEnK7wGBbl-uj-zO0iXdMpIh8r4d6ZG4VieSqitoeg/s1600/Baronov+Totem+Pole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddwo1MmpqHNbG5gY_LUbf7M0SpUKrWrUpaNSBxwVsCcJASsWpyqqYtGlg9-1jDFepqt5if97kqCpyWHj1B6m-6NBClmZBaodNnAEnK7wGBbl-uj-zO0iXdMpIh8r4d6ZG4VieSqitoeg/s640/Baronov+Totem+Pole.JPG" width="102" /></a></div>
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The top of the pole is a depiction of Alexander Baranov.<br />
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The bear is the symbol of Russia.<br />
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The third figure from the top represents Katlian, the military leader of the Tlingit Kiks.adi clan who fought against the Russians forcing Baronov to negotiate a peace treaty.<br />
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The Raven with the eagle crest under its beak is a symbol of the Raven branch of Tlingit tribes of which the Kiks.adi of the Sitka area belongs and the eagle represents the Kaagwaantaan, the Sitka area clan that is a part of the Eagle Branch of Tlingits. These crests are similar to heraldic crests or coats of arms used in Europe.<br />
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The double-headed eagle depicts the bronze eagle medallion presented by Barnov to the leader of the Kiks.adi as a peace offering after they reached an agreement to end their conflict.<br />
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The brown bear represents the Kaagwaantaan clan and and the frog is a symbol of both the the Kiks.adi clan and the Kaagwaantaan clan.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Pioneer Home</h2>
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The Pioneer Home was built in 1934 at the site of a former army barracks by the State of Alaska as a home for elderly Alaskans. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQg7vw5Ho0PG11TYTwmivU2XNi2jhSI0HmSzr_dYnXD26bayxd2c-BZBOAbHTtcDplghEuzfLtmWXPB0agk7TQj9mIM0S0uDcBzn8RZTpoLXlqRibComa6ZOAd0EN2rktBQMvRQwM1Ac/s1600/Pioneer+Home+-+Sitka%252C+AK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQg7vw5Ho0PG11TYTwmivU2XNi2jhSI0HmSzr_dYnXD26bayxd2c-BZBOAbHTtcDplghEuzfLtmWXPB0agk7TQj9mIM0S0uDcBzn8RZTpoLXlqRibComa6ZOAd0EN2rktBQMvRQwM1Ac/s640/Pioneer+Home+-+Sitka%252C+AK.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pioneer Home - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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Over the subsequent decades it has been upgraded and renovated. Currently it can provide housing for up to 75, some of whom live independently and others who require varying levels of assisted living or more intensive 24 hour care for Alzheimer's or other similar conditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReSn3tmYw2s19co7MjflSQQuxzOJ7hAaS1u5hb2fGdPe_sKUxfb2iSreApKdxHaIYaJ_H4CyMpJXBepgRacIAY5Xc8jGwJYqT9ZoupBeNmBG2szt1BKfq1aSglbotRLa9Ee4VK9pCM48/s1600/Lincoln+Street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReSn3tmYw2s19co7MjflSQQuxzOJ7hAaS1u5hb2fGdPe_sKUxfb2iSreApKdxHaIYaJ_H4CyMpJXBepgRacIAY5Xc8jGwJYqT9ZoupBeNmBG2szt1BKfq1aSglbotRLa9Ee4VK9pCM48/s640/Lincoln+Street.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lincoln Street - Sitka, Alaska</td></tr>
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Another sprinkle of rain started (and left drops on my camera lens) as we walked past the shops on Lincoln Street on our way to our next destination, St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRFf-Y9zNzxG5nQNy-M_y1z0HncXFSI03AkUMCmq0EKoanr6pvpo4jTGE8IBGLT6eUWHftWEzQ7GqTNehsG52WXl22QC__TbwOP1r_j3v8zIEaJgLnePFi4hoOIiGRb512t9kUPVAkks/s1600/St.+Michael%2527s+Russian+Orthodox+Cathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRFf-Y9zNzxG5nQNy-M_y1z0HncXFSI03AkUMCmq0EKoanr6pvpo4jTGE8IBGLT6eUWHftWEzQ7GqTNehsG52WXl22QC__TbwOP1r_j3v8zIEaJgLnePFi4hoOIiGRb512t9kUPVAkks/s640/St.+Michael%2527s+Russian+Orthodox+Cathedral.JPG" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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The 94 Russian Orthodox Churches that exist today in Alaska are a reminder that this land once belonged to Russia. St. Innocent Veniaminov, the first Russian Bishop in North America established St. Michael's Parish in 1844. The cathedral was completed in 1848, making it the first Russian Orthodox Cathedral in North America. The Russians initially named the town of Sitka, "New Archangel" in honor of St. Michael, the archangel. The cathedral was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1962. The original cathedral building was destroyed in a fire in 1966, but fortunately nearly all of the icons and other treasures were saved. In 1976 a replica of the original cathedral was rebuilt using the original blueprints. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Xb0CGrxQkq2inRjPl2xncUp84WXshB4G16AY4cDJi3VXW19yf5wcwKAQ7KEbQiFWZT-LYYcMfG8QIxtQAre6E121jw0bhKccyErpq9wGFJvSX09fQhZaCEMEWOJTzR2C9UtlKohu9A/s1600/Bishop%2527s+Cathedra+Throne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7Xb0CGrxQkq2inRjPl2xncUp84WXshB4G16AY4cDJi3VXW19yf5wcwKAQ7KEbQiFWZT-LYYcMfG8QIxtQAre6E121jw0bhKccyErpq9wGFJvSX09fQhZaCEMEWOJTzR2C9UtlKohu9A/s640/Bishop%2527s+Cathedra+Throne.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bishop's Cathedra Throne</td></tr>
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Upon entering the cathedral, the first item on display is the "Bishop's Throne" which was hand-carved by St. Innocent Veniaminov.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2V-OTIezEG4S-_JrSilEH6kSrQv4iTIWtSwACfbiTEqCUEeRMjM740XPxCzzpoFgcKJY4flW-HiM0gytvgRU_FFexIvYI888mudAzSuAoq7FNnAYXb7bxWpsu-wpyIOmwyWXxTLkX98/s1600/st+michael%2527s+pulpit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2V-OTIezEG4S-_JrSilEH6kSrQv4iTIWtSwACfbiTEqCUEeRMjM740XPxCzzpoFgcKJY4flW-HiM0gytvgRU_FFexIvYI888mudAzSuAoq7FNnAYXb7bxWpsu-wpyIOmwyWXxTLkX98/s640/st+michael%2527s+pulpit.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archangel Michael with the Ikonostasis at St. Michael's Cathedral</td></tr>
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Further into the nave is the bishop's pulpit and beyond is the sanctuary. Separating the two areas is the Ikonstasis decorated with icons saved from the fire that destroyed the original cathedral. The beautiful chandeliers were also rescued from the fire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpeZNf-GhqwM0cMcGZYOiWLXlxM2EclIj7_bGPFceox5ZEEsMGuqVh5IS-MGHOPytFXlva1lhG4K1Ao3x5Pfke6wwKdx-1ITKdmX8WS_NHyp23QPXg4j5kpmhkBFESGzlRbm_NQs0lew/s1600/St+Michaels+icons+and+dome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpeZNf-GhqwM0cMcGZYOiWLXlxM2EclIj7_bGPFceox5ZEEsMGuqVh5IS-MGHOPytFXlva1lhG4K1Ao3x5Pfke6wwKdx-1ITKdmX8WS_NHyp23QPXg4j5kpmhkBFESGzlRbm_NQs0lew/s640/St+Michaels+icons+and+dome.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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Most of the icons were donated by wealthy patrons in Russia and some date back to the 1700s.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IO17R-5aJOipOzvGIgH29aSexK3LM0_vV7ZA0bbTnid9j9dIOA2Y8vlqFdyXl4ZLCm0irMomSQLhkUInHkIFQlahhYsuzm2VfIe2aL12Exr0lzSOHYbM3ZsIHSG_qXfVXLq1FkuSCQY/s1600/Borovikovsky+Icons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IO17R-5aJOipOzvGIgH29aSexK3LM0_vV7ZA0bbTnid9j9dIOA2Y8vlqFdyXl4ZLCm0irMomSQLhkUInHkIFQlahhYsuzm2VfIe2aL12Exr0lzSOHYbM3ZsIHSG_qXfVXLq1FkuSCQY/s640/Borovikovsky+Icons.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vladimir Borovikovsky icons at St. Michael's Cathedral</td></tr>
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On the left side of the cathedral are two icons created by Russian icon artist Vladimir Lukich Borovikovsky. To the right of the door is the <i>Christ Pantocrato</i>r icon and on the left is the famous, <i>Our Lady of Sitka</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJNR31F8fnVAgSnMsOJEekoiw_gJo5AlP2BFe_o9Gu8yruoWD_PCd_JeWGq-eUlatLNpUUt5qkICC66o4ppOvE_3BfQQygQxmmJbUE4YDVcNAZpdG694RitKGSecgobZJj5Z-VtsdQDw/s1600/Our+Lady+of+Sitka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJNR31F8fnVAgSnMsOJEekoiw_gJo5AlP2BFe_o9Gu8yruoWD_PCd_JeWGq-eUlatLNpUUt5qkICC66o4ppOvE_3BfQQygQxmmJbUE4YDVcNAZpdG694RitKGSecgobZJj5Z-VtsdQDw/s640/Our+Lady+of+Sitka.JPG" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Sitka Icon</td></tr>
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<i>Our Lady of Sitka, </i>also referred to as the "Sitka Madonna" was purchased with funds donated by workers of the Russian-American Company and is credited with healings. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGYcVJrbg-eQlOqnN2hQa2Eh1raMzjSNfD1IvHOBneDa7nann7h8461qOlEaUzL9TuAPjHbwjzP6mr9pWsnyZCLBI_Hlct5hyitzFSn1nBRMEtkPTJvqmuLU43SLlKNgiHiTdkZAsiA/s1600/dome+of+st+michaels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtGYcVJrbg-eQlOqnN2hQa2Eh1raMzjSNfD1IvHOBneDa7nann7h8461qOlEaUzL9TuAPjHbwjzP6mr9pWsnyZCLBI_Hlct5hyitzFSn1nBRMEtkPTJvqmuLU43SLlKNgiHiTdkZAsiA/s640/dome+of+st+michaels.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the dome of St. Michael's Cathedral - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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There were many more treasures on display, but our time ashore was nearly over. On the way out I stopped to take a photo of the inside of the cathedral domed ceiling above the nave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak7wRfx_YWj91Q0ScRBG9zoU8EeL3wKjL5qwUOWOXJPqylhSVmo36Q1TSdqj2jKcMW4xjEz1d-kBATblcuK-zFQ6vl1GcTKSeOXf4ioffWyrXeeIPxnJcX750WnvFjEyRN7VHcEnHZek/s1600/Michaels+Church+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjak7wRfx_YWj91Q0ScRBG9zoU8EeL3wKjL5qwUOWOXJPqylhSVmo36Q1TSdqj2jKcMW4xjEz1d-kBATblcuK-zFQ6vl1GcTKSeOXf4ioffWyrXeeIPxnJcX750WnvFjEyRN7VHcEnHZek/s640/Michaels+Church+side.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view of St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral</td></tr>
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Walking around to the the south side of the building gives a view of the cathedral and the exterior of the dome that is not visible from the front entrance. I would have liked to have visited the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d318399-Reviews-Russian_Bishop_s_House-Sitka_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bishop's House</a> nearby, but ran out of time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqrKehDIk4vAv9K8C2qPGVUVy-SGuYBgYMJ9v469HH_SkowYTRdKnqLJ2jspHzmSA9vVgOq2b3uWhaWsGRvzw7IBQBrnZCz0XhLZFM0XNvbPiFvxgwWYS_1sCVBzuUb2vHasKqE1jn5k/s1600/Lincoln+Street+-+Sitka+Alaska.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqrKehDIk4vAv9K8C2qPGVUVy-SGuYBgYMJ9v469HH_SkowYTRdKnqLJ2jspHzmSA9vVgOq2b3uWhaWsGRvzw7IBQBrnZCz0XhLZFM0XNvbPiFvxgwWYS_1sCVBzuUb2vHasKqE1jn5k/s640/Lincoln+Street+-+Sitka+Alaska.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Lincoln Street westbound - Sitka Alaska </td></tr>
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We did a little window shopping as we made our way back down Lincoln Street westbound toward Harbor Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitG-YtBMHqhJeKW2fT_Cr2eL3EjXhPHYvpqm8oPWO1oDArfdrS3fcLk9KC7k1fNhtNNHemdFUkTuln_X338H_lMQfvRbMpwlN5TO4PYiuqJSnhTTWqY8IvB3gWHSGJBt70LptPXRuLdM/s1600/Sitka+Harbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitG-YtBMHqhJeKW2fT_Cr2eL3EjXhPHYvpqm8oPWO1oDArfdrS3fcLk9KC7k1fNhtNNHemdFUkTuln_X338H_lMQfvRbMpwlN5TO4PYiuqJSnhTTWqY8IvB3gWHSGJBt70LptPXRuLdM/s640/Sitka+Harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitka Harbor </td></tr>
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We arrived at the harbor area and could see the Westerdam anchored in the bay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB257l5Y4GIIFNvSrlsQ0lNhDNRYh2eSfLUBX-JyNBOPTAw9c53x-b3io8Tf4bEPDIcYWEX501amcqvfczOqczwIuw25NTcL0UbNksf1u9bdgx6Bl-5f51joVjXsVtSMCK9Xaq00OGZJ0/s1600/Westerdam+tendered+in+Sitka%252C+AK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB257l5Y4GIIFNvSrlsQ0lNhDNRYh2eSfLUBX-JyNBOPTAw9c53x-b3io8Tf4bEPDIcYWEX501amcqvfczOqczwIuw25NTcL0UbNksf1u9bdgx6Bl-5f51joVjXsVtSMCK9Xaq00OGZJ0/s640/Westerdam+tendered+in+Sitka%252C+AK.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland America Westerdam anchored at Sitka Alaska</td></tr>
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Sitka does not have a cruise ship dock so it is what is called a "tendered" port of call. The cruise ship remains anchored off shore and the ship's life boats ferry the passengers back and forth from the ship to shore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHrZw-4Uh6Sej3P9mut3kOfU3ULKj6AbW_mEdybN3AkvnOQo3DlKEAfYqdGhTywsqnVe904JkbHd5TkglxDuRmztXTLZzrxaKQ2vsHl0u0_0-ryALlznXRxHPoL5m32Z-OG2MOzyl1pQ/s1600/Westerdam+lifeboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHrZw-4Uh6Sej3P9mut3kOfU3ULKj6AbW_mEdybN3AkvnOQo3DlKEAfYqdGhTywsqnVe904JkbHd5TkglxDuRmztXTLZzrxaKQ2vsHl0u0_0-ryALlznXRxHPoL5m32Z-OG2MOzyl1pQ/s640/Westerdam+lifeboat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life Boat from the Westerdam</td></tr>
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The life boats were queued in a line and as each was filled with passengers it departed and the next one pulled up to the boarding dock. When it was our turn, we hopped aboard and made the short voyage back to the Westerdam. Although I'm sure if the ship needed to be evacuated, a life boat is seaworthy and would be preferable to jumping into the water, but they certainly aren't built for comfort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9YLcW2DdX5TPQjFow3EIaZLmr4tnC4ej8Ixi1u3g8ZHTHpbjBtvWThEdxXDbOPIZgxeWGtVg0BiWrQJfGGA3d_qNqZVPsP7Fy878o1HYztoA4II9ua2ELp-8B7A8QVffTep8w66cAT8/s1600/Inside+the+lifeboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9YLcW2DdX5TPQjFow3EIaZLmr4tnC4ej8Ixi1u3g8ZHTHpbjBtvWThEdxXDbOPIZgxeWGtVg0BiWrQJfGGA3d_qNqZVPsP7Fy878o1HYztoA4II9ua2ELp-8B7A8QVffTep8w66cAT8/s640/Inside+the+lifeboat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a life boat from the Westerdam</td></tr>
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We had a full day of adventure but I wish we'd had one more day to spend in Sitka since there were several other attractions I would have liked to have seen including the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d318399-Reviews-Russian_Bishop_s_House-Sitka_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bishop's House</a>, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d2406491-Reviews-Baranof_Castle_State_Historical_Site-Sitka_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baronov Castle</a>, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d247666-Reviews-Sitka_National_Historic_Park_Totem_Park-Sitka_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Totem Park Historical Site</a> and the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Alaska%20Cruise/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60966-d247667-Reviews-Sheldon_Jackson_Museum-Sitka_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheldon Jackson Museum</a>.<br />
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On to our next destination: Ketchikan.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/wellington-photos/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a>, <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/laumeier-sculpture-park/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust</a> and <a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/the-mystery-of-florences-cathedral-dome/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a> for more great travel adventures!</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/wellington-photos/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/laumeier-sculpture-park/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#weekendwanderlust</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Travel Notes & Beyond"><img alt="Travel Notes & Beyond" src="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wekpost1-e1432530947416.jpg" height="320" style="border: none;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/the-mystery-of-florences-cathedral-dome/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-11430915015997104852015-11-13T12:10:00.000-08:002015-11-27T06:28:26.937-08:00Fortress of the Bear - Sitka, AK<br />
The final stop on our three part Sitka shore excursion was the Fortress of the Bear, a bear rescue organization founded by Les and Evy Kinnear, who saw the need for a sanctuary for Alaska's orphaned bears. The State of Alaska currently has no provision in state law for raising and releasing young bears back into the wild, so orphaned bears are usually killed. If young bears can be captured and brought to Fortress of the Bear, they can live out their lives here or sometimes be transferred to zoos, wildlife parks or other similar organizations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Alaskan Brown Bear at Fortress of the Bear, Sitka, AK<br />
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The Fortress of the Bear is located about 5 miles up the road from our previous stop, <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-alaska-raptor-center-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">The Alaska Raptor Center.</a><br />
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Along the way, our tour bus driver, told us some of the history of the area.<br />
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The sign on the gate doesn't provide any clues, but the 3/4 acre site of the Fortress of the Bear is a re-purposed pulp mill. The giant round cement enclosures were once tanks filled with pulp being processed. The 15 foot walls are now a bear compound that keeps the bears securely inside. Elevated covered viewing platforms have been built to provide a great vantage point for visitors to safely observe the bears. The roof is especially welcome if you happen to visit on one of Sitka's rainy days, like we did.<br />
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<h3>
Alaskan Brown Bears at the Fortress of the Bears</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewing Platform at Fortress of the Bear</td></tr>
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The first stop on our tour was viewing platform between the two areas where the Alaskan Brown Bears are kept. There are currently a total of 5 brown bears, four boars (males) and one sow (female). The first bear to arrive in 2007 at the newly opened center was Killisnoo, a boar whose mother was shot when she entered a fishing lodge in search of food. His brother, Chaik was captured about two months later. There is no captive breeding of bears allowed in Alaska, so the male bears are all sterilized. There are signs with photos and information about each of the resident bears.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0YbaiHlyUQIsk_CE_LrTAaohVqrSBoY37nRxklOK2hI7EhA1cfqQi108jvOEJRdahl62_Mp-N6Z8_dSZR0Zdiq8MkT85sFmqYIYFbexBCUMYrpa2_sHIRAIpuQYJJ-GHzc18T4ElxBI/s1600/Killisnoo+-+Fortress+of+the+Bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0YbaiHlyUQIsk_CE_LrTAaohVqrSBoY37nRxklOK2hI7EhA1cfqQi108jvOEJRdahl62_Mp-N6Z8_dSZR0Zdiq8MkT85sFmqYIYFbexBCUMYrpa2_sHIRAIpuQYJJ-GHzc18T4ElxBI/s640/Killisnoo+-+Fortress+of+the+Bear.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign about Killisnoo the Bear</td></tr>
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The sow, Toby and her two brothers, Ballou and Lucky arrived at the center in 2010 when they were about one and a half years old. It was determined that their mother had died from an intestinal blockage caused by plastic bags that she ingested while eating garbage. Toby has learned some signing to communicate with the staff and lets them know when she wants more food<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzZv_SPOR3ZwiNsYtXSES8kvUjSZJoljITeU4Pr29C0CQqWJiO5fx5jwSZ25noJFnv37EOSdvawcZKQHfY5vq4XcK5dvTTttqYZtK0qEhX2i6J84FSKKpygu8JaARmzGLcKUMlQy_q4I/s1600/Alaska+Bear+at+Fortress+of+the+Bear+Enclosure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzZv_SPOR3ZwiNsYtXSES8kvUjSZJoljITeU4Pr29C0CQqWJiO5fx5jwSZ25noJFnv37EOSdvawcZKQHfY5vq4XcK5dvTTttqYZtK0qEhX2i6J84FSKKpygu8JaARmzGLcKUMlQy_q4I/s640/Alaska+Bear+at+Fortress+of+the+Bear+Enclosure.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old pulp mill converted to a bear compound - Sitka, Alaska</td></tr>
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Our tour leader, pointed out a recently added passageway which connects two of the compounds and provides a way for the two groups of previously separated bears to meet and interact. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQytnQuZN5kNUygByqx3XvrjkkKd2RBKG_AgZsClZRnX-a4NRit9mH_IRrSPav1NP4UfudVnvwhYRqgUlgvPcmaiGSKsYy1Vpq9Fl6bNMkDC_m1EpqxVwyX7OB9jjO7aKmseA5GMSgTc/s1600/Alaska+Brown+Bears+in+the+water+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQytnQuZN5kNUygByqx3XvrjkkKd2RBKG_AgZsClZRnX-a4NRit9mH_IRrSPav1NP4UfudVnvwhYRqgUlgvPcmaiGSKsYy1Vpq9Fl6bNMkDC_m1EpqxVwyX7OB9jjO7aKmseA5GMSgTc/s640/Alaska+Brown+Bears+in+the+water+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska brown bears - Sitka, Alaska</td></tr>
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Since the passage was installed the two groups have started interacting and it appears that these two in particular were enjoying each other's company.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumJqF9DV3_gsmy2De-VfELDrr10YFsyMsz9IPnnkmyNLWP6zpyskmjC8IJ4sidUOCZaFH8lSCcexWl3hsZUjKWN5k_SeO6R2aabqvMJw5ZLu8XLGS4BESmRZoPIcRG1kAE0c_BikbtA4/s1600/Alaska+Brown+Bears+Playing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumJqF9DV3_gsmy2De-VfELDrr10YFsyMsz9IPnnkmyNLWP6zpyskmjC8IJ4sidUOCZaFH8lSCcexWl3hsZUjKWN5k_SeO6R2aabqvMJw5ZLu8XLGS4BESmRZoPIcRG1kAE0c_BikbtA4/s640/Alaska+Brown+Bears+Playing.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Alaskan Brown Bears splashing in the water</td></tr>
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It was very entertaining to watch these huge bears noisily playing together in the water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rFkXvQTrgNOaL_nS6gtRVDL3f6vtpIqsxmva0un55Iwj7sg0eh1VD19z2D_gYVY4hTt71ifY2Ex-9BFagP9KENbXqWtIrBqJUHrN7YfbzDzj-aE0spvaAn6Q2L3kZl7bQLpmgVE6HHk/s1600/Alaskan+Brown+Bears+playing+in+the+water+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rFkXvQTrgNOaL_nS6gtRVDL3f6vtpIqsxmva0un55Iwj7sg0eh1VD19z2D_gYVY4hTt71ifY2Ex-9BFagP9KENbXqWtIrBqJUHrN7YfbzDzj-aE0spvaAn6Q2L3kZl7bQLpmgVE6HHk/s640/Alaskan+Brown+Bears+playing+in+the+water+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Alaskan Brown Bears at play - Sitka, Alaska</td></tr>
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There were a lot of vocalizations and splashing. I could have watched them all day. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9CvQ_OhM3bGH17zqtv2WLBtUS-ku7vUP67BmbhL0zxeTwguFoBFWdtKtaFaHgQMDqSCyzzreqepe793E6gXVEKTcdCWCBwkiYjhKPF1YKJkknc3bsfgGfcjSX5lEN3hIfq7pnzjGGlw/s1600/Bears+playing+in+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9CvQ_OhM3bGH17zqtv2WLBtUS-ku7vUP67BmbhL0zxeTwguFoBFWdtKtaFaHgQMDqSCyzzreqepe793E6gXVEKTcdCWCBwkiYjhKPF1YKJkknc3bsfgGfcjSX5lEN3hIfq7pnzjGGlw/s640/Bears+playing+in+water.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska Brown Bears - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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<h3>
Black Bears at the Fortress of the Bear</h3>
Our next stop on the tour was the black bear compound, The Fortress of the Bear is also home to three orphaned black bears. Sisters Smokey and Tuli and an unrelated male, Bandit, all arrived in 2013.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHYOyqkO3G-V16acJkOMG93XkpqO9LYek0ZYag-jjfwKVbLraBCq0f85KWpk0km7SNLujj8YO5X0gRBNrCzWbw5qtLYxOC1sFqaVt5lf1Ru-7z4LImfdBcyaCM4BRXISxGnTyNNNmxF4/s1600/A+trio+of+black+bears+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHYOyqkO3G-V16acJkOMG93XkpqO9LYek0ZYag-jjfwKVbLraBCq0f85KWpk0km7SNLujj8YO5X0gRBNrCzWbw5qtLYxOC1sFqaVt5lf1Ru-7z4LImfdBcyaCM4BRXISxGnTyNNNmxF4/s640/A+trio+of+black+bears+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Bears - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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Smokey and Tuli's were found after their mother was shot. They also had a third sibling who was never captured and is presumed to have died, since these two sisters were in very poor condition when the were brought to Fortress of the Bear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiIhsIt_uuMj59jtqNabRsGZxGoD1T0_NEBPOBK-16xcBulSGFpGDIlLBRy0nVrtoeFUY3ANaP8f0rWBVQCkDPUf_lNGRMVAaNvimOg8ZZSqWXkWO8JFWuBzfP7XvYxCMtv8ndRWGQHo/s1600/Black+Bears+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiIhsIt_uuMj59jtqNabRsGZxGoD1T0_NEBPOBK-16xcBulSGFpGDIlLBRy0nVrtoeFUY3ANaP8f0rWBVQCkDPUf_lNGRMVAaNvimOg8ZZSqWXkWO8JFWuBzfP7XvYxCMtv8ndRWGQHo/s640/Black+Bears+at+Fortress+of+the+Bears.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black bear sisters, Smokey and Tuli at Fortress of the Bears</td></tr>
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Bandit was found orphaned in Juneau after climbing up in a crab apple tree in someone's yard. The details about what happened to his mother are unknown. Bandit can easily be identified in the photo below. He is the bear with the white heart-shaped patch on his chest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsZi_2pvpHje7BH_IXdujtULRvyN_qLei44CMq347ri6imTlgkrPCs-oClndKUweGhFj6g0aADM7jmpl_M-st98M4d1iAQApmG_WXXzD7heP8kCiIL6jXFqX1IIXjVPFuq3RRyRuMrSY/s1600/Three+black+bears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsZi_2pvpHje7BH_IXdujtULRvyN_qLei44CMq347ri6imTlgkrPCs-oClndKUweGhFj6g0aADM7jmpl_M-st98M4d1iAQApmG_WXXzD7heP8kCiIL6jXFqX1IIXjVPFuq3RRyRuMrSY/s640/Three+black+bears.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three black bears</td></tr>
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Although the site may look rather industrial, every effort has been made to provide the bears with a nutritious natural diet and an environment that simulates what they would do if they were wild. At the Fortress of the bear they can climb trees and rocks, dig, swim and play with "toys" like old tires and pieces of culvert.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelq1xx8TQPZYK1SonCF7oQWx9pp_y0Dc9bSULMgfSLDgpDo4e1HhVLrC_enOqJm1kStzfMyd9b2g_JDCwLMkP_mTng8h-DrvWBiDgpamSGHyaOzEJSR_nekYLtL3Cl7JwwumFjQGsLGM/s1600/Black+Bears+climbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelq1xx8TQPZYK1SonCF7oQWx9pp_y0Dc9bSULMgfSLDgpDo4e1HhVLrC_enOqJm1kStzfMyd9b2g_JDCwLMkP_mTng8h-DrvWBiDgpamSGHyaOzEJSR_nekYLtL3Cl7JwwumFjQGsLGM/s640/Black+Bears+climbing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black bears climbing a tree at Fortress of the Bears</td></tr>
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Bears can live up to 30 years in captivity and although it is unfortunate that these bears are not living wild and free, at least they are alive and they do serve an educational purpose that benefits all bears. In addition to educating the people visiting Alaska on cruise ships, these bears also help teach local children about bears and how to minimize conflicts between humans and bears. The bears are given access to backpack with food inside to demonstrate how important it is to avoid leaving food sources in your camp or around your home. Since we didn't see any bears in the wild during our trip to Alaska, I was glad we signed up for this excursion to see these interesting creatures up close while helping to support the efforts of the Fortress of the Bear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXmn5AQo5ET8NsgUMgV3S6ay4qkQSkrowm4Cz1SqR_QPtu6cT6wsLvxZuWnOYifgBUPDA4kAWLeR3O_R7HOfiR8G6Hzh6WxBNmcHK7VXtnjTGrYjnJXKdS-7EBTRwoeJJbRfSaZH_ilg/s1600/Face+of+an+Alaska+Brown+Bear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXmn5AQo5ET8NsgUMgV3S6ay4qkQSkrowm4Cz1SqR_QPtu6cT6wsLvxZuWnOYifgBUPDA4kAWLeR3O_R7HOfiR8G6Hzh6WxBNmcHK7VXtnjTGrYjnJXKdS-7EBTRwoeJJbRfSaZH_ilg/s640/Face+of+an+Alaska+Brown+Bear.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Alaskan Brown Bear up close and personal</td></tr>
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<div>
The Fortress of the Bear is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that receives no government funding, They are funded solely by visitor admission fees, donations and proceeds from items sold in their gift shop. Their long term goal is to work toward changing the state laws of Alaska to allow rehabilitation and release of bears back into the wild as is done in 29 other states. If you are interested in more information or would like to support their work, you can visit their website: <a href="http://www.fortressofthebear.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fortress of the Bear</a>.</div>
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At the end of our visit, we boarded the bus and returned to Sitka with a little time to do some<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-short-walking-tour-of-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank"> walking around town, including a visit to the historic St. Michael's Russian Orthodox Cathedral</a>.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/bellota-tapas-bar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a>, <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/desegregation-of-central-high-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust </a> and <a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/driving-the-parks-highway-from-anchorage-to-denali/#more-15583" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a> for more great travel adventures!</h3>
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6szIHAL_FfdhAYuKMerfqEVC0NSc3-Oq6jP9ObPrWQwKa1VNawXFNUgU-Y_R2M_qooHmo4map0bTpAS_vVkm38647iApNoR3-VQpr1dwVmufqZgjmBqVpeOuxTu1PhX0o4hQltVYu10/s1600/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6szIHAL_FfdhAYuKMerfqEVC0NSc3-Oq6jP9ObPrWQwKa1VNawXFNUgU-Y_R2M_qooHmo4map0bTpAS_vVkm38647iApNoR3-VQpr1dwVmufqZgjmBqVpeOuxTu1PhX0o4hQltVYu10/s320/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
<a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/bellota-tapas-bar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></h3>
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</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSVP5ZW2CBfdbqOjlFLEFbDJC7uIo8EBeebKGBqmq4-NguX24oViofZU9m4Y4SgJkFJ1ikSXxTGuv4Jevv5TRxHV6neewXfKo6Ejf98EaRGD_BOFMZOi66QBrnhz1w7a0hb8yZnYJYdA/s1600/Weekend-Wanderlust-Logo-V2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSVP5ZW2CBfdbqOjlFLEFbDJC7uIo8EBeebKGBqmq4-NguX24oViofZU9m4Y4SgJkFJ1ikSXxTGuv4Jevv5TRxHV6neewXfKo6Ejf98EaRGD_BOFMZOi66QBrnhz1w7a0hb8yZnYJYdA/s320/Weekend-Wanderlust-Logo-V2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond, 'Hoefler Text', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 26px; text-align: start;"><a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/desegregation-of-central-high-school/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#WeekendWanderlust</a></strong></h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Travel Notes & Beyond"><img alt="Travel Notes & Beyond" src="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wekpost1-e1432530947416.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/driving-the-parks-highway-from-anchorage-to-denali/#more-15583" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a></td></tr>
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<br />Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-26939640124141732362015-11-06T14:13:00.005-08:002015-11-13T13:07:27.829-08:00The Alaska Raptor Center - Sitka, AKAfter our <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-otter-like-this-excursion-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">sea otter and wildlife quest</a> boat trip, a bus and driver was waiting at the dock to transport us to our next adventure in Sitka, a visit to the Alaska Raptor Center.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqWg-dcep3p6OR5KgP3PE8Zl0fUDCOmbogKZ0MByiw_GBAN3rEU8YT2BCDU49lq-t_21qSb2LgGE0Dn2wkbiXQi5TwI8vj9HDV0RFuKb7HZZAbyANVFQnGyyXJKA4h684r9HFwHRUlHw/s1600/Sitka+Tour+Bus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqWg-dcep3p6OR5KgP3PE8Zl0fUDCOmbogKZ0MByiw_GBAN3rEU8YT2BCDU49lq-t_21qSb2LgGE0Dn2wkbiXQi5TwI8vj9HDV0RFuKb7HZZAbyANVFQnGyyXJKA4h684r9HFwHRUlHw/s640/Sitka+Tour+Bus.JPG" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitka Tours Bus</td></tr>
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Let's be honest here, this bus was not luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, It think it was a old school bus with uncomfortable seats and smelled kind of funky inside. On the plus side, the driver was entertaining and knowledgeable about Sitka and the ride to the Alaska Raptor Center was thankfully short.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6er5OAhZthz2bmDLhH0lLWDnU2ya1GX8nGT2-YxxGlhx9Xf0pnshwt1dlgqosAhph05j_jtznAUKB5PcxKQmf24GHqfsAA0ELR5MvqlwkANoBB6-a5V2k4zQoE8o6POyVEq6U4T7TicM/s1600/P1040001++Raptor+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6er5OAhZthz2bmDLhH0lLWDnU2ya1GX8nGT2-YxxGlhx9Xf0pnshwt1dlgqosAhph05j_jtznAUKB5PcxKQmf24GHqfsAA0ELR5MvqlwkANoBB6-a5V2k4zQoE8o6POyVEq6U4T7TicM/s640/P1040001++Raptor+Center.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka Alaska</td></tr>
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According to their website, The <a href="http://www.alaskaraptor.org/about-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Alaska Raptor Center</a>'s Mission is "<i>To provide medical treatment for injured bald eagles and other birds, to teach people about Alaska’s birds and environmental conservation and to</i><i> conduct bald eagle research.</i>" <br />
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Started in the backyards of two residents of Sitka in 1980, the center has grown and now provides medical care and rehabilitation for 100-200 birds each year. Many of the birds are found in Alaska, but some have been transported from other parts of the US. The goal is to release them back into the wild, but unfortunately sometimes their injuries leave permanent damage that would prevent them from having a reasonable chance of survival. The center has over 20 resident birds that could not be released. These birds are used to educate visitors to the center and children in schools around the country. Other birds that can't be released are placed in zoos, with other educational organizations or in captive breeding facilities around the country. The offspring of captive-bred eagles are raised and released to help restore wild populations.<br />
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The center moved to their current 17 acre facility in 1991 and it is open daily for tours from May through September (hmmm, that coincides with the cruise ship season). <br />
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At the beginning of the tour we were directed past some information and displays about bald eagles on our way to the Bald Eagle Flight Training Center.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOQLapOV20pGlBzLG1PfFDEukSKYqn3oW-FBQVZ17cvsAy0DKfEriQnx2IkoeFa0F6mZvxudPldT3zQViq0ZG_6mtlYufspGfMoOYGUu-fAiMgZ40zf1Vj56ZoMiTq4z1d-tZRna4geU/s1600/Eagle+Flight+Cage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOQLapOV20pGlBzLG1PfFDEukSKYqn3oW-FBQVZ17cvsAy0DKfEriQnx2IkoeFa0F6mZvxudPldT3zQViq0ZG_6mtlYufspGfMoOYGUu-fAiMgZ40zf1Vj56ZoMiTq4z1d-tZRna4geU/s640/Eagle+Flight+Cage.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle Flight Training Enclosure - Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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The Flight Training Center is a large aviary where dozens of eagles gain strength in a simulated wild setting. They have room to fly, snags and logs to perch on, a man-made pond and stream and fresh salmon to eat. The quality of he above photo is poor because I took it through the one-way glass that allows observation without disturbing the birds. The center staff watch the progress of each bird to gauge whether it is well enough to be released and survive. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ9dfrNXsHJyklTHNLybKdFiklq0272GEhpfRt9RL0Bl8eryEgGVLa4KLpC9XMk5lq5QxmhC1lwB1nL_Sbi_22cVh_ghGVMYsYIbYCp_yzcnwPBDGmBQnKVaWh_lGHSgwugcrsEzI_vM/s1600/Flight+Training+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ9dfrNXsHJyklTHNLybKdFiklq0272GEhpfRt9RL0Bl8eryEgGVLa4KLpC9XMk5lq5QxmhC1lwB1nL_Sbi_22cVh_ghGVMYsYIbYCp_yzcnwPBDGmBQnKVaWh_lGHSgwugcrsEzI_vM/s640/Flight+Training+Center.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bald Eagle Flight Training Center</td></tr>
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This is another view of the Flight Training Center which shows the creek and pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OQFzvIosN2vP_NlDUFupzkCRIWH8eCgt0qUH8E_f2EtrgvrYBxGumJmXZ6LlkZbTusaD5frK31gMSA_XRCD1_Z33tAmLhcbU4zF8dcXYhbU3nOjk-UWMhT36_gQCypbDqrcGxHBjskw/s1600/Bald+Eagle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8OQFzvIosN2vP_NlDUFupzkCRIWH8eCgt0qUH8E_f2EtrgvrYBxGumJmXZ6LlkZbTusaD5frK31gMSA_XRCD1_Z33tAmLhcbU4zF8dcXYhbU3nOjk-UWMhT36_gQCypbDqrcGxHBjskw/s640/Bald+Eagle.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle at the Flight Training Compound at the Alaska Raptor Center<br />
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After observing the eagles in the Flight Training Center, we were led to a large meeting room where we were shown a film about the Alaska Raptor Center and a staff member brought in one of the resident eagles for us to meet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6aIH6o4PgMbDOr9YycgDm1d6bn9lPxPeDBna31GE5vBRBC9zfZGohZLRe_azOcl6mMltU-GeQc-raKCGdIybGqBRNhwNKonQUHM4-U_W5MElWlFhewJuPGB_bpScetOVW2RH-fanVtQ/s1600/Presentation+about+Bald+Eagles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6aIH6o4PgMbDOr9YycgDm1d6bn9lPxPeDBna31GE5vBRBC9zfZGohZLRe_azOcl6mMltU-GeQc-raKCGdIybGqBRNhwNKonQUHM4-U_W5MElWlFhewJuPGB_bpScetOVW2RH-fanVtQ/s640/Presentation+about+Bald+Eagles.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I didn't get a good photo of the bald eagle we were introduced to because we were asked not to use the flash on our cameras while the bird was in the room. After the end of the presentation, I went outside to see the outdoor aviaries where there were more birds, including golden eagles, ravens, falcons, hawks and owls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWxLSqpBZQxJSPphxWSH99QLpBlhpp5-73kjbMmWNN_vJA-AJ2axQSvLji1-EVEqIw-JLed1503xzNUZokCWvCgSqFfX6uDs0Xkrork6nDIpEpab6fizmTCz_I3JG5c-jEfsIbX1WnNM/s1600/Swainsons+hawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWxLSqpBZQxJSPphxWSH99QLpBlhpp5-73kjbMmWNN_vJA-AJ2axQSvLji1-EVEqIw-JLed1503xzNUZokCWvCgSqFfX6uDs0Xkrork6nDIpEpab6fizmTCz_I3JG5c-jEfsIbX1WnNM/s400/Swainsons+hawk.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Hawk at the Alaska Raptor Center - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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This Swainson's Hawk was one of several resident hawks we saw.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtNTzjdJH53I4odjAXMI8MirdW7TwDUxsvEwf1fWSwFnpHfcBXo3aXtFfNAbM6_SLptDD3c9pgVuR9vlq_3lrGKGznLOumfJExR2FK10vv5uwL3SpjZI5hdABMmNnvYpIP24TZYCd22g/s1600/Swainsons+Hawk+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtNTzjdJH53I4odjAXMI8MirdW7TwDUxsvEwf1fWSwFnpHfcBXo3aXtFfNAbM6_SLptDD3c9pgVuR9vlq_3lrGKGznLOumfJExR2FK10vv5uwL3SpjZI5hdABMmNnvYpIP24TZYCd22g/s640/Swainsons+Hawk+sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Informational Sign at the Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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The outdoor enclosures included educational signs with information about each species. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5E8UBmKtt3q1vmywIRlCk_yv8zRfgIWNpKJ0RlrQanfjPQgRsoeSB-COY7NdRA5mSkKUcBfzxMpo4q4Ag_JlVQKN3mF9OqMC6tTIXO4JTeajc_Er0DnWz2kquNjT1tDTgo8f86YpSGY/s1600/Great+Horned+Owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5E8UBmKtt3q1vmywIRlCk_yv8zRfgIWNpKJ0RlrQanfjPQgRsoeSB-COY7NdRA5mSkKUcBfzxMpo4q4Ag_JlVQKN3mF9OqMC6tTIXO4JTeajc_Er0DnWz2kquNjT1tDTgo8f86YpSGY/s640/Great+Horned+Owl.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Horned Owl at the Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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What I found most surprising was seeing so many owl species, including great horned owl, snowy owl, great grey owl, western screech owl, barred owl, saw-whet owl and northern pygmy owl.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkfxbIcnxqGWVjErk4LoPWGXIv_N9P1mzQTOYVo_2tEm63JYtrK1UlDKqGCFC-p9hqS_LqDTFibag2wvubBDch6vyY-2GYqubVg2CMgiBF4Qb2xHilaXbwmfbqkljR6ZOfXcC5tS6Mwo/s1600/snowy+owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkfxbIcnxqGWVjErk4LoPWGXIv_N9P1mzQTOYVo_2tEm63JYtrK1UlDKqGCFC-p9hqS_LqDTFibag2wvubBDch6vyY-2GYqubVg2CMgiBF4Qb2xHilaXbwmfbqkljR6ZOfXcC5tS6Mwo/s640/snowy+owl.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Owl at the Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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This snowy owl, named Qigig, was found in Illinois in 2012 and after receiving care at the University of Illinois for a broken wing, was transferred to the Alaska Raptor Center. It was hoped that continued rehab using the large flight aviary at the center would help him regain his ability to fly. Unfortunately his injuries were too severe for him to be released so he is now a resident.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH1OKXbgegGzQeL8c8VGGtII2jhoFjuUFeTsxz5AF6n8HSmo9TALRr5w3vTtx_JpTM-0HBx5ldJtU5pxEo-w4N_Ik-7rVIoxeNRp6beiNY_905Bg1n29SQ6q9kXgjEAafcztZG0DXOKI/s1600/Northern+Pygmy+owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH1OKXbgegGzQeL8c8VGGtII2jhoFjuUFeTsxz5AF6n8HSmo9TALRr5w3vTtx_JpTM-0HBx5ldJtU5pxEo-w4N_Ik-7rVIoxeNRp6beiNY_905Bg1n29SQ6q9kXgjEAafcztZG0DXOKI/s400/Northern+Pygmy+owl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Pygmy Owl at the Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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Behind the counter in the gift shop were two adorable tiny owls, this one, named Petey is a Northern Pygmy Owl. I couldn't get a photo, but this owl has eyes in the back of his head! Ok, not real eyes, but the pattern of his feathers makes it look like he has eyes. Petey is also a resident of the center because of limited flying ability due to a broken wing that did not heal properly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbT20HQTSClPrQsI7xpsIamrESKnK8baBn3koMXmgHZGySl_L8vbP7cjAhmwXQyLQyOsFPnOgRARjDldFLJcNo3X1Ga013PvDU3X2V4TRja_787og9gyFt1UmDcLkicKbDKukebP_9JfU/s1600/Saw-whet+owl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbT20HQTSClPrQsI7xpsIamrESKnK8baBn3koMXmgHZGySl_L8vbP7cjAhmwXQyLQyOsFPnOgRARjDldFLJcNo3X1Ga013PvDU3X2V4TRja_787og9gyFt1UmDcLkicKbDKukebP_9JfU/s400/Saw-whet+owl.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saw-whet Owl at the Alaska Raptor Center<br />
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The other tiny resident owl, is Tootsie the Saw-whet Owl. She is another resident bird with limited flight ability from a wing injury.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCQpmr60gyOIy0oFNXoE1x8I9LdOYRx-xN4a5zLYIt5i_agLTd_-C6G5fjO9FhA_L_Ynmojgzc7XoGbrKxals1JQKKdXfPGXBbmjEUSkVqEXWsE8mcj7BOovjFZgVreiPfjbPVZVckFc/s1600/Alaska+Raptor+Center+Forest+Trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCQpmr60gyOIy0oFNXoE1x8I9LdOYRx-xN4a5zLYIt5i_agLTd_-C6G5fjO9FhA_L_Ynmojgzc7XoGbrKxals1JQKKdXfPGXBbmjEUSkVqEXWsE8mcj7BOovjFZgVreiPfjbPVZVckFc/s640/Alaska+Raptor+Center+Forest+Trail.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest Trail at the Alaska Raptor Center</td></tr>
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If we hadn't been on a tour and had more time for a more leisurely visit, I would have explored this lovely meandering trail through the forest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLAf-A-1LeQXlJlhTmyWz62lJDAOlyDk1Y_hwqqS4DjkPaB7FDhnmajPPRQZFZt3pt2VxbETlckvAjOh2d6w617zX_8f5QWo-2IVHuF1XfUWc4i4GoPyu5IIqOv3lHyGHBmBxG8pla-Y/s1600/close-up+Bald+Eagle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLAf-A-1LeQXlJlhTmyWz62lJDAOlyDk1Y_hwqqS4DjkPaB7FDhnmajPPRQZFZt3pt2VxbETlckvAjOh2d6w617zX_8f5QWo-2IVHuF1XfUWc4i4GoPyu5IIqOv3lHyGHBmBxG8pla-Y/s640/close-up+Bald+Eagle.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of a Bald Eagle at the Alaska Raptor Center - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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Too soon our tour ended, but on our way out, we got one last close-up look at one of the resident eagles. Then it was time to board the bus and travel to our final stop on this 3-part tour, <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/fortress-of-bear-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">The Fortress of the Bear. </a><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit <a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/takapuna-to-milford/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspirations</a>, <a href="http://abritandasoutherner.com/french-quarter-walking-tour/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#Weekend Wanderlust</a> and <a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/the-weekly-postcard-glacier-bay-alaska-a-photo-essay/#more-15564" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard</a> links for more great travel adventures!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aCnCmFjBjQmVydsvrbN-Y95rWfa9G3bvOBqiLoBr5mYIIJhMUQNOM7U4n7bGxPiDGgCpYrI9HMMP0M7XHJ9_aeBNSsDFWiArrhOv8VsMybOtDhUCL5xDqu1Uwt-F_pzaHn3P8crToBc/s320/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" width="318" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/takapuna-to-milford/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-78802045454738746362015-10-30T06:24:00.000-07:002015-11-06T15:02:08.768-08:00You Otter Like this Excursion - Sitka, AKAfter the Westerdam anchored in the bay near Sitka, we were picked up right at the ship for an Sea Otter and Wildlife Quest by a boat from Allen Marine Tours. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of us boarding because I needed to watch my step with the boat bobbing up and down on the waves. It didn't help that wind was blowing the rain sideways. Not an auspicious beginning for our adventure. We boarded, found a seat and soon we were underway. I took this photo of the view out of the window.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OUaO1YRMtlqWB-Jh6PKbK8QvpKco0ZAfs6aIS91KW7i4ZdfBWjKK5I1PzZfU901PBF_3DYeWWqc4dtkI6xK88IH11H_AQd3LZ_oDRDnLhFyRABCSp42oz1EJ0dTkNCFiO15wbZOhEs8/s1600/Searching+for+Sea+Life+in+the+Rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OUaO1YRMtlqWB-Jh6PKbK8QvpKco0ZAfs6aIS91KW7i4ZdfBWjKK5I1PzZfU901PBF_3DYeWWqc4dtkI6xK88IH11H_AQd3LZ_oDRDnLhFyRABCSp42oz1EJ0dTkNCFiO15wbZOhEs8/s640/Searching+for+Sea+Life+in+the+Rain.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a Quest for Sea Otters and Other Wildlife - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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I'd never been seasick although I had many previous boating adventures. Nevertheless, as a precaution, I brought along some Dramamine, primarily for our granddaughter. I was concerned because I remembered from previous experience that her mother was very susceptible to motion sickness and worried that she may have passed the trait down to her daughter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n6VOZXGnf5xBeOocVBXnJz7nwY3dkRCwNC0772lR16JkYSZqr3jOJnGXiJl5uKcd_RlHRS3FG-nc-Nj7Zys_n_RAUiGQR4wKbzbjxN836_yb5ItQi0Ie9L4rKESVz6FNvdMcMVkK_L4/s1600/Inside+the+Tour+Boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9n6VOZXGnf5xBeOocVBXnJz7nwY3dkRCwNC0772lR16JkYSZqr3jOJnGXiJl5uKcd_RlHRS3FG-nc-Nj7Zys_n_RAUiGQR4wKbzbjxN836_yb5ItQi0Ie9L4rKESVz6FNvdMcMVkK_L4/s640/Inside+the+Tour+Boat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Naturalist on an Allen Marine Tour</td></tr>
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My attention was soon turned back inside the boat as a naturalist began to give a presentation about the wildlife of the area. The list of wildlife species we might see included sea otters, dolphins, porpoises, several species of whales, bears, deer and numerous birds. Binoculars were provided for our use. I brought my own, but it was very helpful for those who didn't. There were also hand-outs on the seats with information about the wildlife that is native to the area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbvf-PfUc6ZdPQpaMnxaI3pzfqSFb2-0JH4hpmY65nNKhF__ycjzSaL6N_DJHIBbW4nXn2Oc9NYSSgW1rfTLkPuhAEvqrLjNulzCwEAfqUpFnymlHTKabaGQ-BJiS3d7rk5INB3Sy5w0/s1600/Otter+fur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbvf-PfUc6ZdPQpaMnxaI3pzfqSFb2-0JH4hpmY65nNKhF__ycjzSaL6N_DJHIBbW4nXn2Oc9NYSSgW1rfTLkPuhAEvqrLjNulzCwEAfqUpFnymlHTKabaGQ-BJiS3d7rk5INB3Sy5w0/s640/Otter+fur.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Otter Fur</td></tr>
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She began her talk with information about sea otters since they were the main object of our wildlife quest. Sea otters were nearly hunted to extinction in these waters because of their valuable soft warm fur. A piece of sea otter fur was passed around for us all to feel. It certainly is soft and luxurious with a thick undercoat that keeps the otters warm in the cold water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz58lHl4HEzMOwzYK5Is8lYxOAStxftBXKzY-Mm_K_c4Z5US6FqtsUFkmY3rX10AiB23uLYNOVLgNITN6HAvdSp96V145PaGJ0j_9IpJwF3OV6QR0LEsHksVapN2gkrdDWDEttb4Jo6k/s1600/Tour+Boat+Snack+Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMz58lHl4HEzMOwzYK5Is8lYxOAStxftBXKzY-Mm_K_c4Z5US6FqtsUFkmY3rX10AiB23uLYNOVLgNITN6HAvdSp96V145PaGJ0j_9IpJwF3OV6QR0LEsHksVapN2gkrdDWDEttb4Jo6k/s640/Tour+Boat+Snack+Bar.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack Bar Inside the Allen Marine Tours Boat</td></tr>
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The tour included free coffee, tea, cocoa and muffins at a snack bar. There were additional snacks, books and gifts available for sale.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtkL-lk5_-9xt-m5E0ovT4xZCUb5vsK6_TkTxDl3DUwu6VMKji8rhZ5szU4dAcFGW_RHR_OcHvvEahHyLXh9kW9rI6C9AkWNu3uVnXvnnmF_Rkld_jLxH4kuEz6jomh9U7aN0BjxrRF0/s1600/Pilot+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtkL-lk5_-9xt-m5E0ovT4xZCUb5vsK6_TkTxDl3DUwu6VMKji8rhZ5szU4dAcFGW_RHR_OcHvvEahHyLXh9kW9rI6C9AkWNu3uVnXvnnmF_Rkld_jLxH4kuEz6jomh9U7aN0BjxrRF0/s640/Pilot+House.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilot House of a Sitka Tour Boat</td></tr>
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The boat had an upper level with an open air deck and an enclosed pilot house where the captain had some elaborate electronics to help him guide the boat through the narrow rocky channels. Not long after I took this photo we headed into some very rough water. For our own safety all passengers were directed to come back down the stairs to the enclosed lower deck. I returned to my seat and as the boat continued to roll, I asked my granddaughter if she was feeling ok. She said she was fine. Then I asked myself if I should have eaten that second helping of eggs benedict for breakfast. I gulped down a couple of Dramamine. A little while later we entered an area with calmer water. Whether it was because the rolling of the boat subsided or the Dramamine kicking in I'll never know, but I was thankful that my queasiness ended.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HqddPCOZ7RNkdi_dGpgRjF3c2xwacYYinFTBIAbr5vyGOxbO3sCebeH7UCcQrQ5Ngg34Tn451q7y0NAhLq1HiyuaL9Wf1h49Ym2L6vHrQmSHswGWYHB8e8XqatY1ALNe1k_4EnZPkZk/s1600/Sea+Otters+near+Sitka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HqddPCOZ7RNkdi_dGpgRjF3c2xwacYYinFTBIAbr5vyGOxbO3sCebeH7UCcQrQ5Ngg34Tn451q7y0NAhLq1HiyuaL9Wf1h49Ym2L6vHrQmSHswGWYHB8e8XqatY1ALNe1k_4EnZPkZk/s640/Sea+Otters+near+Sitka.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Soon after we entered the calmer water we sighted our first raft of sea otters in a kelp bed. The naturalist told us that the otters tether themselves to the kelp to prevent themselves from drifting while they sleep. She also made the observation that since this group was so large, it was probably a group of males. (This photo doesn't show the entire group) Apparently male and female sea otters live separate lives except during the breeding season.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlGbKFl4pnWbZ5JG8NurIzNORQtsvGJ1abdSzbJgoI7F-BP-aP5sXuS8M4E0D-twxpmhuxGSvRATWkgoa2U6ADgExgrYy5jIGPIA_fOPuylOBAKrR-Mh9RC1KpRQ5wPYQ7hVEVo8lYHQ/s1600/Close-up+Sea+Otter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlGbKFl4pnWbZ5JG8NurIzNORQtsvGJ1abdSzbJgoI7F-BP-aP5sXuS8M4E0D-twxpmhuxGSvRATWkgoa2U6ADgExgrYy5jIGPIA_fOPuylOBAKrR-Mh9RC1KpRQ5wPYQ7hVEVo8lYHQ/s640/Close-up+Sea+Otter.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Otter near Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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The boat kept a respectful distance from the groups of otters to avoid causing them stress, but occasionally we got to view a single otter like this one that would float past us at close range. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUTq6fS1V-TX3mSZszE62lMJRDOhSEdkZDuxh6StAfFv9pg2EZmH4vm2b3t4jU1E2BKYTAaJcYHT3Rot9tkLuX899ZZ_bQwzcn5CulHdCjAL1ImRk-RlhQ40fe5lcCtiBPd0QnnwyBE/s1600/female+sea+otters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPUTq6fS1V-TX3mSZszE62lMJRDOhSEdkZDuxh6StAfFv9pg2EZmH4vm2b3t4jU1E2BKYTAaJcYHT3Rot9tkLuX899ZZ_bQwzcn5CulHdCjAL1ImRk-RlhQ40fe5lcCtiBPd0QnnwyBE/s640/female+sea+otters.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Otters - Sitka, AK</td></tr>
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In another kelp bed in a different channel was another group of sea otters. The naturalist identified this group as females. We were quite a distance away, so my photo isn't very clear, but through the binoculars we could see that some of the otters had a little pup resting on their chests. One of the reasons I wanted to go on this shore excursion is because I fell in love with sea otters after seeing them at the Seattle Aquarium. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570611645/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1570611645&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=XEIBOLJAHNMRO2JI" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1570611645&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570611645/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1570611645&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=3ZO2C45V7RMEEEPN" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lootas, Little Wave Eater</a></td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pnwtravelsandtails-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1570611645" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
The matriarch of the Seattle Aquarium sea otters is Lootas, a sea otter from Alaska who was orphaned and nursed back to health, but lacked the skills needed to be released back into the wild. She became part of a captive breeding program and has contributed to the knowledge about sea otters through observation studies at the aquarium. She lives there with her daughter, Aniak and granddaughter, Sekiu. Lootas story is told in one of my favorite children's books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570611645/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1570611645&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=3ZO2C45V7RMEEEPN" rel="nofollow">Lootas Little Wave Eater: An Orphaned Sea Otter's Story</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pnwtravelsandtails-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1570611645" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> written by Clare Hodgson Meeker . Ohhh, that face!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLFP5MqjuLQWALivHI7M_V6mSpl1KViTph7i2MGykTLD1ZFH9aVPY71Ku4pJ0Po-VQqFgdIFLo-bKUktTRuh0E-MYGpbDwIG6zPeEc7LjjtvYbHqEUoAN2ElP3wQeI7GMsL-pYFeSPhs/s1600/eagle+in+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLFP5MqjuLQWALivHI7M_V6mSpl1KViTph7i2MGykTLD1ZFH9aVPY71Ku4pJ0Po-VQqFgdIFLo-bKUktTRuh0E-MYGpbDwIG6zPeEc7LjjtvYbHqEUoAN2ElP3wQeI7GMsL-pYFeSPhs/s640/eagle+in+tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Bald Eagle - Sitka Alaska</td></tr>
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Some other highlights of our wildlife quest trip included cruising past an eagle nest - sorry no photo of that - but I did snap a picture of this bald eagle perched in a nearby tree.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whale in the water near Sitka Alaska</td></tr>
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We also saw several whales spouting and a few glimpses of their bodies and tails. <br />
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At the end of our 2.5 hour tour the boat brought us to a dock in the Sitka harbor and we were directed to our bus driver who was waiting to transport us to our next stop, <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-alaska-raptor-center-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">The Alaska Raptor Center</a>.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit for more great travel adventures!</h3>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0Sitka, AK, USA57.0530556 -135.3300000000000454.8432026 -140.49357400000005 59.2629086 -130.16642600000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-15006468995333737612015-10-23T14:19:00.000-07:002015-10-27T11:47:29.382-07:00Cruising Glacier Bay AlaskaOn the fourth day of our cruise to Alaska we reached the ultimate destination of our journey, Glacier Bay. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Cruise Ship in Glacier Bay Alaska<br />
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The weather continued to be pretty gloomy, but the mists and clouds in some ways enhanced the magical feel of the place. The conditions we experienced are a more typical representation of what to expect when cruising Glacier Bay than the gorgeous photos of sunshine and blue skies.<br />
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Glacier Bay was not exactly what I had envisioned. The word "bay" to me suggested a round-shaped body of water sort of like a cul-de-sac. As the map below illustrates, it is actually a 65 mile long fjord with numerous narrow inlets and several glaciers of varying sizes visible along its length. Glacier Bay National Park encompasses more than just Glacier Bay. The park is 5,130 square miles and includes more than 1,000 glaciers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/nature/upload/Tidewater-and-Lakewater-Glaciers.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glacier Bay National Park Glaciers - Photo Credit: US National Park Service - Public Domain</a></td></tr>
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Since Glacier Bay is inside the national park, cruise ships are required to have a permit to enter. To protect the pristine beauty of the area, the number of permits issued for each day is limited. This is one of the reasons that cruises that include Glacier Bay in their itinerary may sell out several months before the departure date and may also demand a higher price than some other Alaska cruises.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL2bYr3C4PNh524yDdED62pxYuxWdMUaeV9GP7Y6VTabr_K8eEazeys9yCsKQMHQMe1RuF0MWzPTjPFtwB6DbFk_CmC5-NanONGKGK3jTZ1MqntCnhYZyWQz45arU8AOkH0vOpoG7QzU/s1600/Milky+Blue+Water+of+Glacier+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxL2bYr3C4PNh524yDdED62pxYuxWdMUaeV9GP7Y6VTabr_K8eEazeys9yCsKQMHQMe1RuF0MWzPTjPFtwB6DbFk_CmC5-NanONGKGK3jTZ1MqntCnhYZyWQz45arU8AOkH0vOpoG7QzU/s640/Milky+Blue+Water+of+Glacier+Bay.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aqua Blue Water of Glacier Bay</td></tr>
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As we enter Glacier Bay, a National Park Service Naturalist boards the ship to broadcast information over the ship's PA system during our time in the park. One of the things we learned is that the beautiful milky aqua colored water of the bay is due to the fine particles of minerals and rock created by the grinding action of the glaciers. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYmmi29S2nQHla3cm2H-y_N96RVBbJ2C7mGAxycjZ2eFjvnLM1n9UvAiZx_BApx5KMNbSvUyklq2DaIBbcorfLEJnyjdf0O5z2LZM8lkQU3C36GJrKGPr4lcsVQJW1sQPnoreT07hxJo/s1600/Glacier+Bay+waterfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYmmi29S2nQHla3cm2H-y_N96RVBbJ2C7mGAxycjZ2eFjvnLM1n9UvAiZx_BApx5KMNbSvUyklq2DaIBbcorfLEJnyjdf0O5z2LZM8lkQU3C36GJrKGPr4lcsVQJW1sQPnoreT07hxJo/s640/Glacier+Bay+waterfall.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall in Glacier Bay Alaska</td></tr>
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We passed numerous waterfalls similar to this one with trickles of water cascading over the rocky walls of the bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland America Split Pea Soup</td></tr>
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One of the traditions on Holland America is the bowls of hot Dutch split pea soup served on the deck while cruising Glacier Bay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL0KjaRw21pfC21mz274JMqUcyuKCskOjzNa5tLd77RsRjErZ36yNxyjmHwXRoLZYLUNHNJxG66DCCKAPhAINeBBYXdIF4qbHyZBTHs5nYbHAXvG0qPvQNDcVkG4gx3PibxK_4KffA0g/s1600/Pea+Soup.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOL0KjaRw21pfC21mz274JMqUcyuKCskOjzNa5tLd77RsRjErZ36yNxyjmHwXRoLZYLUNHNJxG66DCCKAPhAINeBBYXdIF4qbHyZBTHs5nYbHAXvG0qPvQNDcVkG4gx3PibxK_4KffA0g/s640/Pea+Soup.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland America Split Pea Soup</td></tr>
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Ok, my bowl of soup wasn't picture perfect - a few drops were slopped on the side, but it was thick and hot and delicious! The hot soup was welcome because even though we were dressed warmly, it is very chilly when out on the deck of a ship that is surrounded by ice cold water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jPcmZCHkIpkO8jJHOq9qKWCTjNIwCKLC3_IyKCbnB9IyFWacok975s1Dl-wmb6IUxNyWKbJJWpImQOPYxASCnI9GO34LZJjz1S68R1gMIqrQtR3PgRjPotKsFOtgi8tClQkPKeKUCBo/s1600/Essentials+for+Glacier+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jPcmZCHkIpkO8jJHOq9qKWCTjNIwCKLC3_IyKCbnB9IyFWacok975s1Dl-wmb6IUxNyWKbJJWpImQOPYxASCnI9GO34LZJjz1S68R1gMIqrQtR3PgRjPotKsFOtgi8tClQkPKeKUCBo/s400/Essentials+for+Glacier+Bay.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a photo of me and my husband to illustrate how we were dressed in layers topped off by winter jackets. We both brought along binoculars and cameras which I also definitely recommend. On any given day passengers on a cruise ship in Glacier Bay may see whales, otters, seals, bears, mountain goats and other wildlife including numerous bird species.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sJAXJjPbkB8M-zRmW6oCo-SiHumrpD97qmWIM-iblBnF8UFsHEYV40Y9B-d36CKTMEoJe7bst2kbN-yMlQuj8DxWzc6UEulr-Wswj4lUpYfjzusnarKO_pYwo8H8JwXfiIVb8WbbSLE/s1600/Ship+in+Glacier+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sJAXJjPbkB8M-zRmW6oCo-SiHumrpD97qmWIM-iblBnF8UFsHEYV40Y9B-d36CKTMEoJe7bst2kbN-yMlQuj8DxWzc6UEulr-Wswj4lUpYfjzusnarKO_pYwo8H8JwXfiIVb8WbbSLE/s640/Ship+in+Glacier+Bay.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alaska State Ferry on Glacier Bay </td></tr>
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We passed by an Alaska State Ferry on its run from Juneau to Gustavus. There are also tour boats that depart each day during the summer season from the Glacier Bay Lodge. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNXq9fZN1vCNJ4HA-FFH4zKNcnjib-NXPz4p3b_I-euQevRmbTVKNnXnFIFutQyvs0EwJWpt-3U_OXwYCEOVQr5baqx2DUmR9SoxowW8jhBHQet_XnycX_J1KFuO7a88lF_GsAlJ283Y/s1600/Glacier+in+Glacier+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNXq9fZN1vCNJ4HA-FFH4zKNcnjib-NXPz4p3b_I-euQevRmbTVKNnXnFIFutQyvs0EwJWpt-3U_OXwYCEOVQr5baqx2DUmR9SoxowW8jhBHQet_XnycX_J1KFuO7a88lF_GsAlJ283Y/s640/Glacier+in+Glacier+Bay.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margerie Glacier - Glacier Bay Alaska</td></tr>
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The Margerie Glacier is the glacier most often seen in photos of of Glacier Bay with calving chunks of ice falling into the water. It towered above the cruise ship and the rugged ice shapes are a gorgeous blue color. To me, it was the most beautiful and impressive glacier in the bay. As recently as 250 years ago all of the glaciers in the bay were one giant glacier that extended to the mouth of Glacier Bay. It has now receded over 60 miles and divided into numerous smaller glaciers, 7 of which currently calve glaciers into the sea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margerie Glacier and Icebergs, Glacier Bay National Park</td></tr>
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At the head of Glacier Bay we were surrounded by small icebergs that had calved from the glacier. With our binoculars we took a closer look at the dark shapes that could be seen on some of the ice chunks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YYSaiQ0cxrtJydesESUujtxazaOaqfMUkw8p5DuWd28O-X3JkmO3jfZjQ92zK1Sb9ZoKRpwS479L97emWxxIIrNkQ371Ys3HFUZ8Dz7TH1gVo2rEg1zaK0ZulZWT1MtBG_LmVrBZR8U/s1600/Glacier+Bay+Harbor+Seal+on+an+iceberg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YYSaiQ0cxrtJydesESUujtxazaOaqfMUkw8p5DuWd28O-X3JkmO3jfZjQ92zK1Sb9ZoKRpwS479L97emWxxIIrNkQ371Ys3HFUZ8Dz7TH1gVo2rEg1zaK0ZulZWT1MtBG_LmVrBZR8U/s640/Glacier+Bay+Harbor+Seal+on+an+iceberg.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbor Seal on an Iceberg, Glacier Bay NP</td></tr>
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We were able to zoom in and identify the dark shapes as dozens of harbor seals.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier Calving at Glacier Bay</td></tr>
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As the ship slowly circled around the glacier, we could hear the ice creaking and groaning and an occasional sharp snap before a piece fell into the sea. It was a challenge to try to capture the glacier calving in a photo because the glacier is very large and it was impossible to predict from where the next chunk would fall. I was lucky to have my camera pointed in the right direction when this one fell and then only caught mostly the splash when it hit the water. Another bit of information that was amazing to me is that the ice at the front of the glaciers is between 75 and 200 years old.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7oK7Y_hnPnYEGmK_oltZZLYBIq0TxytQVPM9GR7wf0L5G9VbKWhHqoepSyS_CqMeqIX7JWhuI6fWCLa-yi5zmUP6SEP5WirXFvvT03miN73Ey6BjVOM7x1cD89UYYkk_eVpG8md56Io/s1600/Johns+Hopkins+Glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7oK7Y_hnPnYEGmK_oltZZLYBIq0TxytQVPM9GR7wf0L5G9VbKWhHqoepSyS_CqMeqIX7JWhuI6fWCLa-yi5zmUP6SEP5WirXFvvT03miN73Ey6BjVOM7x1cD89UYYkk_eVpG8md56Io/s640/Johns+Hopkins+Glacier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johns Hopkins Glacier, Glacier Bay</td></tr>
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Another of the largest, most impressive glaciers we saw was the Johns Hopkins Glacier. Clouds on the day or our visit prevented us from seeing the mountain peaks behind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxBoU9zF3s7wN4vvUjwgglLnfBLwp6iipKV2GkFgxhRNUlq11SDttdWuXOedld2aDfMQkH6tz7Qg2gdTaXW3i4WvjV6zVhi2sLE-DdRB4yda5lzUdKhyA5Ic-p6OvRkLFZh87fz05Iuw/s1600/Closeup_of_Johns_Hopkins_Glacier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxBoU9zF3s7wN4vvUjwgglLnfBLwp6iipKV2GkFgxhRNUlq11SDttdWuXOedld2aDfMQkH6tz7Qg2gdTaXW3i4WvjV6zVhi2sLE-DdRB4yda5lzUdKhyA5Ic-p6OvRkLFZh87fz05Iuw/s640/Closeup_of_Johns_Hopkins_Glacier.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Closeup_of_Johns_Hopkins_Glacier.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">By Alan Wu [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons</a></td></tr>
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The photo above is of the Johns Hopkins Glacier taken by someone who was fortunate enough to visit on a sunny, clear day. Whether under sunny skies or clouds, it is a magnificent experience!<br />
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We are linked up with the following travel blogs. Please visit for more great travel adventures!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/aviation-display-hall/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration with Albom Adventures</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://justinpluslauren.com/preparing-for-my-volunteer-trip-to-kenya/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Wanderlust with Justin Plus Lauren</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/alaskan-trails-walking-to-the-nugget-falls/#more-15346" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Weekly Postcard hosted by Travel Notes & Beyond</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-81606968656188637052015-10-17T15:01:00.000-07:002015-10-23T14:31:19.580-07:00The Mount Roberts Tram and Juneau AlaskaAnother of the most popular things to do in Juneau, is to take the tram to the top of Mount Roberts. On a sunny day the view must be incredible because even on a misty rainy day it was pretty impressive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSXCSu4pbHkRj2R6bf_NFKJ0LuqRHcWNlNDg3mLE_C1HgpW_gj7VE-lXzpCODHJKFzWPr_2ZZxv37xqOrt0OFgl_YcGNQaeZFbJ85LSQVij-l2e0Tw1YRz8EQABwM3REFGO-zjQA6Vkw/s1600/The+Tram+car+approaches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrSXCSu4pbHkRj2R6bf_NFKJ0LuqRHcWNlNDg3mLE_C1HgpW_gj7VE-lXzpCODHJKFzWPr_2ZZxv37xqOrt0OFgl_YcGNQaeZFbJ85LSQVij-l2e0Tw1YRz8EQABwM3REFGO-zjQA6Vkw/s640/The+Tram+car+approaches.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Roberts Tram - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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The tram is located right next to the main cruise terminal which makes it very convenient for cruise ship passengers to take the trip up the mountain. <br />
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The Mount Roberts Tramway was opened in 1996 and is owned and operated by Goldbeldt, LLC which is an Alaskan native corporation. The tram takes over 200,000 passengers per year up the mountain and only operates during the cruise ship season from May through September.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge Gears of the Mount Roberts Tramway - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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While we waited for our turn to board one of the tram cars, it was fascinating to watch the huge pulley that winds the cable that moves the tram cars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrUM71Vz2iOoD7ywcKKyktfI86eoaTBF2HgT7aIc4PrnoH4CXFCbQW-nlQXpR38vX5AtpGYb9WbpKvGokJPEZZcG5LU0rcR23tg7xoVkrLaxCnwp8fjfTLnj5sNHagx6NQb2QOj-1XD4/s1600/Mt+Roberts+Tram+car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrUM71Vz2iOoD7ywcKKyktfI86eoaTBF2HgT7aIc4PrnoH4CXFCbQW-nlQXpR38vX5AtpGYb9WbpKvGokJPEZZcG5LU0rcR23tg7xoVkrLaxCnwp8fjfTLnj5sNHagx6NQb2QOj-1XD4/s640/Mt+Roberts+Tram+car.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Roberts Tramway car "Eagle" - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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The Mount Roberts Tramway has two cars - Eagle and Raven. We happened to take the ride up the mountain on "Eagle".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafZE5poNhjAGnCjK-8Z0GN_eKM5MylRgn5k0vdc2Wn9480bwefTx1uRRx72LuX05Z0PCLLBQDjzWtwCIAysbuJio5fpXYNk6ko52YS7MH9P5RDUCu8JDsRKNCY1-S7ps-UY4tDOQZhzE/s1600/Climbing+Up+Mt+Roberts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiafZE5poNhjAGnCjK-8Z0GN_eKM5MylRgn5k0vdc2Wn9480bwefTx1uRRx72LuX05Z0PCLLBQDjzWtwCIAysbuJio5fpXYNk6ko52YS7MH9P5RDUCu8JDsRKNCY1-S7ps-UY4tDOQZhzE/s640/Climbing+Up+Mt+Roberts.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending the Mount Roberts Tramway - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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As the tram took off and we started quickly gaining altitude, it occurred to me as I looked down at the city of Juneau below, that those who suffer from either acrophobia or claustrophobia may want to think twice before signing up for this activity. Of concern to the claustrophobic is that each tram car holds up to 60 people and the operators count to try to make sure each car is packed. For the acrophobics, the car has glass windows on all sides and rises over 1800 feet in about six minutes. It is reported to be one of the steepest tramways in the world. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Top of the Mount Roberts Tramway</td></tr>
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At end of the ride to the top of the mountain passengers exit the tram car on a platform perched on a tower. The platform is attached to the "The Mountain House" by a sky bridge. The Mountain House contains displays of Native Alaskan arts and crafts, the Raven Eagle Gift shop, the Chilkat theater with a film about Tlingit culture and a restaurant, the Timberline Bar and Grill.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of Mount Roberts - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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After spending some time looking around in the Mountain House, we headed up a trail leading to the interpretive nature. On our way I glanced down to the cruise ship terminal below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVxfumOXBIEr9x3abM5Hg_0teR5pj7xyBVEhyphenhyphenk1yZ5EY3MgoHs_6BCrl_C-m06VM93MNpo-2RrsIhQc41QMurk07khHO7CBSPV5CM1nqnd_XOqvl71_qHQPD43LD_NYkJtcnaDmexZqU/s1600/View+of+the+cruise+ship+from+Mt+Roberts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVxfumOXBIEr9x3abM5Hg_0teR5pj7xyBVEhyphenhyphenk1yZ5EY3MgoHs_6BCrl_C-m06VM93MNpo-2RrsIhQc41QMurk07khHO7CBSPV5CM1nqnd_XOqvl71_qHQPD43LD_NYkJtcnaDmexZqU/s640/View+of+the+cruise+ship+from+Mt+Roberts.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of a Cruise Ship from the top of Mount Roberts - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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Using the zoom on my camera, I got a little better photo of one of the cruise ships tied up at the dock.<br />
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We continued on the trail toward the nature center hoping to see and learn more about Lady Baltimore, a bald eagle who was found injured from a gunshot on Douglas Island in 2006. Unfortunately she was not receiving visitors at the time we were at Mount Roberts.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwHKKkKS9rJkm9fv_ZgvPYKgw1vU2EGD2wNIcY2cEailBbJUd6DV6yemOx010apUgEd2wEu5gDrjrTpQ70GtFofW_8EC2gfuHQ2e9Puk2KbBqAN_rHCWQAIRtjOZAsUO06Leoxaw1KQ/s1600/Lady_Baltimore%252C_an_injured_bald_eagle%252C_in_her_habitat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwHKKkKS9rJkm9fv_ZgvPYKgw1vU2EGD2wNIcY2cEailBbJUd6DV6yemOx010apUgEd2wEu5gDrjrTpQ70GtFofW_8EC2gfuHQ2e9Puk2KbBqAN_rHCWQAIRtjOZAsUO06Leoxaw1KQ/s640/Lady_Baltimore%252C_an_injured_bald_eagle%252C_in_her_habitat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lady_Baltimore,_an_injured_bald_eagle,_in_her_habitat.jpg#/media/File:Lady_Baltimore,_an_injured_bald_eagle,_in_her_habitat.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Lady Baltimore, an injured bald eagle, in her habitat" by Michaelh2001 - I took this photo today, 15 August 2015, using my Canon PowerShot camera. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia</a></td></tr>
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Within a week after our visit, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Michaelh2001" target="_blank">Michaelh2001</a> took this photo of Lady Baltimore (below) and her habitat (above) on a beautiful sunny day. I wish we had been as lucky with the weather.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lady_Baltimore,_in_her_habitat.jpg#/media/File:Lady_Baltimore,_in_her_habitat.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Lady Baltimore, in her habitat" by Michaelh2001 - I created this file today, using my Canon PowerShot camera. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikipedia</a><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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Lady Baltimore is part of the <a href="http://juneauraptorcenter.org/index.php" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Juneau Raptor Center</a> educational program located at Mount Roberts. The Juneau Raptor Center provides medical treatment and rehabilitation for all types of wild birds, not just raptors, and when possible, releases them back to the wild. Those that have injuries that are too severe to survive in the wild, like Lady Baltimore, are either humanely euthanized or kept for educational purposes.<br />
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We continued on to the nature center which features interpretive exhibits, including several created by the Juneau Raptor Center.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Nest Interpretive Display - Mount Roberts Tramway</td></tr>
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One of the exhibits is a life-size display showing the size of a bald eagle nest.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Wingspan Interpretive Display - Mount Roberts Tramway</td></tr>
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Another encourages visitors to compare their outstretched arms to the wingspan of a bald eagle and several other bird species. My husband with an arm span of about 6 feet kindly obliged as my model to give some idea of scale to the photo.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tramway Platform at the top of Mount Roberts</td></tr>
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There are several miles hiking trails on Mount Roberts, but since the visibility was so poor due to the weather and also because we had already done a hike at the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/mendenhall-glacier-juneau-alaska.html" target="_blank">Mendenhall Glacier</a> earlier in the day, we decided to return back down the mountain to do a little walking around in Juneau. A tram car departs from the platform every 10 minutes so we didn't have long to wait.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending from the top of Mount Roberts</td></tr>
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Soon we were zooming back down the mountain.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKSYOwK1MSYmPSukg2mVIWqdAtDoHkxhA178YSvnidUCjs8avQQZwKlzrACQxibijlcm5y2YZXP4bb89FqTU-Pi8Ae_CcrSuQJYz0iGavWRdXNPc1PTtjXk5FfweBxrxqG4k3CgLXD14/s1600/Bald+Eagle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKSYOwK1MSYmPSukg2mVIWqdAtDoHkxhA178YSvnidUCjs8avQQZwKlzrACQxibijlcm5y2YZXP4bb89FqTU-Pi8Ae_CcrSuQJYz0iGavWRdXNPc1PTtjXk5FfweBxrxqG4k3CgLXD14/s640/Bald+Eagle.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle - Mount Roberts - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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Ok, this is a horrible photo that I took on the tram while riding down from Mount Roberts. We saw numerous bald eagles from Mount Roberts and also in Juneau, so I wanted to post at least one. It is the best one I have because it was such a dark rainy day. At least you can see the white head of the bird sitting in a tree. Probably doesn't help that I'm not the world's best photographer either.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoppers on Franklin Avenue - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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I saw at least four cruise ships in port, so Franklin Avenue was filled with sightseers and shoppers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Rainy Day in Juneau Alaska</td></tr>
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We walked down Franklin Avenue a few blocks and checked out some of the shops.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shops in Juneau near the cruise ship terminal</td></tr>
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The businesses on Franklin Avenue cater to the cruise ship crowds and there is a wide variety of products available but jewelry, furs and souvenirs were represented in abundance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpMuURvfdGf_WYvbnUfRgFIf-aevdBeNsuKu-Di_wwlbYvrkvKoZ6Vc8INJF7CgSDPojHMyrjX37Xxcs6fE_n1_-Ges5hUVJywvchzPuxZDBrQaIAoB3YVnlb9dbWNiPtJ8ubI9EwE-c/s1600/Tracys+Krab+Shack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpMuURvfdGf_WYvbnUfRgFIf-aevdBeNsuKu-Di_wwlbYvrkvKoZ6Vc8INJF7CgSDPojHMyrjX37Xxcs6fE_n1_-Ges5hUVJywvchzPuxZDBrQaIAoB3YVnlb9dbWNiPtJ8ubI9EwE-c/s640/Tracys+Krab+Shack.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy's King Crab Shack</td></tr>
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Of course there were also restaurants and bars. Tracy's King Crab Shack has a large retail shop full of any crab related souvenir you can imagine as well as the restaurant in the back. When researching our ports of call in preparation for our cruise we'd read <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Juneau/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g31020-d665301-Reviews-Tracy_s_King_Crab_Shack-Juneau_Alaska.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">some great reviews for Tracy's King Crab Shack</a> and had planned to stop and get a bite to eat. Although the food looked good, we took a poll and we all voted to go back to the ship to take hot showers and get into some dry clothes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holland America Westerdam at the dock in Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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So it was back to the ship and the end of our damp day in Juneau. <br />
Tomorrow's destination: <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/cruising-glacier-bay-alaska.html" target="_blank"> Glacier Ba</a>y<br />
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0Juneau, AK, USA58.3019444 -134.4197222000000257.236388399999996 -137.00150920000002 59.3675004 -131.83793520000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-47459498387006672432015-10-12T04:21:00.001-07:002015-10-18T07:28:40.777-07:00Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau AlaskaOur first port of call on our Alaska Cruise after departing from Seattle was Juneau. Juneau is only accessible by air or sea and the majority of people who visit arrive by cruise ship.<br />
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I think most people would agree that the "must see" place to go when visiting Juneau is the Mendenhall Glacier. As my photo (below) proves, when you are in Alaska, even during the summer, there is no guarantee of sunny weather.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau Alaska</td></tr>
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Upon arriving in Juneau we disembarked at the cruise ship dock and walked a short distance to board a bus for <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~a27e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">a tour to the Mendenhall Glacier</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekBZJKSUcnQ83j1vJ9VPxlbsCqPxROAUbFE1tBEQF41isBBvMtg-iMf4A70BnGrPGDfnj0d1ngpJ3eePomjqISSWW7MyCbgMdntqGlCD1d6FacagKzFoxL7LqmdZxlnf70Tmw92-gzf4/s1600/Westerdam+in+Port+at+Juneau.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekBZJKSUcnQ83j1vJ9VPxlbsCqPxROAUbFE1tBEQF41isBBvMtg-iMf4A70BnGrPGDfnj0d1ngpJ3eePomjqISSWW7MyCbgMdntqGlCD1d6FacagKzFoxL7LqmdZxlnf70Tmw92-gzf4/s640/Westerdam+in+Port+at+Juneau.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour Bus Parking at the Juneau Cruise Ship Dock</td></tr>
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The Mendenhall Glacier is only a half-hour trip (approximately 12 miles) from Juneau providing an amazingly accessible close-up view of a glacier.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDobHP2FCC3BMJfLrl05_7DRMuS662sP8XdorqBPY4frOVvum1BX9NGso4f9O3vTjxeYmPUpWCT5Ip74XL_dYnYpQoux0sA9ylzFOSCANU5qwICqBF3f7TdATabwQw5Ws5HI4jN3uAvLU/s1600/Mendenhall+Glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDobHP2FCC3BMJfLrl05_7DRMuS662sP8XdorqBPY4frOVvum1BX9NGso4f9O3vTjxeYmPUpWCT5Ip74XL_dYnYpQoux0sA9ylzFOSCANU5qwICqBF3f7TdATabwQw5Ws5HI4jN3uAvLU/s640/Mendenhall+Glacier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls</td></tr>
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Upon disembarking from the bus, we walked a short distance to a vantage point in front of the visitor center. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtBPqMq6AG1UhGV4qx4cHZypazFYeroXLBB9sQewaIhd6STPFBnATyemU1o4sBm9AMAnI1yOUB-HtoRLfxxLqZzHO-XB4tuOz1q6dFlGfyzGF9JVPviXpOVverps7UYZhkJU7ofPWkZE/s1600/Nugget+Falls+Trail+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtBPqMq6AG1UhGV4qx4cHZypazFYeroXLBB9sQewaIhd6STPFBnATyemU1o4sBm9AMAnI1yOUB-HtoRLfxxLqZzHO-XB4tuOz1q6dFlGfyzGF9JVPviXpOVverps7UYZhkJU7ofPWkZE/s640/Nugget+Falls+Trail+Sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nugget Falls Trail Sign</td></tr>
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We wanted to get a closer look and didn't want to run out of time so we opted to hike to Nugget Falls first before going into the visitor center.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f9Ag0cdLSHKYe68GgHz_FSZBxJRTgrR6eFIK_CCrGG8FWEraUExtx-a9NNJnZQXw0aQwk3nSJM1yTHACwUeLQ7rIETgIlK69vL1NHixTfR9RD5R-mvVPIUzOcnA07DS9z6sTpsf_6vs/s1600/Wildflowers+along+the+Nugget+Falls+Trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f9Ag0cdLSHKYe68GgHz_FSZBxJRTgrR6eFIK_CCrGG8FWEraUExtx-a9NNJnZQXw0aQwk3nSJM1yTHACwUeLQ7rIETgIlK69vL1NHixTfR9RD5R-mvVPIUzOcnA07DS9z6sTpsf_6vs/s640/Wildflowers+along+the+Nugget+Falls+Trail.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blooming Wildflowers (Epilobium species) along the Nugget Falls Trail</td></tr>
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The trail was flat, easy and it is only about one mile from the visitor center to the base of the falls. The vegetation along the trail is lush with some wildflowers in bloom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzkjge9gqd75eTA2pERH3p2dDKOcZETJGVJJ4hoVTv2p1KjwTDRzg59sdjiqBaCwf7iAXxxpjobhKyJfb3aDAczz1GFfXrpBkZGe4kjK2a-ft_nXD8BtHsVJP6rdFodc_PM4VpYLA2mA/s1600/Bear+Warning+Signs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzkjge9gqd75eTA2pERH3p2dDKOcZETJGVJJ4hoVTv2p1KjwTDRzg59sdjiqBaCwf7iAXxxpjobhKyJfb3aDAczz1GFfXrpBkZGe4kjK2a-ft_nXD8BtHsVJP6rdFodc_PM4VpYLA2mA/s640/Bear+Warning+Signs.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Although there were numerous warning signs and we had heard that there was a good possibility of viewing bears along the trail or fishing below the falls, we didn't see any.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPj6LqHegEHhImn634Ky8AvpBJ99qITABeNbGSWLVomtGrhQa8kJbySnwz_qzvVI-nLfSGUaVO4-omKr4z2Bpm34HfWJSF8TfrboBhk-Cyh8LrD2R7MPxs2iX5Gb0BUVh0hbEu6R-4LE/s1600/Icebergs+from+the+Mendenhall+Glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPj6LqHegEHhImn634Ky8AvpBJ99qITABeNbGSWLVomtGrhQa8kJbySnwz_qzvVI-nLfSGUaVO4-omKr4z2Bpm34HfWJSF8TfrboBhk-Cyh8LrD2R7MPxs2iX5Gb0BUVh0hbEu6R-4LE/s640/Icebergs+from+the+Mendenhall+Glacier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceberg in Mendenhall Lake</td></tr>
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Like many of the world's glaciers, Mendenhall Glacier is receding. It has retreated almost 2 miles since 1958. It is currently about 12 miles long. As the Mendenhall Glacier melted it has created the enlarging Mendenhall lake where icebergs can be seen floating after breaking off from the Glacier.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEBTSozRJ91tkc3FBVsLq9_KKM4Qtbm0-fTiFm-AG2LrEjgXybnTr56Pm3c8OdsSj9gLu8eXZWIzcwC6-VL0WOlZHgFyLyWkQVDoR28ZZSPBaSve2_ic3HDl3LoA09QDp8wxZovuQqzM/s1600/Nugget+Falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEBTSozRJ91tkc3FBVsLq9_KKM4Qtbm0-fTiFm-AG2LrEjgXybnTr56Pm3c8OdsSj9gLu8eXZWIzcwC6-VL0WOlZHgFyLyWkQVDoR28ZZSPBaSve2_ic3HDl3LoA09QDp8wxZovuQqzM/s640/Nugget+Falls.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The water plunging over Nugget Creek Falls is melt from another glacier - Nugget Glacier. Nugget Falls is about 375 feet in height and since the spray could be felt from several hundred yards away, it is a good idea to bring a rain jacket along on this hike even if it isn't raining.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGJ5Dj8OXaBZqXXKiX0HM5m3wg1L8WA5JhVMkRwBxieWl2mgnjWVRSQEl21RJQxEeF_9d4fiuD28pXJlVega56zkVCvEM6nF-1Z8TyPlZJzqnSuN11t95BiyFNc3ERITZLTnmo3cHXWw/s1600/Mendenhall+glacier+-+up+close.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGJ5Dj8OXaBZqXXKiX0HM5m3wg1L8WA5JhVMkRwBxieWl2mgnjWVRSQEl21RJQxEeF_9d4fiuD28pXJlVega56zkVCvEM6nF-1Z8TyPlZJzqnSuN11t95BiyFNc3ERITZLTnmo3cHXWw/s640/Mendenhall+glacier+-+up+close.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier - Juneau, AK</td></tr>
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After viewing the glacier and falls and taking some photos we started back to the visitor center to try to make sure we had some time to look around before boarding the bus for the return trip to town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l8POAAX7bMYMgTNM1P2gIjMDlVxfUrAIZo728ek_ynoLS-OryhJOfOjh716aY_azg_BnqLKJoEe9tvVXKl128FZugEunauI9p5Qe75v3sOWxaY9AYPCyVrJD7jNyQhkII2MwlQGy6Go/s1600/Romeo+Memorial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3l8POAAX7bMYMgTNM1P2gIjMDlVxfUrAIZo728ek_ynoLS-OryhJOfOjh716aY_azg_BnqLKJoEe9tvVXKl128FZugEunauI9p5Qe75v3sOWxaY9AYPCyVrJD7jNyQhkII2MwlQGy6Go/s640/Romeo+Memorial.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romeo the Wolf Memorial</td></tr>
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Near the visitor center we saw this memorial placque on a rock that pays tribute to Romeo, a friendly wild wolf that was often seen in the area. I was curious to learn more and found the book, <u>A Wolf Called Romeo,</u> by Nick Jans that tells his story. A great read if you enjoy stories about animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh096YAEWFyLAZkiDgJoHwhYhtjqlHrUGo1iugHdQLDo7CISbGiNRKc6-w5a3FAg2z3hzXMYUUG1kY5T_AcYFvM42Zy4sBKN-QMy7fkrGeCpAA5rmzsTcxZAr0q3SVGiRkI-7sajNS_-SM/s1600/Mendenhall+Glacier+Visitor+Center.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh096YAEWFyLAZkiDgJoHwhYhtjqlHrUGo1iugHdQLDo7CISbGiNRKc6-w5a3FAg2z3hzXMYUUG1kY5T_AcYFvM42Zy4sBKN-QMy7fkrGeCpAA5rmzsTcxZAr0q3SVGiRkI-7sajNS_-SM/s640/Mendenhall+Glacier+Visitor+Center.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center</td></tr>
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The Mendenhall visitor center has an impressive location, perched atop a large boulder left behind from the retreat of the glacier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCwxt0r4TOLklxb-v9sKIPKWsKBBPlkmKz1nPHrUX4lZaQH7h6k343rce7wizeUtmUUGxoGcYx8vt_DRxrutbSNV1wudgrnV71z8FBUURM8q5DMYKudUwM4pBM6_BjxO6Zp6rI-ko9Fg/s1600/Mendenhall+Glacier+Interpretive+Information.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCwxt0r4TOLklxb-v9sKIPKWsKBBPlkmKz1nPHrUX4lZaQH7h6k343rce7wizeUtmUUGxoGcYx8vt_DRxrutbSNV1wudgrnV71z8FBUURM8q5DMYKudUwM4pBM6_BjxO6Zp6rI-ko9Fg/s640/Mendenhall+Glacier+Interpretive+Information.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside the visitor center was crowded, but the information about both glaciers in general and the Mendenhall Glacier specifically were very interesting and educational.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Display inside the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center</td></tr>
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The visitor center also had displays and information about the wildlife and ecology of the area.<br />
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Even though the weather was drippy, we wished we'd had more time to do more hiking on the numerous other trails around the glacier, but we wanted to get back into town to take a ride on the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-mount-roberts-tram-and-juneau-alaska.html" target="_blank">Mount Roberts Tramway</a> and do a bit of exploring in Juneau.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6szIHAL_FfdhAYuKMerfqEVC0NSc3-Oq6jP9ObPrWQwKa1VNawXFNUgU-Y_R2M_qooHmo4map0bTpAS_vVkm38647iApNoR3-VQpr1dwVmufqZgjmBqVpeOuxTu1PhX0o4hQltVYu10/s1600/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6szIHAL_FfdhAYuKMerfqEVC0NSc3-Oq6jP9ObPrWQwKa1VNawXFNUgU-Y_R2M_qooHmo4map0bTpAS_vVkm38647iApNoR3-VQpr1dwVmufqZgjmBqVpeOuxTu1PhX0o4hQltVYu10/s320/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/mount-eden-volcano/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration Link-up with Albom Adventures</a></td></tr>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-58690465590293509232015-10-07T06:23:00.002-07:002015-10-07T06:26:53.105-07:00An Alaska Cruise Adventure - At Sea<h2>
Day 2 - At Sea</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cruising Alaska - At Sea</td></tr>
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I must admit that the "at sea" days on a cruise are not my favorites. What I enjoy most about cruising is having the opportunity to explore a new place every day without figuring out transportation, finding a place to stay each night, unpacking, packing and dragging around luggage. The nice thing about this cruise to Alaska is that we only had one "at sea" day the day after we left Seattle. The scenery we passed was gorgeous and we were able to spot a few dolphins and whales. This one day "at sea" gave us time to explore the ship, participate in some shipboard activities and spend time with the family and friends in our group.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Westerdam Promeade Deck Laps</td></tr>
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After gulping down a cup of coffee from the buffet, I located the Promenade deck where I could walk laps for my morning walk. A handy sign provided the information about the distance so I started each day with six laps to get in at least two miles of walking every day.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztPuCgPDWxZR_wK95HBiY5Lc6M8yyAQ-AnRq8MZxq_zp8e2GPn2DtQyW_lU2CtJGtDLTO-wAgnfICmxMGfLUxg7fYCJNijdSQxf7sw1G6Q3vrjPo7SCwP6nGTMM8gxN3u48Q-PJDTNbo/s1600/Pilot+coming+aboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztPuCgPDWxZR_wK95HBiY5Lc6M8yyAQ-AnRq8MZxq_zp8e2GPn2DtQyW_lU2CtJGtDLTO-wAgnfICmxMGfLUxg7fYCJNijdSQxf7sw1G6Q3vrjPo7SCwP6nGTMM8gxN3u48Q-PJDTNbo/s640/Pilot+coming+aboard.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A small boat drops off a pilot on the Westerdam</td></tr>
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While doing my laps I watched for wildlife and saw a pilot embarking the ship. The Pacific Coast can be treacherous and the environment supports the important seafood industry, so to avoid oil spills many of the areas require a local pilot to board and steer the ship. While these transfers occur, the ship slows, but never stops as a small boat comes along side to drop off or pick-up a pilot.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75zG6NqEdnjR4Qk0WimrrC6xbyv3WH9LALdY6wMp5xgj290zYnDiuEpKThVgwit-31YFRTBvnWzXyTcgfUPz9GXSXjf2O5TNmaQK-nk1oEY3uhI1vyCnHEAfAcUTmKbSgaYvStB_KWcc/s1600/Stateroom+with+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75zG6NqEdnjR4Qk0WimrrC6xbyv3WH9LALdY6wMp5xgj290zYnDiuEpKThVgwit-31YFRTBvnWzXyTcgfUPz9GXSXjf2O5TNmaQK-nk1oEY3uhI1vyCnHEAfAcUTmKbSgaYvStB_KWcc/s640/Stateroom+with+window.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Stateroom with window on the Westerdam</td></tr>
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We stopped by the stateroom of one of our relatives who opted to get a standard stateroom with a window instead of a balcony stateroom.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRfP5hr1kESBrvyj0yzuPaBCcYLur8wv5r_0hXhvLX-pIwsl4BNWevHD2xsBoMdSTdm4QnokGF-CRpXFx7ujzO5VuQsww-PQ05b0w0Bur2RyDEDf41amLsExM9XcDgN01xq9E-gWgcg/s1600/Pingpong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdRfP5hr1kESBrvyj0yzuPaBCcYLur8wv5r_0hXhvLX-pIwsl4BNWevHD2xsBoMdSTdm4QnokGF-CRpXFx7ujzO5VuQsww-PQ05b0w0Bur2RyDEDf41amLsExM9XcDgN01xq9E-gWgcg/s320/Pingpong.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Ping Pong Tables on the Westerdam</td></tr>
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We spent most of the rest of our day around the pool, but also watched Dancing with the Stars at Sea played some ping pong and explored the rest of the ship .<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0xJxNI4s9j79_XlIsqj9QAr_ELoW8GKx60hagNh6gAdIygyprIQsxQB_Q9bLBQQnJCEoJLLT877_wfjLPQ1FWgkm04HPgGthrTuuceVdmu8GPXSFR-Did4cdr1LPkB7cbV8WhU_CNzc/s1600/Dinner+in+the+Dining+Room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0xJxNI4s9j79_XlIsqj9QAr_ELoW8GKx60hagNh6gAdIygyprIQsxQB_Q9bLBQQnJCEoJLLT877_wfjLPQ1FWgkm04HPgGthrTuuceVdmu8GPXSFR-Did4cdr1LPkB7cbV8WhU_CNzc/s400/Dinner+in+the+Dining+Room.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Westerdam Deck 2 Dining Room</td></tr>
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Our group had our own table in the dining room and were pampered by the friendly, attentive wait staff.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaN4k0GsAqGYWNA2Yq8EJqXQ6Gs047CinDT7E4rkk9b2AjIqvhGedMupKv1e-KOJCajxtqeYDtt9fnh0PqKHR4eVzd0Spo8HFAm37f9IkiTTjwHGaI5lz_7yN63E9n4ShE653v5s5QbM/s1600/Evening+Entertainment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaN4k0GsAqGYWNA2Yq8EJqXQ6Gs047CinDT7E4rkk9b2AjIqvhGedMupKv1e-KOJCajxtqeYDtt9fnh0PqKHR4eVzd0Spo8HFAm37f9IkiTTjwHGaI5lz_7yN63E9n4ShE653v5s5QbM/s400/Evening+Entertainment.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Evening Entertainment on the Westerdam</td></tr>
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We ended our day by watching the evening show featuring the ship's regular entertainers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxwT2vvWuPv9Ka6ta_ThcKWNiPkV2rOI-fmf6PQeWt4vfFSDtMbU4acDDucuqOIuAWkmjf5obe5XJ1P1v15Lb5aW8GvrQssP_6RRcFD0E0dMwQnjd1TJ0iNbbN_UIsXlHCvAxGg2jeeQ/s1600/Towel+Critter+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxwT2vvWuPv9Ka6ta_ThcKWNiPkV2rOI-fmf6PQeWt4vfFSDtMbU4acDDucuqOIuAWkmjf5obe5XJ1P1v15Lb5aW8GvrQssP_6RRcFD0E0dMwQnjd1TJ0iNbbN_UIsXlHCvAxGg2jeeQ/s640/Towel+Critter+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And when we arrived back in our room we found a towel critter on the bed.<br />
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The next installment will be about our first port of call - Juneau.Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-60239993583897339662015-10-04T03:51:00.000-07:002019-01-06T13:01:54.154-08:00An Alaska Cruise Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Probably like many people, taking a cruise to Alaska was definitely on my travel bucket list. This year we (my husband and I) were fortunate to be able to take a 7 night round trip cruise from Seattle to Glacier Bay, Alaska on the <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-6751650-10931188-1433363730000?sid=Alaska+Cruise" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holland America</a> Westerdam. Making it even more fun, we went with a group of family members and friends.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Day 1 - Boarding and Departure from Seattle</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38KVyi3rRGokceUmWUPT6_e1qHpjPRlbO9OZo2wpFpV4R1_Zr2pUA1Nlh9QxSJWkTLEoHfh7x2d9TYuo8hbzPVOvB4gL5I-Z84kJPsdIFQLjewvQSSKsH72pC1sFiwvQDeuvZoNNeX4/s1600/Holland+America+Westerdam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc38KVyi3rRGokceUmWUPT6_e1qHpjPRlbO9OZo2wpFpV4R1_Zr2pUA1Nlh9QxSJWkTLEoHfh7x2d9TYuo8hbzPVOvB4gL5I-Z84kJPsdIFQLjewvQSSKsH72pC1sFiwvQDeuvZoNNeX4/s640/Holland+America+Westerdam.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-6751650-10482597-1433363730000?sid=Alaska+Cruise" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holland America Westerdam Cruise to Alaska</a></td></tr>
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We began our voyage at the Smith Cove (Pier 91) Cruise Terminal in Seattle. For those sailing from Seattle, be aware that Seattle has two cruise terminals, Pier 91 and Pier 66. Currently the Pier 91 dock is used by Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean. The Bell Street Terminal (Pier 66) is the dock used by Norwegian and Oceania Cruise Lines. Alaska cruises are only offered from May through September, so it is a good idea to <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-6751650-8331063-1433363730000?sid=Alaska" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">book early</a> before the ships are sold out. The number of ships that are allowed into Glacier Bay is limited, so we booked our cruise a year before our departure. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98mQX2ZnD9mUNR5GK8FJZrHfqIpmUNttEd82AK5_EDATyPRyjyq1k_VHAeTaEtpK_dAUWX7twf3oAosrggflabCdikoIANV_MfEP9gnCetrAru0o7jRPDmIYYA8hpH3KU4-7NYXDIueQ/s1600/Pier+91+Cruise+Port.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98mQX2ZnD9mUNR5GK8FJZrHfqIpmUNttEd82AK5_EDATyPRyjyq1k_VHAeTaEtpK_dAUWX7twf3oAosrggflabCdikoIANV_MfEP9gnCetrAru0o7jRPDmIYYA8hpH3KU4-7NYXDIueQ/s640/Pier+91+Cruise+Port.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pier 91 Smith Cove Cruise Ship Terminal - Seattle, WA</td></tr>
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We live in the Pacific Northwest, making it easy to get to the Seattle Cruise Terminal. For those who are arriving from further away, to avoid any anxiety from travel delays or canceled flights, I would plan on arriving in Seattle the day before the cruise departs. We did some research to help several in our group locate lodging with free parking during the cruise and a shuttle to the cruise ship terminal. We found the best deal at the <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Cruise%20to%20Alaska/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58791-d254928-Reviews-Comfort_Suites_Airport_Tukwila-Tukwila_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Comfort Suites Airport Tukwila</a> and our relatives who stayed there said that although it isn't a luxury property, it was clean and comfortable. Some of the other hotels offering park and cruise packages include: <br />
<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Cruise%20to%20Alaska/http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g58732-d217803-r286607745-Crowne_Plaza_Seattle_Airport-SeaTac_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Crown Plaza SeaTac</a><br />
<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Cruise%20to%20Alaska/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58732-d2460074-Reviews-Hampton_Inn_and_Suites_Seattle_Airport_28th_Ave-SeaTac_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hamtpon Inn and Suites Seattle Airport</a><br />
<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/sid/Cruise%20to%20Alaska/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58732-d100615-Reviews-Quality_Inn_Sea_Tac_Airport-SeaTac_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quality Inn SeaTac Airport</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwOQrgjYnW-98qTZ4NiveI0JN8kt-EsAT-bjxBd6TkerHMPutoqQ9IFRJQVVzCafmuVcpKPUaiKQF_Gsavw3XYeFStu4oiUhrLVn_RJWxZ96pZsSNoa9VaHEaiRB4WPFjNmBrQXyckOg/s1600/Shuttle+from+the+Parking+lot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwOQrgjYnW-98qTZ4NiveI0JN8kt-EsAT-bjxBd6TkerHMPutoqQ9IFRJQVVzCafmuVcpKPUaiKQF_Gsavw3XYeFStu4oiUhrLVn_RJWxZ96pZsSNoa9VaHEaiRB4WPFjNmBrQXyckOg/s640/Shuttle+from+the+Parking+lot.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruise Ship Terminal Parking Shuttle</td></tr>
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We were given a ride to the cruise ship terminal by our daughter and she wanted to see us off so she found a parking space in the Port of Seattle parking lot a short distance away from the dock. Then we boarded one of the free shuttle vans that transport passengers from the parking lot to the boarding dock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vu_f5aowmupEYEa8mv4jLtueqGgIfmams00XgId2dP2vF6606xt1ZgP4fvWqJ47XxYstufoTuS-iKZMOPs0G17_dQxLNcQQqOjPUiW4HzQMa86MBqnGdiI8hItFzCjEKsW3Vo0Sv62s/s1600/Westerdam+at+Pier+in+Seattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vu_f5aowmupEYEa8mv4jLtueqGgIfmams00XgId2dP2vF6606xt1ZgP4fvWqJ47XxYstufoTuS-iKZMOPs0G17_dQxLNcQQqOjPUiW4HzQMa86MBqnGdiI8hItFzCjEKsW3Vo0Sv62s/s640/Westerdam+at+Pier+in+Seattle.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland America Westerdam docked at Pier 91 in Seattle</td></tr>
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We had checked in online and printed out our boarding passes and luggage tags the day before our departure by logging into our account on Holland America's website. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWsSrMU5Sb0WKyztwwoXVZou-xohJyFSsvcK1dsm3U0JN0EkiiwHh9c-DrlLcl7J6A9efZSPJU93pzkrq6YEPwDl3xdDhhaGfJ9oFAhAKpKfYEk9op1cB-mL-AC7ZEj4cl3EiJ1EQvRE/s1600/Luggage+tag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWsSrMU5Sb0WKyztwwoXVZou-xohJyFSsvcK1dsm3U0JN0EkiiwHh9c-DrlLcl7J6A9efZSPJU93pzkrq6YEPwDl3xdDhhaGfJ9oFAhAKpKfYEk9op1cB-mL-AC7ZEj4cl3EiJ1EQvRE/s640/Luggage+tag.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holland America Luggage Tag</td></tr>
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The first thing we were directed to do as we entered the cruise ship terminal was to drop off our luggage with the pre-printed tags including our name and ship cabin number securely attached.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jx7TtovsbKbJiw1oMYGQsIFrwx-mR0q3p7YLn0TC2oDcUTS_Tv_a0qHMTrVmlnWfjmzvUOJn3j0fJNQ8IKBJC5ARKtJUhmn_S0TXbOpYVcznT8QLKVnUpUQvKs0oT2oTjo0iHaVw-TA/s1600/luggage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jx7TtovsbKbJiw1oMYGQsIFrwx-mR0q3p7YLn0TC2oDcUTS_Tv_a0qHMTrVmlnWfjmzvUOJn3j0fJNQ8IKBJC5ARKtJUhmn_S0TXbOpYVcznT8QLKVnUpUQvKs0oT2oTjo0iHaVw-TA/s640/luggage.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luggage at the Seattle Smith Cove Cruise Ship Terminal</td></tr>
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Although a <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=u5gSYs0n6aI&offerid=140795.10000043&type=4&subid=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">passport</a> is not technically required for US citizens on a "closed loop" cruise, it is highly recommended that ship passengers <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=u5gSYs0n6aI&offerid=140795.10000043&type=4&subid=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">obtain a US Passport</a> to prevent delays and potential problems.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGjqq384iPbdlHjA5IzHUaESPRtYAAHQQYv4u7FQp4U9eC7404B2mfpcyYC_H7a3KzofdJutgXoAMGcbbd0CDQkBFHbcy1N8ITVK61nkJOpCNP_yBePKp_d0eWm2YSYWMKTqzokrIBq0/s1600/US+Passport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGjqq384iPbdlHjA5IzHUaESPRtYAAHQQYv4u7FQp4U9eC7404B2mfpcyYC_H7a3KzofdJutgXoAMGcbbd0CDQkBFHbcy1N8ITVK61nkJOpCNP_yBePKp_d0eWm2YSYWMKTqzokrIBq0/s320/US+Passport.JPG" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Passport</td></tr>
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After moving through several check points where our boarding passes and ID were checked, we finally had our photo taken, were issued our ship ID cards and boarded the Westerdam. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKuJ24EhDxWC6ZD68NBQxm9RnRfwbAkrSwuQzBSqz6PPOGUC7vrICyQHrfYiAWtnjlJazBBh2fHfJjsRTvxwL9TFy9707daDojwUA4iWGneYbOBsXmn6yKTZ07jePdvjKiartC36sshI/s1600/cruise+ship+ID+card.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKuJ24EhDxWC6ZD68NBQxm9RnRfwbAkrSwuQzBSqz6PPOGUC7vrICyQHrfYiAWtnjlJazBBh2fHfJjsRTvxwL9TFy9707daDojwUA4iWGneYbOBsXmn6yKTZ07jePdvjKiartC36sshI/s320/cruise+ship+ID+card.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
These ID cards also serve as the stateroom entry key card, have information about your life boat station, dining room location and time. Your ID card is scanned when leaving or boarding the ship. The ship ID card is also used in lieu of payment for all purchases on board the ship and then you are presented with your bill at the end of the cruise. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7VE1yPGfpXVDMzMcMSd5bTBPUnNt92c1bmDT2P1y9U7L2u5OaMfjIH1Ojw44PUySfcNGwKCMlLgTIGfb5q11wZyq6XmwkaX2LUBX-qA4k0-nPX1lhvwFKu9VnUqUBrjFjIkyiwpjjUE/s1600/Westerdam+Pool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7VE1yPGfpXVDMzMcMSd5bTBPUnNt92c1bmDT2P1y9U7L2u5OaMfjIH1Ojw44PUySfcNGwKCMlLgTIGfb5q11wZyq6XmwkaX2LUBX-qA4k0-nPX1lhvwFKu9VnUqUBrjFjIkyiwpjjUE/s640/Westerdam+Pool.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A swimming pool on the Westerdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lunch was being served when we boarded, so we grabbed some food at the buffet on the Lido Deck and ate at a table by a window near the pool. <br />
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After finishing our lunch, we went to our stateroom, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was ready and our luggage had already been delivered. The last time I went on a cruise it was several hours before our room was ready and several more hours before our luggage arrived.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJOKp0i5XJlOhSG5Y2g7hCCx4nWpWHLFK8idjcCBLDu9pTxoBgvETKtbCzkn6yHUKxNLeReIL-I6mBEVQt6RZpa2bt7Wm8vQuZb825Abt0p-8-H7y7qHNmUFwQcDF1wYCgaWDsbOj1IA/s1600/Stateroom+8113+on+the+Westerdam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJOKp0i5XJlOhSG5Y2g7hCCx4nWpWHLFK8idjcCBLDu9pTxoBgvETKtbCzkn6yHUKxNLeReIL-I6mBEVQt6RZpa2bt7Wm8vQuZb825Abt0p-8-H7y7qHNmUFwQcDF1wYCgaWDsbOj1IA/s640/Stateroom+8113+on+the+Westerdam.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabin #8113 on the Holland America Westerdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We booked a balcony room - #8113. I had indicated in the room booking that we wanted the beds configured into one so when our cabin steward stopped by to introduce himself and to ask if we needed anything, we told him it was no hurry, but we'd like the twin beds to be put together. When we arrived back after dinner, they had been put together to make a single queen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe37CHaH-FuIbg_D5hwjE7buxAN4rGBnX8yODNxurGduQeh1kYYsXzLgHDd_Fo3iszmPNKOXGlevyMPRNsVH-LNCKaorEF-pekKPgHB_iqrI4pD6-WkRaUWzsp6yBdgZK97qlIuXt2aw/s1600/sleeper+sofa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbe37CHaH-FuIbg_D5hwjE7buxAN4rGBnX8yODNxurGduQeh1kYYsXzLgHDd_Fo3iszmPNKOXGlevyMPRNsVH-LNCKaorEF-pekKPgHB_iqrI4pD6-WkRaUWzsp6yBdgZK97qlIuXt2aw/s640/sleeper+sofa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sofa Sleeper on the Westerdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We brought our granddaughter along with us, so the cabin included a sofa that converted into a bed for her. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoJUODeZBSDKQPBETo8zeEsU19hSySXYV6je0zfY2deJ6DRmb1cuKo3bLfidVWqDqe4BqXHQ0dzrzQ5It-OjPNNB0-2JbUqsKVi9pBeAzg0Je8ltlnwAhMwQ4cpKh6I-GQv23G4-TeBI/s1600/Bathroom+on+the+Westerdam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoJUODeZBSDKQPBETo8zeEsU19hSySXYV6je0zfY2deJ6DRmb1cuKo3bLfidVWqDqe4BqXHQ0dzrzQ5It-OjPNNB0-2JbUqsKVi9pBeAzg0Je8ltlnwAhMwQ4cpKh6I-GQv23G4-TeBI/s640/Bathroom+on+the+Westerdam.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Westerdam Bathroom </td></tr>
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The bathroom, not unexpectedly, was small, but clean. After checking out our room, it was time to go to our station for the life boat drill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2RNc7jJuiD_Au06UU1qyhxAx9t4lb0F_B1pLS23TCdf7ICbSBvJZIsjUHFtP4AqAvJUcTrj3qApbeOxY-GbOTsAsLCBwzKiBG4Zk0wdOiEl0T4nPz6OwgriC79vYCC-rDhecjsDA3hw/s1600/Goodbye+Seattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2RNc7jJuiD_Au06UU1qyhxAx9t4lb0F_B1pLS23TCdf7ICbSBvJZIsjUHFtP4AqAvJUcTrj3qApbeOxY-GbOTsAsLCBwzKiBG4Zk0wdOiEl0T4nPz6OwgriC79vYCC-rDhecjsDA3hw/s640/Goodbye+Seattle.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departing the Smith Cove Cruise Terminal - Seattle, WA</td></tr>
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After the drill was completed we made our way back to the stern on the Lido Deck to watch as the ship departed from Seattle. I'll be posting more about our adventures.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Here is a link to our activities on <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-alaska-cruise-adventure-at-sea.html" target="_blank">Day 2 - At Sea</a></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd4d4thLRjuOc0BvzVwoR787keUwPE366I4JHmeHeVZ6TjMY9REHzzBXSsfm3ld_lIQwGUh4iIdNXbaMUO4Y1tMS4hXTFRdK9XP5VVJNEUFN8b_bRDM9wO4c7ApetrXLOStrHuIecTSY/s1600/At+Sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgd4d4thLRjuOc0BvzVwoR787keUwPE366I4JHmeHeVZ6TjMY9REHzzBXSsfm3ld_lIQwGUh4iIdNXbaMUO4Y1tMS4hXTFRdK9XP5VVJNEUFN8b_bRDM9wO4c7ApetrXLOStrHuIecTSY/s640/At+Sea.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/an-alaska-cruise-adventure-at-sea.html" target="_blank">Cruise to Alaska on the Westerdam - at Sea</a></td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Day 3 - Juneau Alaska</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9dbkcw-KTSFeEcnQ1vXXfcre8U5uC23Cddp5MrFa87WZG2cjC8ArSCnjw1F7xxvCz8xjeLfGlAMBeGhsMebdQSVD0eZE44710T2rLfKSTVKf5QvgJIsMR8ZHr_JlycbyI-TS6uW5dYU/s1600/Welcome+to+Juneau+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9dbkcw-KTSFeEcnQ1vXXfcre8U5uC23Cddp5MrFa87WZG2cjC8ArSCnjw1F7xxvCz8xjeLfGlAMBeGhsMebdQSVD0eZE44710T2rLfKSTVKf5QvgJIsMR8ZHr_JlycbyI-TS6uW5dYU/s640/Welcome+to+Juneau+Sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Juneau </td></tr>
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<div>
<h3>
Here are the links to the stories about our adventures in Juneau:</h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/mendenhall-glacier-juneau-alaska.html" target="_blank">Mendenhall Glacier</a></h3>
<h2>
<div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">
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<h3 style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-mount-roberts-tram-and-juneau-alaska.html" target="_blank">Mount Roberts Tram</a></h3>
<h2>
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/cruising-glacier-bay-alaska.html" target="_blank"> Check out all of the photos of Day 4 - Cruising Glacier Bay</a></h2>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj0qaspHI4y-NJWG18i-W7wGzDx5yCXjAqAIGXgFTOoHwjFm31ml7ne8uZxZg3a_O6lJA3t2LR65hlNV5xPhKa9CHn700QAvVKWY0E2luXiAj_SFFcfA2LjA2LwT377bzfLMMNdtrKw4/s1600/Johns+Hopkins+Glacier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXj0qaspHI4y-NJWG18i-W7wGzDx5yCXjAqAIGXgFTOoHwjFm31ml7ne8uZxZg3a_O6lJA3t2LR65hlNV5xPhKa9CHn700QAvVKWY0E2luXiAj_SFFcfA2LjA2LwT377bzfLMMNdtrKw4/s640/Johns+Hopkins+Glacier.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/cruising-glacier-bay-alaska.html" target="_blank">Glacier Bay, Alaska</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Day 5 - Sitka </h2>
</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE59MAUV0LpAWZx127qUuyKF5OncPcMhQ8TqTs2nSF_6eSXBvFlFmLJVgiTyOx1PnfCGoQPO10UZkLL3sYwOQ7SgwteilDCodvsCO1t2awOrPDt4z_KQ7evpZ8eq9gIVmL3yt8ikSTus/s1600/Welcome+to+Sitka+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBE59MAUV0LpAWZx127qUuyKF5OncPcMhQ8TqTs2nSF_6eSXBvFlFmLJVgiTyOx1PnfCGoQPO10UZkLL3sYwOQ7SgwteilDCodvsCO1t2awOrPDt4z_KQ7evpZ8eq9gIVmL3yt8ikSTus/s640/Welcome+to+Sitka+Sign.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The stop in Sitka gave us the most hours for exploration of any of our ports of call. We had about 7 hours so signed up for a 5 hour excursion called Otters, Raptors and Bears, Oh My! The tour consisted of three parts including a boat trip to look for otters and other sea life, a stop at the Alaska Raptor Center and a visit to The Fortress of the Bear. We also had a little time to some walking around town before our departure. Below are the details about each part of our day in Sitka.<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/10/you-otter-like-this-excursion-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">You Otter Like this Excursion</a></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-alaska-raptor-center-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">The Alaska Raptor Center</a></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/fortress-of-bear-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">The Fortress of the Bear</a></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/11/a-short-walking-tour-of-sitka-ak.html" target="_blank">A Short Walking Tour of Sitka</a></h3>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Day 6 - Ketchikan</h2>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAbnW2vC_LiRm88XZFHdZ_Lhm6gjRPCHaZfBkzwjWKRiOyQGpzB0ALE9eU9oWITwJE1tpG_WxrUiQEX70h5qrZoMAT4GvhUiWiT0U5d6UepVZ4uBHorSGFVzIdHxAYOErevgElzIdT_I/s1600/Ketchikan+harbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAbnW2vC_LiRm88XZFHdZ_Lhm6gjRPCHaZfBkzwjWKRiOyQGpzB0ALE9eU9oWITwJE1tpG_WxrUiQEX70h5qrZoMAT4GvhUiWiT0U5d6UepVZ4uBHorSGFVzIdHxAYOErevgElzIdT_I/s640/Ketchikan+harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ketchikan Harbor, Ketchikan Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
After traveling through the night, we arrived in the harbor of Ketchikan early in the morning as the sun was rising. Yes, the sun, woo hoo! After the boat docked we only had about 5 hours on shore, so we decided not to schedule too much to allow ourselves time to walk around the town at our own pace. Here are the links to our adventures in Ketchikan:</div>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2016/01/great-alaskan-lumberjack-show-ketchikan.html" target="_blank">The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show</a></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2016/01/five-hours-in-ketchikan-ak.html" target="_blank">Five Hours in Ketchikan</a></h3>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Day 7 - Victoria, BC Canada</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9iMSJNgSsyAnrCVSK5IDJHKUylvkkAoe9FnMyVgIby4Rqvr2pRyW6cNxQdsI7M0m3Aqs5i3-G_J2lguB5UHQRMpd6CClIbyp6x_aUKxUyhDshIoFJZbShRtb4F8MhyphenhyphenEPD2m1z2s41eY/s1600/Welcome+to+Victoria+Harbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9iMSJNgSsyAnrCVSK5IDJHKUylvkkAoe9FnMyVgIby4Rqvr2pRyW6cNxQdsI7M0m3Aqs5i3-G_J2lguB5UHQRMpd6CClIbyp6x_aUKxUyhDshIoFJZbShRtb4F8MhyphenhyphenEPD2m1z2s41eY/s640/Welcome+to+Victoria+Harbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria British Columbia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The final stop on our cruise was Victoria, British Columbia. Below is the link to the page with the details:</div>
<h3>
<a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-evening-in-victoria-bc.html" target="_blank">An Evening in Victoria, British Columbia</a></h3>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Some helpful resources to help you get the most out of your Alaska cruise:</h2>
<div>
If you enjoy taking some time to walk around the towns in each port of call on an inside passage cruise, I recommend this handy walking tour guide book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615451403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615451403&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=4CARBOGFQML74NBV" rel="nofollow">Inside Passage Walking Tours: Exploring Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pnwtravelsandtails-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615451403" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />, by Julianne Chase Patton.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615451403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615451403&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=TB6TDHJBL4S2IDG2" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0615451403&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615451403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615451403&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=4CARBOGFQML74NBV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inside Passage Walking Tours: Exploring Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pnwtravelsandtails-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615451403" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It includes walking tours for all of the Alaskan towns where the cruise ships stop in one book.</div>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com1Alaska, USA64.2008413 -149.493673330.380544799999996 127.88913919999999 90 -66.876485800000012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-86678107077377012752015-09-13T09:13:00.004-07:002015-10-27T05:05:10.242-07:00The Woodinville Washington Wine Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a recent sunny summer day I had the pleasure of taking a Woodinville Washington wine tasting tour. Although I've visited several of the wineries before, the last time was several years ago and I was amazed at how many new wineries have been added. With a total of around 100 wine tasting rooms, I obviously couldn't visit all of them in one day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery - Woodinville, WA<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The grapes for Washington wines are grown in vineyards east of the Cascade Mountain Range in the more arid part of the state, but many of the wineries have opened tasting rooms in the Woodinville area to bring the wine closer to Seattle and the more densely populated Puget Sound region.</span></div>
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Where is the Woodinville Wine Country?</h3>
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No visit to the Woodinville Wine Country is complete without stopping by the gorgeous grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grape vines in Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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Although the beautiful grounds of Ste Michelle have grapes growing, they are for landscaping effect only and not used to make wine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau Ste. Michelle Tasting Room - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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Built in 1976 on the estate formerly owned by Pacific Northwest Timber Baron Frederick Stimson, Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington State's oldest winery and was also the first to have a presence in the Woodinville area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia Winery Entrance</td></tr>
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Right across the road from Chateau Ste. Michelle is the entrance to Columbia Winery, another of the first wineries to locate in the Woodinville area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia Winery - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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Columbia's grounds and tasting room are lovely as well, although instead of a brick-covered French Country Estate, the building is more in a light and airy Cape Cod style.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood Schoolhouse</td></tr>
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The old Hollywood School building is home to several winery tasting rooms and is rented out for events including weddings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3G-7EhAgicg6c8QMcgZv_c2FA-mrpKLk2i2bkH2jOt00ZfPMMPJp7RLCQf1mLHUFVns9mRMmFpRKFV0WoQdF34crXCzpfXvjTbmVf3vSIh3lRuujAr9ERCN3vnY5b1XdViX23kIFwn4/s1600/Alexandria+Nicole+Cellars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3G-7EhAgicg6c8QMcgZv_c2FA-mrpKLk2i2bkH2jOt00ZfPMMPJp7RLCQf1mLHUFVns9mRMmFpRKFV0WoQdF34crXCzpfXvjTbmVf3vSIh3lRuujAr9ERCN3vnY5b1XdViX23kIFwn4/s640/Alexandria+Nicole+Cellars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandria Nicole Cellars</td></tr>
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Among the wineries in the Hollywood School complex is the Alexandria Nicole Cellars.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapRPeTv68Qpi3DrztK2ApYiaPfTRGMt02uvxxdEnZMyqDYZo4FyYJ8tg3XctpznmKR0K3JKmjfcNCsXtvLHGM8l-FTfePLPeQEc7PcE7mimIX35-1UitMxNyH7bxRzh_OI1SZ5QVZyzE/s1600/Gorman+Winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapRPeTv68Qpi3DrztK2ApYiaPfTRGMt02uvxxdEnZMyqDYZo4FyYJ8tg3XctpznmKR0K3JKmjfcNCsXtvLHGM8l-FTfePLPeQEc7PcE7mimIX35-1UitMxNyH7bxRzh_OI1SZ5QVZyzE/s640/Gorman+Winery.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorman Winery</td></tr>
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Across the street from Hollywood Schoolhouse is the Gorman winery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt_3jHYK8RoWfP91oVHnrJrSB5Ry0Kj534o8fd-Ocx_c7yoMFG8WykNj3KlVlNscSQNZK5eK2VNpLfYaiiiBsgFvQ5gY_cH8opsmZ6wnvWWwLLtD0OaerVtTSfVph0h7_2FY3KrNcCwA/s1600/Mark+Ryan+Cellars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt_3jHYK8RoWfP91oVHnrJrSB5Ry0Kj534o8fd-Ocx_c7yoMFG8WykNj3KlVlNscSQNZK5eK2VNpLfYaiiiBsgFvQ5gY_cH8opsmZ6wnvWWwLLtD0OaerVtTSfVph0h7_2FY3KrNcCwA/s640/Mark+Ryan+Cellars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark Ryan Winery</td></tr>
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Kitty-corner from Hollywood School is a strip mall that includes several more tasting rooms including Mark Ryan Winery.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6RNkDTltp5_SdA2tBQcrRRhBEfGiW2c2UAUu6B9-WYdUIRb9nK2_AnoM9BO8jsNk-ABQ5ZX6OFQBc5PBZD7SaK89GJCCw5PRXBoEZY_VUOvApYr2onQZ1ofDz8bb9d13Qmgts_kK1V4/s1600/Sparkman+Cellars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6RNkDTltp5_SdA2tBQcrRRhBEfGiW2c2UAUu6B9-WYdUIRb9nK2_AnoM9BO8jsNk-ABQ5ZX6OFQBc5PBZD7SaK89GJCCw5PRXBoEZY_VUOvApYr2onQZ1ofDz8bb9d13Qmgts_kK1V4/s640/Sparkman+Cellars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparkman Cellars Tasting Room - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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Sparkman Cellars.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYQcFqcNn1ddrK3HoC9qD8BYowGOzKaxDde0bSW3EX1HagQ9YLhkGnwtmrB1SpecAtz83trJITleZLFI8HZbfcN5EgX5F5G9tdhDujkZgVt7NwXtXbilmPblNvPMVWer64VX_l1p2t08/s1600/DeLille+Cellars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYQcFqcNn1ddrK3HoC9qD8BYowGOzKaxDde0bSW3EX1HagQ9YLhkGnwtmrB1SpecAtz83trJITleZLFI8HZbfcN5EgX5F5G9tdhDujkZgVt7NwXtXbilmPblNvPMVWer64VX_l1p2t08/s640/DeLille+Cellars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DeLille Cellars - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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and DeLille Cellars. There are numerous other winery tasting rooms along and near Highway 202 - also known as the Woodinville-Redmond Road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eA84e6WOqh_b9sx7HnQBvapOH-obEczTmafk6JRUGgbsFNZOlggCyAqTSxi41sDoDpaxYwu15AtxdN5UkIA9dKTA4dgBb_9YY3MhLJM1-ohyfZDcrtG_IWtOeEqeFpbTSHiG_crPKp0/s1600/Mattthews+Cellars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eA84e6WOqh_b9sx7HnQBvapOH-obEczTmafk6JRUGgbsFNZOlggCyAqTSxi41sDoDpaxYwu15AtxdN5UkIA9dKTA4dgBb_9YY3MhLJM1-ohyfZDcrtG_IWtOeEqeFpbTSHiG_crPKp0/s640/Mattthews+Cellars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthews Winery Tasting Room - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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The Matthews Winery tasting room may not have as an impressive exterior, but don't let the outside deter you from stopping. Inside you can taste some of Washington's best Bordeaux-style wines. <br />
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To enjoy a day of wine tasting in Woodinville, it is essential to have a designated driver, hire a cab or town car driver or sign up for a <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~96s8" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woodinville Wine Country Tour</a>. Tour operators pick up and return guests to most hotels in downtown Seattle. For those who would prefer overnight accommodations in the the more pastoral Woodinville, <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58835-d126092-Reviews-Willows_Lodge-Woodinville_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Willows Lodge</a> offers a convenient wine tour guest package.<br />
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For those taking a cruise with a departure, arrival or stop in Seattle, a tour of the <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=360104&b=132440&m=18208&afftrack=&urllink=www%2Eviator%2Ecom%2Ftours%2FSeattle%2FSeattle%2DShore%2DExcursion%2DSmall%2DGroup%2DWine%2DTasting%2DTour%2Dthrough%2DWoodinville%2Fd704%2D5412PRTSEAWINE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Woodinville Wine Country can easily be booked as a shore excursion</a> with convenient pick-up and return to the cruise ship dock.<br />
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For RVers, the nearest RV Park is <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6751650/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58362-d8356879-Reviews-Lake_Pleasant_RV_Park-Bothell_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lake Pleasant RV Park</a> about 5 miles away in Bothell, WA.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redhook Brewery - Woodinville, WA</td></tr>
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If you would rather drink beer, nearby Redhook Brewery offers tours and beer tasting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPCTdB7LMfX5fmtRZChpJTiPBFgJukQMlUEsimvBWgZPo5VB_bQjMVzL5aUUjNI68uhGMCS6zKI0ZCE4RPyJUe_h6UY3qNq6vnQGpk49lW0cH2m8KlSKfr_36Ypkjx6b3tgY7b_nFWmY/s1600/Woodinville+Whiskey+Company.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPCTdB7LMfX5fmtRZChpJTiPBFgJukQMlUEsimvBWgZPo5VB_bQjMVzL5aUUjNI68uhGMCS6zKI0ZCE4RPyJUe_h6UY3qNq6vnQGpk49lW0cH2m8KlSKfr_36Ypkjx6b3tgY7b_nFWmY/s640/Woodinville+Whiskey+Company.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodinville Whiskey Company - Woodinville, WA </td></tr>
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Or, if you prefer whiskey, the Woodinville Whiskey Company is one of several distillers offering tours and tastings, too.<br />
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After stopping at about 6 wineries I skipped the whiskey and beer and had my designated driver take me back home to take a nap! Obviously I will need to take a few more tours to hit all of the wineries. Have you been to the Woodinville Wine Country? Feel free to share your favorite winery to help me prioritize which ones to visit next time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/steampunk-convention/" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Weekend Travel Inspiration" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6szIHAL_FfdhAYuKMerfqEVC0NSc3-Oq6jP9ObPrWQwKa1VNawXFNUgU-Y_R2M_qooHmo4map0bTpAS_vVkm38647iApNoR3-VQpr1dwVmufqZgjmBqVpeOuxTu1PhX0o4hQltVYu10/s320/Weekend-Travel-Inspiration1.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/steampunk-convention/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></td></tr>
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<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/" title="Travel Notes & Beyond"><img alt="Travel Notes & Beyond" src="http://www.travelnotesandbeyond.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/wekpost1-e1432530947416.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-71674265060499948732015-07-31T04:57:00.000-07:002015-08-01T02:45:00.189-07:00Camping at Deception Pass State ParkWashington State has a fantastic system of state parks and Deception State Park is one of the largest, oldest and most popular. My first memories of the park are from camping trips with my parents when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s and it remains one of my favorite camping places. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass Bridge and Deception Pass State Park</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Where is Deception Pass?</h3>
Deception Pass State Park is about 80 miles north of Seattle via either I-5 or by taking the <a href="http://pacific-nw-travels-and-tails.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-visit-to-mukilteo-lighthouse.html" target="_blank">Mukilteo</a> - Clinton Ferry and then driving north the length of Whidbey Island. <br />
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Personally, I recommend driving north on I-5 because of both the cost and time spent taking the ferry. Although the ferry ride itself is short the waiting times to board the ferry, especially on weekends, can be long. <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
The Deception Pass Bridge</h3>
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Completed in 1935, the Deception Pass Bridge was funded by the WPA and built with the help of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The bridge is actually two spans which connect Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. The north bridge crosses Canoe Pass which separates Fidalgo Island and tiny Pass Island and the south bridge spans Deception Pass which separates Pass Island and Whidbey Island. There are several turn-outs on the curving road on the Fidalgo Island side near the approach to the bridge that provide good vantage points to see the bridge, but they are small and often full on a weekend or summer day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7wthQlLo1ka974zLOuDQN7BQ6ONxUlQsyBmFP_Z0tlsU_CbfEWPqHuKCYbDJd7h_qy7cGoRtwe2RfHKXHf3N4wFks-miLj2u5phGgTCky9l36zOgBd8_R-GuLWXgaxcKDfK0-kBN8IU/s1600/Deception+Pass+View+of+the+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7wthQlLo1ka974zLOuDQN7BQ6ONxUlQsyBmFP_Z0tlsU_CbfEWPqHuKCYbDJd7h_qy7cGoRtwe2RfHKXHf3N4wFks-miLj2u5phGgTCky9l36zOgBd8_R-GuLWXgaxcKDfK0-kBN8IU/s640/Deception+Pass+View+of+the+Bridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass Island and the Deception Pass Bridge - Photo credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deceptionpass_bridge2.jpg#/media/File:Deceptionpass_bridge2.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"Deceptionpass bridge2</a>" by Jet Lowe - Historic American Engineering Record, Library of Congress - Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons </td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Deception Pass Bridge Facts</h3>
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<ul>
<li>Built in 1934-1935 with funding from the WPA</li>
<li>Opened July 31, 1935</li>
<li>Height from water to the bridge deck: about 180 feet, depending on the tide</li>
<li>Road - State Highway 20 with two 11-foot lanes, one in each direction</li>
<li>Pedestrian Access: There is a 3 foot sidewalk on each side </li>
<li>Bridge Width: 28 feet</li>
<li>Total Bridge length (both spans): 1487 feet </li>
<li>Number of Vehicle crossings: an average of 20,000 per day</li>
<li>Cost of Construction: $482,000</li>
<li>In 1982 the bridge was designated as a historical landmark</li>
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The swirling waters below the bridge are even more treacherous than they appear. During ebb and flow tides the water travels through at over 9 miles per hour and has has numerous small islands and submerged rocks that cause dangerous eddies. Traveling through the pass in a boat is not recommended for anyone but experienced navigators. Before the bridge was built travelers used a ferry to commute between Whidbey and Fidalgo Island.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jCKRp7jiCSOLHdmOrOJSZkqF8sghJoa8q2kgtwQp7BrosLAWstlreHS_g8uLFkKq6MCU7hQXy00L1Rym0F9xqHX9wbLa2rgYADGMxJyI_Hnwvl64zAGwAUiJQgeDqk12Ej3Eh9ca_JA/s1600/Deception+Pass+History+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jCKRp7jiCSOLHdmOrOJSZkqF8sghJoa8q2kgtwQp7BrosLAWstlreHS_g8uLFkKq6MCU7hQXy00L1Rym0F9xqHX9wbLa2rgYADGMxJyI_Hnwvl64zAGwAUiJQgeDqk12Ej3Eh9ca_JA/s640/Deception+Pass+History+Sign.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass History Sign - <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deception_Pass_1.jpg#/media/File:Deception_Pass_1.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wickipedia Commons</a> (Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons)</td></tr>
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On the Whidbey Island side of the bridge is a large parking lot with a large rustic sign with information about Deception Pass. It is a good place to leave your car to walk across the bridge to enjoy the views, take photos and get some exercise. It is about a half-mile round-trip to cross the bridge and return. Be aware that parking in this lot does require purchase of either a Washington State Park day-use pass or the display of an annual <a href="http://www.parks.wa.gov/167/Discover-Pass-Fees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Washington State Park Discover Pass</a>. Overnight campers are given a receipt to display when they check in that provides access to all areas of the park without purchasing an additional pass.<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Deception Pass State Park</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3YtY41RaCrUlMZMXmj2QpConMArptDiaL2tGJh6SMEtWzSmcCvoB9GP1dLUfTX7ViUkrALr1FvpO0UMz5RrHD_SwvjitPxau31XQax8QwEK6YzxGjeU_5D2OA0ugofZFcQFihZI9HJ8/s1600/Deception+Pass+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3YtY41RaCrUlMZMXmj2QpConMArptDiaL2tGJh6SMEtWzSmcCvoB9GP1dLUfTX7ViUkrALr1FvpO0UMz5RrHD_SwvjitPxau31XQax8QwEK6YzxGjeU_5D2OA0ugofZFcQFihZI9HJ8/s640/Deception+Pass+Sign.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass State Park Sign</td></tr>
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Deception Pass State Park is 4,134-acres in size with portions on both Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands with entrance gates near the two ends of the Deception Pass Bridge. It is the most visited state park in Washington State with over 2 million visitors each year. The park is open year round for both day use and overnight camping and I especially enjoy camping there in the winter. The proximity to the water keeps the temperatures mild enough for enjoyable winter camping and it is much less crowded. <br />
Although there are several camping areas, my favorite is the forest loop in the Cranberry Lake Campground. I admit that my opinion may be biased because of the fond memories from camping there in my childhood. Since Deception Pass State Park is the most popular state park in the State of Washington, don't expect to just drive in and find a camping spot in the peak summer camping months. You may get lucky, but to avoid disappointment, I recommend <a href="https://washington.goingtocamp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">making a reservation.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-zcs-TLiTDVgV9qNANqeQYvjQcCPAH6CLcVLAsgdkdGLyXRtUVrCc0hkNKUwnJPXY0eGTzJW1OTGnCKhZOGOgRoeSsRimWOCJgaKTQWf-BQjC8BrIDc0dF56rAyw7IGtS9cYKl1rsqU/s1600/Road+through+Camping+area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-zcs-TLiTDVgV9qNANqeQYvjQcCPAH6CLcVLAsgdkdGLyXRtUVrCc0hkNKUwnJPXY0eGTzJW1OTGnCKhZOGOgRoeSsRimWOCJgaKTQWf-BQjC8BrIDc0dF56rAyw7IGtS9cYKl1rsqU/s640/Road+through+Camping+area.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass State Park RV Camping Area</td></tr>
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The large camping sites are arranged along a meandering road under towering old growth evergreen trees. For those who want to get out and stretch their legs, there are 38 miles of hiking trails in the park. Or if you prefer to ride bikes, in addition to the roads, there are 3 miles of bike trails.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-JxWRsfWAstq6dzpXDEXg77XBkhGcXwWNn0ava889HmCbDR5OjNqmr-cVSmxUtZAaMRmEpSRIxbfXYQ-KScD2q0UZrvLJSoLgUlJ2cUbSNTUlfgsKKZmljqMW_UP_9njyt5uL8ut114/s1600/Camping+Spot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-JxWRsfWAstq6dzpXDEXg77XBkhGcXwWNn0ava889HmCbDR5OjNqmr-cVSmxUtZAaMRmEpSRIxbfXYQ-KScD2q0UZrvLJSoLgUlJ2cUbSNTUlfgsKKZmljqMW_UP_9njyt5uL8ut114/s640/Camping+Spot.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass State Park Camp Site</td></tr>
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The Cranberry Lake Campground has two loops with a total of 147 tent sites and 83 RV sites with water and electrical hookups. There are no sewer hook-ups but a dump station is available. Maximum RV length is 60 feet. I think those who are planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest with their RV will find this brand new camping guide, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612387764/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1612387764&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=KEH5WZUUDLHRQIZ6">Moon West Coast RV Camping: The Complete Guide to More Than 2,300 RV Parks and Campgrounds in Washington, Oregon, and California (Moon Outdoors)</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pnwtravelsandtails-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612387764" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
to be helpful.<br />
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Beautiful Cranberry Lake is just a short walk from the campground and also accessible from the road with a boat launch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Y8HARhSBS3DyQCncgd2A59KjCKrD77h1dsMiz2tawPhIQ-cFqLMIvzjopTycFHSsB3rImUhtslN8Qq2cn8G8AIP1qBC4FcNaQVxE2pkCcts57HBLskv9fN_QNkuf6fXIUcI0mtcSgo/s1600/Cranberry+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6Y8HARhSBS3DyQCncgd2A59KjCKrD77h1dsMiz2tawPhIQ-cFqLMIvzjopTycFHSsB3rImUhtslN8Qq2cn8G8AIP1qBC4FcNaQVxE2pkCcts57HBLskv9fN_QNkuf6fXIUcI0mtcSgo/s640/Cranberry+Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry Lake - Deception Pass State Park</td></tr>
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Cranberry Lake offers opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. The park also includes access to 2 other lakes - Pass Lake and a small piece of shoreline along Campbell Lake for a total of 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tWKlLXXwxinGm4Xc3DY3i2YZQzNsWaGk0y0y4_jZDcyFaSzJmnA65okr9E7znDED9Et0ke-UpXQH5zkQ6T9Iu5yTgT_GgWPc6Qcohkl7emRyzbQHBu7Liwpi_yVaYaVcv6_R9ycXdTg/s1600/Deception+pass+cranberry+lake+swimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2tWKlLXXwxinGm4Xc3DY3i2YZQzNsWaGk0y0y4_jZDcyFaSzJmnA65okr9E7znDED9Et0ke-UpXQH5zkQ6T9Iu5yTgT_GgWPc6Qcohkl7emRyzbQHBu7Liwpi_yVaYaVcv6_R9ycXdTg/s640/Deception+pass+cranberry+lake+swimming.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranberry Lake</td></tr>
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One of the most unique features of the park is the proximity of Cranberry Lake to the saltwater of Puget Sound. The two bodies of water are separated by an access road and few hundred yards of sandy beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv_itsvJz47YdKm6G04IebKAjSEqK_PNSeRbGUtjGQfHLdHvgdN62rpT0bUi62JuCre-N_tNf612uh4DZzefyhE6N4RVzvryaFsMJ6NE8dSvpxI9c0eOrji8EXs35_A7cNJIGoEfG8XU/s1600/Deception+pass+saltwater+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv_itsvJz47YdKm6G04IebKAjSEqK_PNSeRbGUtjGQfHLdHvgdN62rpT0bUi62JuCre-N_tNf612uh4DZzefyhE6N4RVzvryaFsMJ6NE8dSvpxI9c0eOrji8EXs35_A7cNJIGoEfG8XU/s640/Deception+pass+saltwater+beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deception Pass Saltwater Beach </td></tr>
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As kids we would play and swim in the cold saltwater (approximately 50 F. year round) as long as we could tolerate the cold and then run across the narrow strip to Cranberry Lake which felt as warm as water in a bath tub after being in Puget Sound. <br />
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The park has a total of 19 miles of saltwater shoreline for walking beach combing and watching the creatures in the tide pools like the ones on the rock in the photo. Going out to the rock does require paying attention to the tide. With high tides it is often surrounded by deep and dangerous swirling water. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bald Eagle at Deception Pass</td></tr>
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The strong currents don't seem to bother the bald eagles who can often be seen swooping down to grab a fish. Deception Pass is a great place to go for those who enjoy watching birds and other wildlife. Visitors to the park have recorded sightings of 174 varieties of birds. It is not uncommon to see seals, sea lions, orca whales, humpback whales, gray whales, deer, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits and numerous other species.<br />
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If you don't have time (or a reservation) to spend the night, Deception Pass State Park is a great place to spend the day. There are numerous picnic tables along the saltwater beach or some lovely shady picnic areas like this one along the shore of Cranberry Lake near the entrance gate to the park.<br />
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<a href="http://www.albomadventures.com/auckland-food-show/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weekend Travel Inspiration</a></h3>
<br />Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-8484160168683321952015-07-22T04:33:00.000-07:002015-07-24T04:33:45.533-07:00Celtic Heritage at the Skagit Valley Highland GamesMany of my ancestors were of Scottish descent, so the love of bagpipe bands must be in my blood. I enjoy going to the numerous highland games that are held in the Pacific Northwest every summer. It is by no means the largest, but one of my favorites is the Skagit Valley Highland Games. The games are sponsored by the <a href="http://celticarts.org/events/highland-games-home/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Celtic Arts Foundation</a> and are held at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon,WA on the 2nd full weekend in July. One of the reasons I like this particular event is that they are one of the few clan gatherings that allows leashed dogs on the grounds.<br />
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Parking is free and there are several lots with a free shuttle from parking to the entrance gate. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate. Pass though the colorful castle-like entrance to a world of Celtic traditions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBGRoa2UQ7OZ2QX8w2uTIY_mBvzSSodAR8DK7W5aEUavJWlgExNMQVkzZzQe_YOCtw_tcbps5D1jH_eGG0Ufi4nm5ZlpXZXHjpn_a4CBg3nKUZx30faqo7jZ4T18e0HSm-0rfu07CPhg/s1600/Entrance+to+the+Skagit+valley+Highland+games.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBGRoa2UQ7OZ2QX8w2uTIY_mBvzSSodAR8DK7W5aEUavJWlgExNMQVkzZzQe_YOCtw_tcbps5D1jH_eGG0Ufi4nm5ZlpXZXHjpn_a4CBg3nKUZx30faqo7jZ4T18e0HSm-0rfu07CPhg/s640/Entrance+to+the+Skagit+valley+Highland+games.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skagit Valley Highland Games Entrance Gate</td></tr>
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It goes without saying that there is a lot of plaid. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaids for sale at the Skagit Valley Highland Games</td></tr>
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Both young and old demonstrating or competing in Scottish dancing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland Dancing at the Skagit Valley Highland Games</td></tr>
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One area features the athletic competition with traditional Scottish athletic "Heavy Events" throwing stones, hammers, cabers and sheafs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOjDsEkmf1ucah4vJd8KohUQe_-rYKDda7E83xp4PYX-jo6C6pslNuqlvGWd0SmXC7E-TABjQBwwoENrCPWhdsb8WGSNUF53T19t1dZ-am0R5azGIykiK4Jg5sheAk4-Hk6S3V2pq7wY/s1600/games+of+strength.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOjDsEkmf1ucah4vJd8KohUQe_-rYKDda7E83xp4PYX-jo6C6pslNuqlvGWd0SmXC7E-TABjQBwwoENrCPWhdsb8WGSNUF53T19t1dZ-am0R5azGIykiK4Jg5sheAk4-Hk6S3V2pq7wY/s640/games+of+strength.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highland Games "Heavy Events" Competion</td></tr>
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There are numerous vendors and crafts including woodworking and leather and traditional historical items like swords and shields.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leather Crafts at the Skagit Valley Highland Games</td></tr>
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Another tent had demonstrations by weavers and wool spinners.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHloY-w3cwzTbOjBZH8ijNrqcDgINX02ukAVUTrDw-XDA2P5vf5A4DUHyNLwgr7GXDoNTi0vrEeP8L97Dv3nHxGp8_bMrvyMBVkvE37HSRpigaMMyvSzRYu2hOQTvNMqEQDm_akBxpeA/s1600/weavers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHloY-w3cwzTbOjBZH8ijNrqcDgINX02ukAVUTrDw-XDA2P5vf5A4DUHyNLwgr7GXDoNTi0vrEeP8L97Dv3nHxGp8_bMrvyMBVkvE37HSRpigaMMyvSzRYu2hOQTvNMqEQDm_akBxpeA/s640/weavers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weavers and Spinners at the Skagit Valley Highland Games</td></tr>
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There were 2 days of sheep dog herding competition. Although my border collie, Hank has only tried sheep herding once, he looked on with great interest. (See <a href="http://border-collies-in-the-burbs.blogspot.com/2015/06/hank-tries-herding-sheep.html" target="_blank">Hank Tries Herding Sheep</a>) Just like my enjoyment of bagpipes, the interest in sheep herding must be in his blood.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Border Collie Herding Sheep - Skagit Valley Highland Games<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Pony rides for the kids.</span></div>
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There was a variety of Scottish music featuring fiddles, harps and guitars.<br />
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Adult beverages like beer, wine and whiskey...<br />
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And of course, the bagpipes<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pipers practicing at the Skagit Valley Highland Games</td></tr>
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and the pipe bands all marching together at the finale.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XnlEhQfTWUw" width="560"></iframe><br />
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For anyone who would like to experience all three days of this colorful event, there are numerous <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6440110/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g58622-Mount_Vernon_Washington-Hotels.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">lodging options in Mt. Vernon</a>.<br />
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There is also free RV camping and parking area immediately adjacent to venue. However, it does NOT have any amenities available like electrical, water or sewer hook-ups. There are several RV Parks and Washington State Parks with overnight RV camping nearby as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">RV Parking and Camping</span></td></tr>
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Where is Mount Vernon, WA? <br />
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Mount Vernon is located about 60 miles north of Seattle.<br />
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If you are looking for other Scottish Highland Games in the Pacific Northwest, the <a href="http://celticarts.org/links/celtic-events/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Celtics Arts Foundation website has a schedule.</a>Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-83193310186470283112015-06-20T15:22:00.001-07:002015-07-21T19:55:47.220-07:00Historic Port Gamble WashingtonA day in Port Gamble, Washington is like taking a trip in a time machine to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Port Gamble was established in 1853 as a company town, built by the Puget Mill Company, owned by Charles Foster, Josiah Keller, Andrew Pope and William Talbot. The company later became Pope and Talbot, Inc.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Gamble Water Towers - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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It is unknown exactly when these water towers were built, but these towers and the ones that preceded them are probably one of the reasons that the town has been preserved for over a century, instead of being burned to the ground like so many communities from that era.<br />
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Where is Port Gamble, WA?</h3>
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Port Gamble is located on the Kitsap peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle. The shortest routes are by taking either the Bainbridge Island Ferry from Seattle or the Kingston Ferry from Edmonds.</div>
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We opted to take the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston. The crossing takes about 35 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washington State Ferry</td></tr>
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From the Kingston ferry dock it is about a 15 minute drive to Port Gamble. Using the water towers as a landmark we turned onto Rainier Avenue, the main street leading into town. The street is shaded by deciduous trees and lined by saltbox style houses surrounded by white picket fences making it resemble a New England village. The town founders were from East Machias, Maine and so were many of the employees they recruited to work in their sawmill. They designed and built Port Gamble to look like their birthplace. The town was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainier Avenue - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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After parking the car, we did a tour of the town using the handy <a href="http://media.wix.com/ugd/f48782_bb1dd9e9bf404af8a9e9943c462011ae.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walking Tour Map of Port Gamble </a>that I printed off from the town website.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign with history information - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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In addition to the free printable map with information about the buildings, there are also numerous signs posted on the fences with the main details about the building. Because of the location where we found a parking spot, we began our tour with the Walker-Ames house, the grandest and largest house in the town. This house was built in 1888-1889, as the replacement for the original home that burned down in a fire. The street entrance photo is actually the back door of the house. Since most visitors arrived by boat when the house was built, the front door faces the bay and the site of the sawmill. The sawmill was the oldest continuously operating mill in North America when it closed in 1995. It was subsequently demolished.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walker-Ames House - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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The Walker-Ames house was intended to be the home of the mill's resident manager, Edwin Ames, but since he was single and didn't need such a large home, it was offered to the mill master mechanic, William Walker who had a wife and several children. Later Edwin Ames married William Walker's daughter and the combined families lived in the house together. <br />
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The inside of the house was not available for tours when we visited, but I found a video about a paranormal investigation of the house that shows some of the interiors including some of the beautiful old woodwork and stained glass.<br />
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Port Gamble has a local paranormal organization which hosts ghost Walks, paranormal investigations and an annual <a href="http://portgamble.wix.com/pt-gamble-paranormal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ghost Conference</a> near the end of October each year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pope and Talbot Office and Port Gamble General Store<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The General Store was the "Company Store" and company office where employees picked up their pay and could spend it to buy goods like work clothes, tools, household items and food. It was built in 1916 as a replacement for a succession of older ones. It currently houses a store, a cafe and the Port Gamble Historical Museum on the lower level.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKkyf0ncTg-s9U6sD1i_8CEvRII2w51tZBZA2WDLCjj6Ei2wLQGxnq5FflHCM19OEWSgoQsSUqn1SB664wM9GNRAuMLEpOaULUI7KYKQtjGZR-65s_M0bjlCeA3LXrCoLTlL4g7EmAdE/s1600/Flower+Baskets+-+Port+Gamble%252C+wa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKkyf0ncTg-s9U6sD1i_8CEvRII2w51tZBZA2WDLCjj6Ei2wLQGxnq5FflHCM19OEWSgoQsSUqn1SB664wM9GNRAuMLEpOaULUI7KYKQtjGZR-65s_M0bjlCeA3LXrCoLTlL4g7EmAdE/s640/Flower+Baskets+-+Port+Gamble%252C+wa.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Port Gamble is not only historic, but beautiful. Baskets full of lush flowers were hung on posts along the streets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ56FdGMgDFcc220zRs-TQM3TcTrIoRRrTGX6XioRA1jwg-HbODcMtf1J5Poxf9CyJg26V_cIm0Evejw6aWG2OXlIBsxCXGz_IjVau4b2fv1V-oUGsWO8yFAWZv7T8Rz5clPvDYvaLh8/s1600/Port+Gamble+Community+Center+and+Post+Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhJ56FdGMgDFcc220zRs-TQM3TcTrIoRRrTGX6XioRA1jwg-HbODcMtf1J5Poxf9CyJg26V_cIm0Evejw6aWG2OXlIBsxCXGz_IjVau4b2fv1V-oUGsWO8yFAWZv7T8Rz5clPvDYvaLh8/s640/Port+Gamble+Community+Center+and+Post+Office.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Port Gamble Community Hall and Post Office</td></tr>
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The community hall was built in 1906. The first floor had spaces for community needs including office space for a doctor, a dentist, a barber shop, telegraph office, and post office. The second floor had an auditorium, theater, and dance hall. The building still houses the post office and community center.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franklin Masonic Lodge - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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The Masonic Lodge was built in 1871 and is still in active use by the organization. The building was originally located at the site of the current General Store, but was moved a short distance in 1907 to where it is now..<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz1gZSMJvmYhyphenhypheneppWKnKOZsRh0VcdTtkCGL1_8Xzj1DwbGgD4R3KzLMwqDfK79JzvBKPIRdAameXA9dnS23iJtqgH2LL1M-FJWydUw9nTMBCW7MWncKPD-faweEME0zyjxhbcXR1RqJo/s1600/Daniel+B+Jackson+House+Port+Gamble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz1gZSMJvmYhyphenhypheneppWKnKOZsRh0VcdTtkCGL1_8Xzj1DwbGgD4R3KzLMwqDfK79JzvBKPIRdAameXA9dnS23iJtqgH2LL1M-FJWydUw9nTMBCW7MWncKPD-faweEME0zyjxhbcXR1RqJo/s640/Daniel+B+Jackson+House+Port+Gamble.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel B. Jackson House - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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Captain Daniel B. Jackson's built this house in 1871 on land belonging to Pope and Talbot. The company allowed people to build homes on company property and charged $1 per year for rent. Captain Jackson managed the company's fleet of steamboats used to transport logs and wood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5qCX1Mi34TGeMaKPGBsTJqpBnPu3njBiVQdY3r4Pw8flPkGChcm2Xv0s6jpionWsyMqGDggXFIXAFnys5BA3wdtP4RreES1bIE5IGwx_APBQOOKXJHE_uEpdIvmOMBkcroh-P_WMFbI/s1600/new+york+house+port+gamble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5qCX1Mi34TGeMaKPGBsTJqpBnPu3njBiVQdY3r4Pw8flPkGChcm2Xv0s6jpionWsyMqGDggXFIXAFnys5BA3wdtP4RreES1bIE5IGwx_APBQOOKXJHE_uEpdIvmOMBkcroh-P_WMFbI/s640/new+york+house+port+gamble.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New York House - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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The New York House was built in 1863 and originally served as a company guest house. Over the years it served as a hospital and the home for the town's resident doctor.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggobsgkUYpUJb9gCW0-l_rkHQYeAmg0uAfNhV119ktwMsFlHTXDAbCqC6of_tnyjdBA6JPD0CF1mA-5QAYg0ndadKNcEyN7Wr5xmRpN-AzU_aNLtbrwNs8wfxTH_3xMVPDeoAEBcqaILI/s1600/Cranmer+House+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggobsgkUYpUJb9gCW0-l_rkHQYeAmg0uAfNhV119ktwMsFlHTXDAbCqC6of_tnyjdBA6JPD0CF1mA-5QAYg0ndadKNcEyN7Wr5xmRpN-AzU_aNLtbrwNs8wfxTH_3xMVPDeoAEBcqaILI/s640/Cranmer+House+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cranmer House - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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The Cramner house was built in 1890 and was the home of Clarence Cramner and his wife Lulu. Clarence Cramner was a Past Master of the Port Gamble Masonic Lodge in 1896. The building now is used as a tea house.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EBZ0o7luVcFKNX77aWSEvWsENrwll2oMdscnz1YC34c7eq5Kf8wrjvtlCVIbZqdfFlhw4f6UuU1eQUZ9HkCLSrHUJ93vRNDwOS5m-JVDYP4OS9NCfaBR1A4JjVWskvZ_5YvcU_8NefM/s1600/Puget+Hotel+Stables+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EBZ0o7luVcFKNX77aWSEvWsENrwll2oMdscnz1YC34c7eq5Kf8wrjvtlCVIbZqdfFlhw4f6UuU1eQUZ9HkCLSrHUJ93vRNDwOS5m-JVDYP4OS9NCfaBR1A4JjVWskvZ_5YvcU_8NefM/s640/Puget+Hotel+Stables+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puget Hotel Stable - Port Gamble. WA</td></tr>
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Now the home of several small shops, this building was once the stable of the Puget Hotel. The hotel was built in 1903 and was open for business until it was damaged in a wind storm in 1962. It was determined to be too severely damaged to be repaired so it was demolished in 1963.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Wedding Venues in Port Gamble</h3>
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With such a scenic site and so many historic buildings, Port Gamble is a popular site for weddings.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvyjT9dws8E0mUc2i4KP_qpdRVR11srFaIW2mek3FQiFqo5Z8ITXLpp6I0_8S_VTOHZ-Ym4xgZ5GRjUTw3PlTRSfw8b2s5OJvReqv5bEscERH1-F7_g2WygPePeLFXgXatdX6vC-4hE0/s1600/St+Pauls+Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvyjT9dws8E0mUc2i4KP_qpdRVR11srFaIW2mek3FQiFqo5Z8ITXLpp6I0_8S_VTOHZ-Ym4xgZ5GRjUTw3PlTRSfw8b2s5OJvReqv5bEscERH1-F7_g2WygPePeLFXgXatdX6vC-4hE0/s640/St+Pauls+Church.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul's Episcopal Church - Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/27045747" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hobvias sudoneighm, on Flickr </a>- Creative Commons License 2.0</td></tr>
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Historic St. Paul's Episcopal Church with its classic architecture is a beautiful location for a wedding.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG61iiafj9o3RoJATgxyrb1g9Qj0tGzWQbIxyVgHVvbQQOJEBlvL6VO8-J0QcWRbphA3OiVeFTVvJFzF_HKAHbBpicz1ton8Xy0YwCfhTfIgaHdT0BC_-aJp9cqD3qnn-JBlwoBtJ6JYA/s1600/Board+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG61iiafj9o3RoJATgxyrb1g9Qj0tGzWQbIxyVgHVvbQQOJEBlvL6VO8-J0QcWRbphA3OiVeFTVvJFzF_HKAHbBpicz1ton8Xy0YwCfhTfIgaHdT0BC_-aJp9cqD3qnn-JBlwoBtJ6JYA/s640/Board+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hood Canal Vista Pavilion - Port Gamble, WA<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Vista Pavilion was built in 2009 on the site of the old Puget Hotel, but it was designed in a craftsman style that blends well with the historic buildings in the town. The site is gorgeous with a view of Hood Canal. The pavilion can be used for weddings, receptions or both.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2_VIoee9YAeixHaEGcEoS5umTdHmRugSlnMLrT3Al5vJC3lauSSSITQii2WczL93OOt9Evgx2W3OQiApHJl6s1wQrf4ExsUPdjTjFnQPQ8JEvHxqYHu1C9Q6mvfDdrG4mQ5YEi22_28/s1600/Vista+Pavillion+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP2_VIoee9YAeixHaEGcEoS5umTdHmRugSlnMLrT3Al5vJC3lauSSSITQii2WczL93OOt9Evgx2W3OQiApHJl6s1wQrf4ExsUPdjTjFnQPQ8JEvHxqYHu1C9Q6mvfDdrG4mQ5YEi22_28/s640/Vista+Pavillion+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An adjoining spot with room for a tent is available for larger groups.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnPji8izTwocRfeh6Zx2B5OAGyGvJKZocF5ESeT8OrfoJ0-5WnK3yOUgtvpL-9_pOLrXe7OzYy-B-QLDX7eayLBNemhoyCYqMFwwnkBcJtB_EZA6CPuuwy1Lm9kmWCmHVxgoUSOe9Feg/s1600/Honeysuckle+Vines+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnPji8izTwocRfeh6Zx2B5OAGyGvJKZocF5ESeT8OrfoJ0-5WnK3yOUgtvpL-9_pOLrXe7OzYy-B-QLDX7eayLBNemhoyCYqMFwwnkBcJtB_EZA6CPuuwy1Lm9kmWCmHVxgoUSOe9Feg/s640/Honeysuckle+Vines+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeysuckle vines</td></tr>
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A close-up view of the arbor at the entrance to the site reveals that it is covered with fragrant honeysuckle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXL7VwLJW5YwECJsgr-DdBSBzHaHlfXdh4qejkmn1la6iddVuQauC2ioAVMKgg3sAYOcajPGae48_1K_UOLmTRT8CHh9fzGH6K_LRwmUdhsAhNEG2vJSxeBPgmfPl6isGF7TpNod1ons/s1600/Automotive+Repair+%2526+Service+Station+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXL7VwLJW5YwECJsgr-DdBSBzHaHlfXdh4qejkmn1la6iddVuQauC2ioAVMKgg3sAYOcajPGae48_1K_UOLmTRT8CHh9fzGH6K_LRwmUdhsAhNEG2vJSxeBPgmfPl6isGF7TpNod1ons/s640/Automotive+Repair+%2526+Service+Station+-+Port+Gamble%252C+WA.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Service Station and Garage - Port Gamble, WA</td></tr>
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Due to the increasing popularity of the automobile, in 1920 the company built a gas station and auto repair shop. Ultimately the automobile gave employees the mobility to commute to work, and was one of the main causes of the demise of the "company town".<br />
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Planning a Visit to Port Gamble?</h2>
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For more information about Port Gamble, visit the <a href="http://www.portgamble.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Port Gamble Official website</a>. If you are considering spending the night in the area, there are a couple of <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6440110/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/VRACSearch?pid=32340&searchCurrency=USD&nearbyGeos=&geo=58508&token=7397c141d3d9304058d3d4b43f6a7dec&zfc=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vacation rentals a few miles away in Hansville</a> or the<a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6440110/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58540-d1467549-Reviews-The_Phoenix_Bed_and_Breakfast-Kingston_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Phoenix B & B about 15 minutes away in Kingston</a>.</div>
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Recommended Reading</h2>
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Interested in more about the history of company towns or the timber industry in the Pacific Northwest? These are some books you may enjoy.</div>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-59367260418786275772015-05-31T05:02:00.000-07:002015-06-25T15:11:04.266-07:00A Visit to the Mukilteo Lighthouse<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPTlMPP6LpSOuxKX37GCMu9-_4en9XuWorI-cMTOPtwSJVg-TGS4D5o3iTAW75lnhrkB8gy54TN-CXxW4ykn1b3wK8H0oV1t78Pc7xeQTWOFe3VpnGtKF0hLJulUPrSq7Ga7_lvjvW4/s1600/The+Mukilteo+Lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDPTlMPP6LpSOuxKX37GCMu9-_4en9XuWorI-cMTOPtwSJVg-TGS4D5o3iTAW75lnhrkB8gy54TN-CXxW4ykn1b3wK8H0oV1t78Pc7xeQTWOFe3VpnGtKF0hLJulUPrSq7Ga7_lvjvW4/s640/The+Mukilteo+Lighthouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Point Elliot Lighthouse - Mukilteo, WA</td></tr>
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One of my favorite local historic and scenic places is the Mukilteo lighthouse, Mukilteo is a small town located on the shores of Puget Sound about 25 miles north of Seattle and just south of Everett, Washington. It is the only lighthouse in Snohomish County and is the most accessible and easy to visit lighthouse in the greater Seattle area.<br />
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Built in 1905, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and also listed on Washington State's Heritage Register. It underwent a renovation in 1987 to return it as closely as possible to its original appearance, so it looks very much today like it did when it was built .<br />
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The ownership of the light station was transferred from the US Government to the city of Mukilteo in 2001 and it has become the town's main attraction and the centerpiece of the city park. An annual festival is held each September to celebrate this historic landmark. The lighthouse is still in use as a navigational aid and the US Coast Guard maintains the navigational equipment. including the signal light and foghorn.<br />
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The light station is open to the public every weekend from April through September. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. Tours are offered by the local historical society and the site can also be used as a unique picturesque venue for weddings.<br />
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As you can see from the picture, the Mukilteo Lighthouse is also very photogenic little light station and even a mediocre photographer (like me!) can take some lovely photos.<br />
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Where is the Mukilteo Lighthouse? </h2>
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Map and Driving Instructions to Mukilteo from Seattle:</h3>
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From Interstate 5 roughly 22 miles north of Seattle, take Highway 526 west 3.5 miles to where it ends at Highway 525. Turn right on Highway 525 and follow it to the Whidbey Island Ferry Landing in Mukilteo.<br />
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The light station is to the left, just south of the ferry landing</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSPrNeBm48TNvu_2NyekxUSW7XqZlEI7zj0Ic7-_ztMaYsQTikYIOCINrBIqby6LLXp7gBG1BSutHpFy9J1YEp2gJKTCkBNcpgGtaQnJpeg85FHjkBiFR432ysP67es5VfYV8xkT38ow/s1600/The+Mukilteo+Light+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSPrNeBm48TNvu_2NyekxUSW7XqZlEI7zj0Ic7-_ztMaYsQTikYIOCINrBIqby6LLXp7gBG1BSutHpFy9J1YEp2gJKTCkBNcpgGtaQnJpeg85FHjkBiFR432ysP67es5VfYV8xkT38ow/s640/The+Mukilteo+Light+Station.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mukilteo Light Station<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quick Facts About the Mukilteo Lighthouse</span></h3>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Built in 1905</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Lighthouse Tower is 38 Feet Tall</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth Order Fresnel Lens</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Began Operation March 1, 1906</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">White Light Flashes Every 5 Seconds</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Beacon is Visible for 12 Miles</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The History of the Point Elliot Light Station</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYVMZrqZNhAXoxy_ic7OUb9MP4eiXL8KLyD3Ml3aOl2LYWW3yUqH0o3HH0FJlhKnRTD-hEnTlvTccUx8OOYfkfAb-I41kck-bbMXkVPGOR4KPtK8qpQGxGXqXBEoLQJWOmwn_u-X_BiY/s1600/Historical+photo+mukilteo+lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYVMZrqZNhAXoxy_ic7OUb9MP4eiXL8KLyD3Ml3aOl2LYWW3yUqH0o3HH0FJlhKnRTD-hEnTlvTccUx8OOYfkfAb-I41kck-bbMXkVPGOR4KPtK8qpQGxGXqXBEoLQJWOmwn_u-X_BiY/s640/Historical+photo+mukilteo+lighthouse.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A Historical Photo of the Mukilteo Lighthouse - Photo credit </span><a href="http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/mukilteo.JPG" rel="nofollow" style="font-size: 12.8px;" target="_blank">US Coast Guard </a><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">- Public Domain</span></td></tr>
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The Elliot Point light station was designed by architect C.W. Leick and construction began in 1905. This same plan was used to build two other Pacific coast lighthouses - the ones at Ediz Hook, Washington and Cape Arago, Oregon. The buildings were all built from wood and the total construction cost was approximately $27,000.<br />
The tower is 38 feet tall and the station originally included a fog signal building, a keeper's house, an assistant keeper's house a well and pump house with a windmill to power the well pump.<br />
The light has a fourth order Fresnel lens and a large fog horn pointed toward the sea. The station was completed and put into service in 1906. The white light from the beacon flashes every 5 seconds and is visible for up to 12 miles. The fog horn sounds for 3 seconds every 27 seconds and may be heard up to 8 miles away.<br />
The original light was a kerosene lamp which required refueling and maintenance every 3 hours 24 hours a day. The oil light was replaced with an electric light bulb in 1927 and the original rotating Fresnel lens was replaced with a fixed lens.. The light bulb was replaced with a 150 watt halogen bulb in 1972. The fog horn was also replaced in the 1970s. The light and foghorn were both automated in 1979 and an automatic fog sensor was added in 1981.<br />
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Mukilteo Lighthouse Hours</h3>
A sign on the front gate provides information about the lighthouse including the hours it is open.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Hflt4M5QdKLR2b0cCtmXVEcRZcId43nw49h-N29nPdbagoTdIxMMUFcEPakdGjKS-9aGjkxWyK7HMbaxti25pJ7DJmgHQMlMpsyt6cWawl4T_gxGM5G6JmCh6-hxDAZHKZnmjUFzaA/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0Hflt4M5QdKLR2b0cCtmXVEcRZcId43nw49h-N29nPdbagoTdIxMMUFcEPakdGjKS-9aGjkxWyK7HMbaxti25pJ7DJmgHQMlMpsyt6cWawl4T_gxGM5G6JmCh6-hxDAZHKZnmjUFzaA/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Sign.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Light Station Hours and Rules<br />
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<h2 id="27906535_title" style="text-align: center;">
Step Inside the Gate for a Tour</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mukilteo Lighthouse</td></tr>
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The lighthouse and surrounding grounds are maintained by the city and volunteers from the <a href="http://mukilteohistorical.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mukilteo Historical society</a>. Members of the historical society serve as hosts when the lighthouse is open to lead tours, answer questions and provide a wealth of information about the history of the area.</div>
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Photos and Exhibits Inside the Lighthouse</h3>
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The old fog signal building contains a fascinating display of the history of the lighthouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXCfExWykiKbmnjSG4fzyvEZMOoBHWVHzfOAnBa_80bOUN8MD8Bip9OvGAXmv9CxvrHVz1Wol5Iuagr6N7qLgwjEC1IXmfROiwpPhNXQ-IxBhINxBOixbiSWy1YG6AbsqU3pvqXCXXBc/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Architectural+Drawings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXCfExWykiKbmnjSG4fzyvEZMOoBHWVHzfOAnBa_80bOUN8MD8Bip9OvGAXmv9CxvrHVz1Wol5Iuagr6N7qLgwjEC1IXmfROiwpPhNXQ-IxBhINxBOixbiSWy1YG6AbsqU3pvqXCXXBc/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Architectural+Drawings.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Architechural Drawings of the Mukilteo Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<div>
Among the displays is a framed copy of some of the original architect drawings and plans.<br />
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
A 1908 Photo of the Light Station</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX-ILxfpXzTiGfIbXCcNHgp0wDSIYAh7R8vn_W_MdhUCBABxAWyzwVEULe4OkabP5avXkpZJ6n8sY_6UcfiHvvYOrjvjt3jr1OBnWdxW0Q2F73LpBxsRB0uQMmgakzMvldtba4bzGRBo/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+original+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCX-ILxfpXzTiGfIbXCcNHgp0wDSIYAh7R8vn_W_MdhUCBABxAWyzwVEULe4OkabP5avXkpZJ6n8sY_6UcfiHvvYOrjvjt3jr1OBnWdxW0Q2F73LpBxsRB0uQMmgakzMvldtba4bzGRBo/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+original+photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Light Station, 1908<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I took a picture of this old photo of the light station taken in 1908. The main keeper's house is to the right of the tower and attached fog station, and the assistant keeper's residence is to the left. The windmill has since been replaced by a garage which now houses more artifacts from the past.</span></div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
What is a Fresnel Lens?</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyQ8X_ypIqiCxuxIDHmK2828x3XHvr5SdQL9JIvvM65XsFcH5f-d2BZNmV9-oI09zS4BHLaplawJKYKm9IIB0yO9tac3rOXxtzJD4y-9_5IndxkG8-zW-YQr4Rh-UFUQKUx5uM-8xYdM/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+About+Fresnel+Lens+Display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyQ8X_ypIqiCxuxIDHmK2828x3XHvr5SdQL9JIvvM65XsFcH5f-d2BZNmV9-oI09zS4BHLaplawJKYKm9IIB0yO9tac3rOXxtzJD4y-9_5IndxkG8-zW-YQr4Rh-UFUQKUx5uM-8xYdM/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+About+Fresnel+Lens+Display.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Display About Fresnel Lenses at the Mukilteo Lighthouse</td></tr>
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The Fresnel (pronounced Fray-nell) lens was invented by Augustin-Jean Fresnel, a French physicist. I'm not a physicist, so my understanding is that the glass is shaped and arranged in such a way to create prisms which capture and bend the light to magnify and increase its intensity. The first Fresnel lens to be used in a lighthouse was installed in 1823 in a lighthouse in France. Fresnel lenses have many other uses including automobile headlights, theater spotlights, projector lights, camera optics, aviation lights or to focus sunlight to make more efficient solar panels.This display in the Mukilteo Lighthouse explains the "Order" of Fresnel lenses for lighthouses. Each lighthouse lens is categorized into an "Order" based on the size of the lens. It is on a scale of 1 through 6 with 1 being the largest, brightest lens and the 6th being the smallest and least bright.<br />
The Mukilteo Lighthouse has a 4th Order lens which is not an exceptionally bright lens. Since the passages in Puget Sound are fairly narrow, the 12 mile range of the beacon is more than adequate to fulfill its purpose as an aid to navigation.<br />
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
A Multi-bull's eyed fourth order Fresnel Lens</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTrdCi1nfnGIPmY1Xk1WEmGglkb0gcp0vsVyDbLH-hxnGHpxMxyByo-LxySb6HjJASJC_2xhJFor1xRoyHLJAFAW5YltowP6TdipiB3IS0q1JjNaMFrHLAwRGncMC2yrxcylyCr2GYqI/s1600/Lighthouse+Fresnel+Lens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTrdCi1nfnGIPmY1Xk1WEmGglkb0gcp0vsVyDbLH-hxnGHpxMxyByo-LxySb6HjJASJC_2xhJFor1xRoyHLJAFAW5YltowP6TdipiB3IS0q1JjNaMFrHLAwRGncMC2yrxcylyCr2GYqI/s640/Lighthouse+Fresnel+Lens.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multi-Bulls-eye 4th Order Fresnel Lens</td></tr>
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This gorgeous multi-bulls-eyed Fresnel Lens from the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse is a work of art! It was removed and replaced with a modern airport type beacon light and is now on display at the Mukilteo Lighthouse.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
Climbing the Stairs to the Light Tower</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6en8FSViXNwzr5C3_eIg2fkx559qeVd2nCy-guB85rGB4SWwUErMsACTVDkToZaBntmXdk6-vDOVEbNzgm7CY5YDjRiQlqjP1sBkpI9zJwz4bFOH_TxDjyoyba-K49ck9abxQgVx0DF8/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+ascending+-+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6en8FSViXNwzr5C3_eIg2fkx559qeVd2nCy-guB85rGB4SWwUErMsACTVDkToZaBntmXdk6-vDOVEbNzgm7CY5YDjRiQlqjP1sBkpI9zJwz4bFOH_TxDjyoyba-K49ck9abxQgVx0DF8/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+ascending+-+resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spiral Staircase to the Mukilteo Light Tower<br />
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After looking at all the displays, I started up the narrow, spiral staircase to the light tower. I couldn't really get a good photo to show how the stairway winds up the tower. The interpretive displays explained that the original kerosene lamp needed to be refueled every 3 hours. As I climbed the steep stairs, I thought of how many times the keepers made this climb each year to keep the beacon lit.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
The Fresnel Lens </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAh97agoEcpbY3AuO1oVxpaMYj72NBbmjOmqiUcgryDv5-b2AkC-1neK6i-Y3HzXFLmqn881zArvd5Mu1AQ7Rhv4eaqKGQ-zFBvl2xg1khXjizkRWseCwOaYdoLW-spKsUOa4hjlzbmTU/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+lens+from+the+stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAh97agoEcpbY3AuO1oVxpaMYj72NBbmjOmqiUcgryDv5-b2AkC-1neK6i-Y3HzXFLmqn881zArvd5Mu1AQ7Rhv4eaqKGQ-zFBvl2xg1khXjizkRWseCwOaYdoLW-spKsUOa4hjlzbmTU/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+lens+from+the+stairs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fourth Order Fresnel Lens - Mukilteo Lighthouse<br />
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This is a photo of my first glimpse of the Fresnel lens looking up from the stairwell.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLt37XyMaoeAt11aWOBDsNPbItBCrpBPFLTWsmKnSGhNuPb_cotjQaZ14SEbyeQeVpa4r_T0u5Cc_0D5O1zj08Jpg0GXyepS9m5J_SNIqMnALOjzAeyDjbAQoHuK1_Uq7q5FymYJLcq0/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Halogen+light+bulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLt37XyMaoeAt11aWOBDsNPbItBCrpBPFLTWsmKnSGhNuPb_cotjQaZ14SEbyeQeVpa4r_T0u5Cc_0D5O1zj08Jpg0GXyepS9m5J_SNIqMnALOjzAeyDjbAQoHuK1_Uq7q5FymYJLcq0/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Halogen+light+bulb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Lighthouse Halogen Lightbulb</td></tr>
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Of course the days of the kerosene lamps are long gone, but it was still amazing to see what a tiny light powers the beacon. This 150 watt halogen bulb can be seen brightly for 12 miles with the magic of a Fresnel lens. It reminded me of pulling back the curtain and finding the Wizard of Oz.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
The View From the Top of the Lighthouse Tower </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7mI-cPXIph8ievDlp-dXl5bfRRvQxx-pb24L1oBMgKpubb92GpehWRi5NWPO_eEH6sVYyW1H_1E4-qQCcm_4xJRWBXqqBqcA7X8iaq6hEieYG05dHyu1w3FQB57fmHI-4kfp9Q34yfA/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+view+from+inside+the+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7mI-cPXIph8ievDlp-dXl5bfRRvQxx-pb24L1oBMgKpubb92GpehWRi5NWPO_eEH6sVYyW1H_1E4-qQCcm_4xJRWBXqqBqcA7X8iaq6hEieYG05dHyu1w3FQB57fmHI-4kfp9Q34yfA/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+view+from+inside+the+tower.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A View of Puget Sound and a ferry from the Mukilteo Lighthouse</td></tr>
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This is the view from inside the tower facing approximately northwest toward Whidbey Island. A Washington State ferry was making one of its runs from the nearby ferry dock across Puget Sound to the island. Images of the light are mirrored on the window on both sides of the ferry.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
Rainbows from the Fresnel Lens Prisms </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxhqlXbgf26Gpz6rCkeUzpYnJvnNXynYMrJ3ZOe6-C1O80OGVU818Bq4YCb4II-lrqhFqTlRmInuQG7Qpdkcz6n7bUlV_li5TWlFFSth4PPZXu3sg1cbgMyyVnAiNs2L3_e1-6JPCy58/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+tower+-+looking+from+the+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxhqlXbgf26Gpz6rCkeUzpYnJvnNXynYMrJ3ZOe6-C1O80OGVU818Bq4YCb4II-lrqhFqTlRmInuQG7Qpdkcz6n7bUlV_li5TWlFFSth4PPZXu3sg1cbgMyyVnAiNs2L3_e1-6JPCy58/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+tower+-+looking+from+the+outside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fresnel Lens From Outside<br />
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I took this photo from the outside deck of the tower looking in at the lens showing the rainbows from the prisms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sb9z5bMVFJxL7WL1dk63X4Y11RzbY94lS9DlQJqPC_zk4wJHRpoHeEMoH1M-T4j6WQz067FUaqPSm6a6NXSjs1PlUPXnKKi88CTQQO0QcamNA8QPeYZX6ELgf5jugdSkHTZlTUlb1m8/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Tower+from+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sb9z5bMVFJxL7WL1dk63X4Y11RzbY94lS9DlQJqPC_zk4wJHRpoHeEMoH1M-T4j6WQz067FUaqPSm6a6NXSjs1PlUPXnKKi88CTQQO0QcamNA8QPeYZX6ELgf5jugdSkHTZlTUlb1m8/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Tower+from+outside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mukilteo Light</td></tr>
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<div>
After walking back outside to the grounds, I took this photo of the lighthouse tower as seen from below.</div>
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
The Life of a Lighthouse Keeper</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjxezQb5o77DguSluzkYkdcjT6ubnpTOjWltssmsSQWsvviBbFOpRfQ8OOB-2NCvFVLH7Eey8oE24r3oteDs7YXld0VZwkQ-zsgOkeyDNRZZC_qYziVPfIwnXRYQ0lRNZE4dKD_e9kPs/s1600/Mukiteo+Lightkeeper%2527s+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjxezQb5o77DguSluzkYkdcjT6ubnpTOjWltssmsSQWsvviBbFOpRfQ8OOB-2NCvFVLH7Eey8oE24r3oteDs7YXld0VZwkQ-zsgOkeyDNRZZC_qYziVPfIwnXRYQ0lRNZE4dKD_e9kPs/s640/Mukiteo+Lightkeeper%2527s+House.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Lightkeepers House - Quarters A</td></tr>
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<div>
There are two keeper's houses at the Mukilteo light station. Quarters "A", as the coast guard called it, was the main keeper's residence. It is not open for tours, but this is the outside of the building facing the street away from the lighthouse and Puget Sound.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Mukilteo's First Lighthouse Keeper</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-af44eMNgX_CBm8i5mB5uaDM15RMeZZFRpyJ2XY5MuLPxrR6IohYr4EdUkBufgZZ_yDbICuXrQjuyadJU9i4bJfF4dRfUR0QFPiDjE5oo-NOuQxeGKx4EjelmWsr74EZug4P7AC5944/s1600/Peter+Christiansen%252C+Mukilteo+Lighthouse++1st+lightkeeper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-af44eMNgX_CBm8i5mB5uaDM15RMeZZFRpyJ2XY5MuLPxrR6IohYr4EdUkBufgZZ_yDbICuXrQjuyadJU9i4bJfF4dRfUR0QFPiDjE5oo-NOuQxeGKx4EjelmWsr74EZug4P7AC5944/s640/Peter+Christiansen%252C+Mukilteo+Lighthouse++1st+lightkeeper.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter N. Christiansen, the first Mukilteo Lighthouse Keeper </td></tr>
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<div>
The first keeper who climbed the stairs to tend the light in the tower, was Peter N. Christiansen. He was born in Norway and served in the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Navy before becoming a lighthouse keeper. Before being assigned to the Mukilteo Lighthouse, P.N Christianson served as the assistant keeper at the Turn Point Lighthouse on Stuart Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV9nqNJWfbsJ3yt6oTEZ2C7LD04zC_snf0XNprctABfzXhShdF88cuQ7g5ZwhddNxfpDmDIUi8xkgVV7wMlU4WSdDPhOfqc-rmycd56j0C_NG32OzEWq2HC7601VMbC3z5Y0m4yeT-_g/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+original+keeper+Christiansen+family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCV9nqNJWfbsJ3yt6oTEZ2C7LD04zC_snf0XNprctABfzXhShdF88cuQ7g5ZwhddNxfpDmDIUi8xkgVV7wMlU4WSdDPhOfqc-rmycd56j0C_NG32OzEWq2HC7601VMbC3z5Y0m4yeT-_g/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+original+keeper+Christiansen+family.jpg" width="585" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Christiansen Family - First Residents of the Mukilteo Lighthouse</td></tr>
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<div>
Peter Christiansen served for almost 20 years as the first keeper of the Mukilteo lighthouse. He lived in the keepers house with his wife and four children until his sudden death from what was believed to be a heart attack in 1925. After his death, Peter Christiansen's wife, Theodine, assumed the duties as the second lighthouse keeper for 2 years. She was one of the first female lightkeepers. This plaque and photo of the Christiansen family is displayed near the entrance of Keeper's Quarters "A" facing Puget Sound.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBzsjcpACuFS1NJMBT_lxCuwGxrS-zBNZFygrpSkz54iyruTqkI5dPzc1eigBagTKStIfGdurte4mZBRK68tIh8WQ4GGasX9RcQhofdUmxQo0FSe3RD-yt8Ywq7BVy2kvr9mXo-PxqpI/s1600/Mukilteo+Asst+Lightkeepers+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBzsjcpACuFS1NJMBT_lxCuwGxrS-zBNZFygrpSkz54iyruTqkI5dPzc1eigBagTKStIfGdurte4mZBRK68tIh8WQ4GGasX9RcQhofdUmxQo0FSe3RD-yt8Ywq7BVy2kvr9mXo-PxqpI/s640/Mukilteo+Asst+Lightkeepers+House.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Assistant Lightkeepers House - Quarters B</td></tr>
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<div>
The Assistant Keeper's Residence, (called Quarters B by the Coast Guard), now houses interpretive displays and a gift shop. This view is from near the water's edge of Puget Sound looking inland.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic59e0SaB3CvBrz7ZyI4As4IJfm-ONQ5g8oEpa5Lf4gslbpDRVVcJzHXpqCwKd4-UfimuZXey1qmjXr5ypZn2S9hI0ZkqlIidm2L49XIvFsJ49gssoPoyOqU4tLxHu44zVUhdmOjPCLR8/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+-+Lightkeepers+uniform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic59e0SaB3CvBrz7ZyI4As4IJfm-ONQ5g8oEpa5Lf4gslbpDRVVcJzHXpqCwKd4-UfimuZXey1qmjXr5ypZn2S9hI0ZkqlIidm2L49XIvFsJ49gssoPoyOqU4tLxHu44zVUhdmOjPCLR8/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+-+Lightkeepers+uniform.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lighthouse Keeper Uniform</td></tr>
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<div>
Inside the old Assistant Light Keepers Residence is an interesting museum about not only the history of the Mukilteo lighthouse, but also the history of lighthouses and the lighthouse service including a display of a light keepers uniform.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lighthouse Souvenirs from the Gift Shop</span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762739681/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0762739681&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=GPIZCJD4VRGNJR6N"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0762739681&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0762739681" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IS175M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004IS175M&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=ZYPSMUYTKCIRBCLY"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004IS175M&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004IS175M" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013HQY3Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0013HQY3Q&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=CJMB4UMJDENJX6PT"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0013HQY3Q&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0013HQY3Q" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<h2 class="subtitle" style="text-align: center;">
The Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9w5LkZ1BkK8d58U5XZDO_-Fhzr63eeoY8jYe74wZrpi6PKDjwj7pgHWFZtczF7Q8Kw7sqCq7sTdP0E6ZqmCV5uxsqTRYvGT-3Fu6n4x039-r6-PNPebAnTKLNrXiIjTsH7xuQHBNbpI/s1600/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Festival+banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9w5LkZ1BkK8d58U5XZDO_-Fhzr63eeoY8jYe74wZrpi6PKDjwj7pgHWFZtczF7Q8Kw7sqCq7sTdP0E6ZqmCV5uxsqTRYvGT-3Fu6n4x039-r6-PNPebAnTKLNrXiIjTsH7xuQHBNbpI/s640/Mukilteo+Lighthouse+Festival+banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Banner</td></tr>
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<div class="module moduleText color0" id="mod_27906569">
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Each year in the 2nd weekend in September, the city of Mukilteo has a festival to celebrate the lighthouse.</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://mukilteolighthousefestival.com/" rel="nofollow">Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival - Celebrate By the Bay</a><br />The Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Association - In 2004 Mukilteo service and community groups formed the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Association (MLFA) to carry on the spirit and tradition of the Annual Lighthouse Festival. </li>
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<h2 class="subtitle">
Planning a Visit to the Mukilteo Lighthouse?</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf4YXzJM9Bg7E_xnkj1kIOZP1F0-00CjQ7PsNCojpnDRKX_9SGLVLrMwfH9_AgmemrXIeJCNwHAA2HEw5ccsLlI3883AacSGs-Yl0SKovxV8UnrskqjHyMV-SHwpOvllmek_-Cqa_fMw/s1600/Mukilteo+Silver+Cloud+Inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf4YXzJM9Bg7E_xnkj1kIOZP1F0-00CjQ7PsNCojpnDRKX_9SGLVLrMwfH9_AgmemrXIeJCNwHAA2HEw5ccsLlI3883AacSGs-Yl0SKovxV8UnrskqjHyMV-SHwpOvllmek_-Cqa_fMw/s640/Mukilteo+Silver+Cloud+Inn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5836029-10775740?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g58625-d126094-Reviews-a_cja.10775740-a_cjp.5836029-m13092-Silver_Cloud_Inn_Mukilteo-Mukilteo_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Silver Cloud Inn Mukilteo</a></td></tr>
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<div class="txtd" id="txtd_27906589">
If you are looking for lodging in Mukilteo, the <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-5836029-10775740?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tripadvisor.com%2FHotel_Review-g58625-d126094-Reviews-a_cja.10775740-a_cjp.5836029-m13092-Silver_Cloud_Inn_Mukilteo-Mukilteo_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mukilteo Silver Cloud Inn </a>is within walking distance of the lighthouse. It is right on the waterfront overlooking Puget Sound and the ferry dock. There are several other hotels, but they are further away from the waterfront and lighthouse.</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
More Information About Lighthouses in Washington State</h2>
There are several organizations who are a great source of information about lighthouses in Washington State.<br />
<ul>
<li><a class="linkext" href="http://www.lighthousefriends.com/pull-state.asp?state=WA" target="new">The Lighthouses of Washington at Lighthousefriends.com</a><br />Information about lighthouses in Washington state.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li id="linkitem_2452632"><a class="linkext" href="http://www.lighthousefriends.com/wa.html" target="new">Map of Lighthouses in Washington State</a>Washington Lighthouses A map where you can click on a lighthouse name or icon for more information about a lighthouse in Washington State.</li>
</ul>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-41357812377662421762015-04-15T04:43:00.000-07:002015-04-29T20:00:29.212-07:00Cle Elum River Boondocking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite RV boondocking camping areas near Seattle is about 100 miles east on I-90 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. There are several campgrounds that can be accessed from the forest service roads branching off from the Salmon La Sac Road, but past the campgrounds are numerous old logging roads that provide dispersed camping spots for those who prefer more solitude.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1FlzYjpVVrYpHapfrRa2Vidr1HkprKcdaVddCs87nfPjCXMatnBeJwRmGFBwVBxmnbeVLNmIAzttTLy6_5hiZZomX8JQQH31HchPrniAu182mpI7lcG1cr6nMq8qskXr5zoMOoVbQi8/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Campground+camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1FlzYjpVVrYpHapfrRa2Vidr1HkprKcdaVddCs87nfPjCXMatnBeJwRmGFBwVBxmnbeVLNmIAzttTLy6_5hiZZomX8JQQH31HchPrniAu182mpI7lcG1cr6nMq8qskXr5zoMOoVbQi8/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Campground+camping.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping along the banks of the Cle Elum River<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">To get to the Salmon La Sac Road, from I-90, take exit 80 to Roslyn.</span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="450" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m27!1m12!1m3!1d691431.5786536302!2d-122.24832388381661!3d47.39429415074678!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!4m12!1i0!3e0!4m5!1s0x5490102c93e83355%3A0x102565466944d59a!2sSeattle%2C+WA!3m2!1d47.6062095!2d-122.3320708!4m3!3m2!1d47.3564114!2d-121.1092535!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1428973649291" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: small;">On the way, you will pass through the historic town of Roslyn which was used as the filming location for the TV Series, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000V6LSO0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000V6LSO0&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=NNR7EIFTF7GOURTG%22%3ENorthern%20Exposure%20-%20The%20Complete%20Series%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000V6LSO0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Northern Exposure.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKXx8Fk7Y7M1KP9UiqGMWlbPj0JU3weamQnMC2EzMb3b5sYoXebIyedT1Zt6llFDZyNWBUU_4h1R5C75jwpf5nRMyaFdei0QxCKcDWgH3dA7bWxwlxFqeE8RoWmYl6E5AP_7LPvz85tM/s1600/Roslyn+Cafe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKXx8Fk7Y7M1KP9UiqGMWlbPj0JU3weamQnMC2EzMb3b5sYoXebIyedT1Zt6llFDZyNWBUU_4h1R5C75jwpf5nRMyaFdei0QxCKcDWgH3dA7bWxwlxFqeE8RoWmYl6E5AP_7LPvz85tM/s1600/Roslyn+Cafe.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After leaving Roslyn, a few miles further the road goes through the even smaller town of Ronald. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDVnozOUZPXsccMo5VmH9-Maz-krbpEPkM4j5uTvekkrnZzGwRjkbpF7Cb-uwq4UonHcVz8Yl2LkPPft-LQzjO7IHVlv85eTSEzIuLIvt-Lk_5ZZjrTrCYktjssS7L2IEjXe31SeH6Xw/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Road+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDVnozOUZPXsccMo5VmH9-Maz-krbpEPkM4j5uTvekkrnZzGwRjkbpF7Cb-uwq4UonHcVz8Yl2LkPPft-LQzjO7IHVlv85eTSEzIuLIvt-Lk_5ZZjrTrCYktjssS7L2IEjXe31SeH6Xw/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Road+Sign.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road to Salmon La Sac</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">A few scattered housing tracts extend for few miles out of town before the road enters the national forest. After a total of about 10 miles from Ronald, just past the Cle Elum River Campgrund is a signpost. Take the left turn to French Cabin Creek. After turning left, is a bridge over the Cle Elum River.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP7c4g6cXm3zDLRYbLcSWGpnkYIaubojfWdwh0lO6QXvNPxasihyphenhyphen-GAjXJRScHi050kmNl-a4ONLDJ1t0JMIVn52gK8IvhYrjm7DF9_MDMu9hpE-cG8b68qAxHvQwjG-N5zgzoGvfFbw/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRP7c4g6cXm3zDLRYbLcSWGpnkYIaubojfWdwh0lO6QXvNPxasihyphenhyphen-GAjXJRScHi050kmNl-a4ONLDJ1t0JMIVn52gK8IvhYrjm7DF9_MDMu9hpE-cG8b68qAxHvQwjG-N5zgzoGvfFbw/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Bridge.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cle Elum River Bridge<br />
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">After crossing the bridge there are numerous camping sites. From about April to October there are minimal amenities like garbage dumpsters and porta-potties and there is a small fee for camping. For the rest of the year if the snow is gone, you can use it for free and have the entire area largely to yourself.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3lMMSOy7GERTB8M_2CLRLA1wghl9rCPQ7PeBTYSC8SHvzqYYYstH0wTKOsN5NF6XFux60twkS-piwmslroFbmlYZXtKKAzjdvFYyz_Wg47UvSgt1v5oJQO8YaWIuKMyKxVZefOdbV7w/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Campground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3lMMSOy7GERTB8M_2CLRLA1wghl9rCPQ7PeBTYSC8SHvzqYYYstH0wTKOsN5NF6XFux60twkS-piwmslroFbmlYZXtKKAzjdvFYyz_Wg47UvSgt1v5oJQO8YaWIuKMyKxVZefOdbV7w/s1600/Cle+Elum+River+Campground.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Or you can continue on past the campground and go either right or left at the Y in the road.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm9GD7kwPI1qntVdQ0M7qPEGxsCweRWaoFroH7bXdphn55mTnnVeEjdSIsvOyJYsoVOl7iERzFedA26_n9VYkWUTJK1Nzld2mzcmcilIht2EHZ73keuQeUNEZ9YXqsKR6drYmXKzutVM/s1600/Knox+Creek+Trail+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilm9GD7kwPI1qntVdQ0M7qPEGxsCweRWaoFroH7bXdphn55mTnnVeEjdSIsvOyJYsoVOl7iERzFedA26_n9VYkWUTJK1Nzld2mzcmcilIht2EHZ73keuQeUNEZ9YXqsKR6drYmXKzutVM/s1600/Knox+Creek+Trail+Sign.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A Fork in the Road - with the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Knox Creek and Thorp Lake Sign</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Taking the left fork leads to numerous sites on or near the Cle Elum River.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGo3SQb6cyglLrYDkrk32jp7eQE5kA8Cm9TEeX0egtQtDYv-FLi2_8xdcThJPX6VyExlWOVBm4kxh4xAwgMHpUMJ2Gfc6WLOJe35nrLW2DMFgE-BGe8B-KI-NYclTmQrnOZtvNJrI0bc/s1600/Side+Roads+to+campsites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGo3SQb6cyglLrYDkrk32jp7eQE5kA8Cm9TEeX0egtQtDYv-FLi2_8xdcThJPX6VyExlWOVBm4kxh4xAwgMHpUMJ2Gfc6WLOJe35nrLW2DMFgE-BGe8B-KI-NYclTmQrnOZtvNJrI0bc/s1600/Side+Roads+to+campsites.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A side- road to a camping site</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Of course it is a good idea to walk down these small side roads first to make sure they are passable and not too rough or narrow for your RV. Underbrush and trees grow fast in the Pacific Northwest and some side roads may be too overgrown for many RVs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DIcrK6a8eDzG32NgQikzlp3BEg30l7rNxBDqBQSWUhqp3QnlVrckS1mdIAL9e3Nk0LVcf632VhEzJd1s43OQ6RA5IAynDT55IeNLkCb_ZeKp7VWJCRQQUkpgBJi2PzPy2W4mxtkQRJQ/s1600/Bridge+across+the+Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DIcrK6a8eDzG32NgQikzlp3BEg30l7rNxBDqBQSWUhqp3QnlVrckS1mdIAL9e3Nk0LVcf632VhEzJd1s43OQ6RA5IAynDT55IeNLkCb_ZeKp7VWJCRQQUkpgBJi2PzPy2W4mxtkQRJQ/s1600/Bridge+across+the+Creek.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge across French Cabin Creek</td></tr>
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G<span style="font-size: small;">o slowly over the old bridge over French Cabin Creek - it is a little bumpy. Beyond the bridge to the left is another great free boondocking camping area in the trees that extends down to the river.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_pjghsi4U-Vm2Z7LdXgyQ-6zh1ae5xgzhEvdaMVijlUAa4dcvCK8D5WoiZ864fMCCuZ0pDM9LVaIkZ-n6DJtcH879MxGlKVTaDxBs6ZI2E7qqyNZYedxB7W879oFlzv3uBoRyBuPo3o/s1600/Boondocking+near+the+Cle+Elum+River+Campground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_pjghsi4U-Vm2Z7LdXgyQ-6zh1ae5xgzhEvdaMVijlUAa4dcvCK8D5WoiZ864fMCCuZ0pDM9LVaIkZ-n6DJtcH879MxGlKVTaDxBs6ZI2E7qqyNZYedxB7W879oFlzv3uBoRyBuPo3o/s1600/Boondocking+near+the+Cle+Elum+River+Campground.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A large camping area under the trees</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn47w9jIXFydRTYBxLgowZsoLT6aAIyToBk3lM0fAafAdOsuM4aXQisxN6Pl2UFnqiMkC-7XbsNj2g4hsxCzZsHHsqxY4SsJIdw9kf7G7vDFodJ9i6qpmfrd8aOtQYX1RnlWDU3y141t0/s1600/Knox+Creek+Trail+Sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn47w9jIXFydRTYBxLgowZsoLT6aAIyToBk3lM0fAafAdOsuM4aXQisxN6Pl2UFnqiMkC-7XbsNj2g4hsxCzZsHHsqxY4SsJIdw9kf7G7vDFodJ9i6qpmfrd8aOtQYX1RnlWDU3y141t0/s1600/Knox+Creek+Trail+Sign.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you take the right fork toward the Thorp Lake Trail and Knox Creek Trail, there are side roads with camping sites there, too. The road is rough as it climbs through a series of switchbacks. After it flattens out there are several campsites, mostly on the side roads left of the main road.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3aUnAPqbgvl5wTlxWyRRgwi9Wb8zPORni-oFs1TXvcvuWzK5eVQiB9Qsu75EmQvJiysyKOqMJKyhtK4yeHu3y0XfWkJkpT7HKdu71QoIL0exIfQ0X0iXQDK0MJjFSded_TCKbB_IWQ/s1600/Creek+across+the+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-M3aUnAPqbgvl5wTlxWyRRgwi9Wb8zPORni-oFs1TXvcvuWzK5eVQiB9Qsu75EmQvJiysyKOqMJKyhtK4yeHu3y0XfWkJkpT7HKdu71QoIL0exIfQ0X0iXQDK0MJjFSded_TCKbB_IWQ/s1600/Creek+across+the+road.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A creek flowing over the road</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Although not along the shores of the river, there are several sites along French Cabin Creek. In fact you will need to drive through French Cabin Creek to get to this campsite.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34K578PQajedUO15ma5Y7jbtDcxzHeD1MZKAImS5dRR5ZWIIDpyB68FMckjKWh5m01gxo1l1jS_onmp0DnQr2fXovLzxsx6WISDySlOd4EHZrlejUL4fFBtyIyfma5rxVQsf6xNn_TS0/s1600/Dispersed+Camping+Site+near+Knox+Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34K578PQajedUO15ma5Y7jbtDcxzHeD1MZKAImS5dRR5ZWIIDpyB68FMckjKWh5m01gxo1l1jS_onmp0DnQr2fXovLzxsx6WISDySlOd4EHZrlejUL4fFBtyIyfma5rxVQsf6xNn_TS0/s1600/Dispersed+Camping+Site+near+Knox+Creek.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Camping Spot with a View of Red Mountain</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The creek is usually only a couple of inches deep and if it is safe to cross, on the other side of the creek is another of my favorite sites camping sites with a view of Red Mountain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you want more information about camping in the area, visit the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=57755&actid=29" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website</a>.</span></div>
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-10077953587581406302015-03-16T04:50:00.002-07:002015-03-17T07:05:37.768-07:00RV Laundry Woes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Quest for Quarters</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01Q8HmTMOXh7gqLwSxF4eJLMGhw-CrzmBYZOfb3hKEXr6GeSaxHcgFt-eYl9Z27hOKSEmJbuN14CmDU96sRdU2JPBxrxbQjIV5v9bVJZ5vwb0E1w3TStykf4dnC7OaAxq-BzAUoUZHBM/s1600/022+-+Coin-op+Laundry+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh01Q8HmTMOXh7gqLwSxF4eJLMGhw-CrzmBYZOfb3hKEXr6GeSaxHcgFt-eYl9Z27hOKSEmJbuN14CmDU96sRdU2JPBxrxbQjIV5v9bVJZ5vwb0E1w3TStykf4dnC7OaAxq-BzAUoUZHBM/s1600/022+-+Coin-op+Laundry+sign.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coin-op Laundry Sign</td></tr>
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Our RV isn't equipped with a washer and dryer so we realized we would need to use the coin-op laundry at the RV park or a laundromat to do our wash. The RV park where we are living has a nice laundry room and it is just a short walk up the road. I used apartment house laundry rooms and laundromats before I owned my own home umpteen years ago so I didn't think it would be a big deal. Been there, done that - I can do it again! But when you've owned your own home for over 40 years, including your own own washer and dryer, it is easy to forget those long ago laundromat irritations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmwSWegg7z4NbNMMLh3HlsJxX93HSGSpmsE-aCvw2EDUVy8chuABBw9ax1tKKR99eumebRaENfihrFlDUH8WvfZ4mRRWBb5C2SuhpPvCFfSbHyFO863vyB4YrEmBeT95tXb7friEkmxg/s1600/Laundry+001+-+bag+o+quarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmwSWegg7z4NbNMMLh3HlsJxX93HSGSpmsE-aCvw2EDUVy8chuABBw9ax1tKKR99eumebRaENfihrFlDUH8WvfZ4mRRWBb5C2SuhpPvCFfSbHyFO863vyB4YrEmBeT95tXb7friEkmxg/s1600/Laundry+001+-+bag+o+quarters.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bag of Quarters for the coin-op laundry</td></tr>
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The laundry room doesn't have a change machine, so we find ourselves on a constant quest for quarters! We do most of our banking online or through ATMs, so we seldom have any reason to go into a bank until now. To skip an extra stop at a bank, every time we go into a grocery store, we ask if we can trade a $10 bill for a roll of quarters - sometimes they will - sometimes not. <br />
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I find myself putting a $5 bill into vending machines and pressing the coin return without buying anything to get $5 in quarters. I've become a quarter hoarder!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FT2Vc3ZeA7IPAsIDC_lmSZEX-S-3ECCVMC6rRmqWuwIAx4NpWiPzT2CalFKxpY04nFl4w37DmZPSSXdudprzYZC00cC8RSKGI0dlBpDxbI73OuyWeu0867gJDnCcZ7Ba18Jm89oT2Z0/s1600/Brandy's%2BBaby%2BShower%2B021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FT2Vc3ZeA7IPAsIDC_lmSZEX-S-3ECCVMC6rRmqWuwIAx4NpWiPzT2CalFKxpY04nFl4w37DmZPSSXdudprzYZC00cC8RSKGI0dlBpDxbI73OuyWeu0867gJDnCcZ7Ba18Jm89oT2Z0/s1600/Brandy's%2BBaby%2BShower%2B021.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've started to measure the cost of doing laundry measured in quarters. The washing machines cost 5 quarters per load.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF-L5GqjutnZSwkej8gQb8j0m4Ryt38dhiORF2SZUdi3EBbgytRS6JpBnGcnMM7rMQL6viELbFm89hQPaJoolPDDNgmxd4wfDL_E2EkGYhs6hSNang2PHy5zTai5UHG9h13lUFC8SvMI/s1600/Laundry+011+-+Washing+Machine+1.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF-L5GqjutnZSwkej8gQb8j0m4Ryt38dhiORF2SZUdi3EBbgytRS6JpBnGcnMM7rMQL6viELbFm89hQPaJoolPDDNgmxd4wfDL_E2EkGYhs6hSNang2PHy5zTai5UHG9h13lUFC8SvMI/s1600/Laundry+011+-+Washing+Machine+1.25.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coin Operated Washing Machine</td></tr>
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The dryer costs 4 quarters for 1 hour of drying time. A total of 9 quarters to wash and dry a load. I look at my plastic baggie of quarters - do I have enough?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOLWZ_YuFQgozRo6v6IAKCAAg4-EV4kUELGEjMe-FYB9rqmiE5xuDucSinFNOEZG8iS9PZCTMWncvSessKcqt6dKYk-AutJ_N4zA9ZA2vrA47f0Pcv74IpcxMPZPxbFNOWYcDNnsIi1A/s1600/Laundry+012+-+Dryer+-+1.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOLWZ_YuFQgozRo6v6IAKCAAg4-EV4kUELGEjMe-FYB9rqmiE5xuDucSinFNOEZG8iS9PZCTMWncvSessKcqt6dKYk-AutJ_N4zA9ZA2vrA47f0Pcv74IpcxMPZPxbFNOWYcDNnsIi1A/s1600/Laundry+012+-+Dryer+-+1.00.jpg" height="310" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coin Operated Dryer</td></tr>
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Then there was the week (or was it 2 weeks) when 3 out of the 5 dryers in the laundry room were out of order. During that time, when I needed to do laundry, I set my alarm to get up early so I could be the first one to put my clothes in the washer. Then I could be sure there would be a working dryer available when my clothes were done in the washing machine.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrjIOWVWS25qwW5IicYXGQ0e01G7n9TRuZaYctTptB4cOy0pR_BtVJteSApIMCh-K5OTLeXdvWXim-P0YcoIpiBjoLwoy-HYajbBwOfv_pufcnfPJ9Rx_CltbVStTdtD7Xku5IlbU5uI/s1600/Laundry+002+-+out+of+order+dryers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrjIOWVWS25qwW5IicYXGQ0e01G7n9TRuZaYctTptB4cOy0pR_BtVJteSApIMCh-K5OTLeXdvWXim-P0YcoIpiBjoLwoy-HYajbBwOfv_pufcnfPJ9Rx_CltbVStTdtD7Xku5IlbU5uI/s1600/Laundry+002+-+out+of+order+dryers.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of Order Dryers</td></tr>
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In defense of the RV park, I think the manager called for repairs promptly, but apparently it took some time for a repair service to schedule an appointment or there were parts that needed to be ordered before the repairs could be completed.<br />
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The lesson here is don't turn into a quarter hoarder! If you think you may ever want to go on extended trips or live in your RV full time, I would look for a model with a washer and dryer. Since I don't have that option, I am considering purchasing a small portable dryer, does anyone have any experience with the one pictured below?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0092JSGXI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0092JSGXI&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=U7AODTKR45B4IVWG"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0092JSGXI&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0092JSGXI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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Any other compact washer or dryer recommendations?</div>
Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-39747673716445971532015-03-03T04:31:00.001-08:002015-10-20T09:13:59.170-07:00Prepping an RV for Winter Living<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Before we started living in our RV full-time, my husband just drained the tanks and water lines, added antifreeze, plugged in a dehumidifier, covered it and parked it over the winter. We tried using it a couple of times on camping trips in the colder months and from those experiences knew our RV wasn't well-insulated for living in it year round. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6kdvzgqdB5fTyL5q-3GKE_LdlbK7A8C0iPloUBdVUO81bQVV75bp-vbpGapLB8gHCILvQbXvICbefAZ6I4qvdny9BmPWhzZkE20ra2FE1W2ckBOp9log8f7RTCobBnG8YBy2z32p4w/s1600/017+-+Water+Pipe+insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9S6kdvzgqdB5fTyL5q-3GKE_LdlbK7A8C0iPloUBdVUO81bQVV75bp-vbpGapLB8gHCILvQbXvICbefAZ6I4qvdny9BmPWhzZkE20ra2FE1W2ckBOp9log8f7RTCobBnG8YBy2z32p4w/s1600/017+-+Water+Pipe+insulation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winterized water line in the RV Park</td></tr>
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To keep the water lines from freezing we followed the suggestions of the RV park staff. The hydrant and waterlines were wrapped with roof de-icing cable and then covered with foam pipe insulation. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=pnwtravelsandtails-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000DZHF14&asins=B000DZHF14&linkId=K55UA3NHUI52AYWF&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"><br />
</iframe></div>
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The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DGAKF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000DGAKF&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=GBFNFCKMGNADMC74" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">roof and gutter de-icing cables</a> were recommended over the heating tape and cables that are usually used by home-owners for metal plumbing pipes<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NDAgo_KvdRvuPErjdm2aO_2LbxusRt-E6_hBE8U71QOmORkKqjDJo0STUi8LNdRmzMF8BDDfAB_VdNRTb0xN6-EaHgVad8LOvjinHQ4arkoAEb6YFVlo2qiHv8IWBL8yrM_KjMGXO38/s1600/019+-+Water+connection+insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NDAgo_KvdRvuPErjdm2aO_2LbxusRt-E6_hBE8U71QOmORkKqjDJo0STUi8LNdRmzMF8BDDfAB_VdNRTb0xN6-EaHgVad8LOvjinHQ4arkoAEb6YFVlo2qiHv8IWBL8yrM_KjMGXO38/s1600/019+-+Water+connection+insulation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foam pipe insulation on the RV water line </td></tr>
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To give the hydrant a little extra protection from the cold, a plastic 5-gallon bucket was placed on top upside down. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQlcxKvjwyMUIMbXKN16-lg-jeRPM5xlN1KaoPy0ipF59DM5MQXxfWP-mzxcZeO2lzmxgM1rfG0AF1hlMy0kRQ9RanwZhjT2nT1CNgAZh0cPwokhSMSmxgsLGupbM0sl4cnpFOnrlIoQ/s1600/Insulating+the+hydrant+with+a+bucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQlcxKvjwyMUIMbXKN16-lg-jeRPM5xlN1KaoPy0ipF59DM5MQXxfWP-mzxcZeO2lzmxgM1rfG0AF1hlMy0kRQ9RanwZhjT2nT1CNgAZh0cPwokhSMSmxgsLGupbM0sl4cnpFOnrlIoQ/s1600/Insulating+the+hydrant+with+a+bucket.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Since the Pacific Northwest usually has fairly mild winters, the temperature doesn't often go below much below freezing for more than a day or two. So we kept an eye on the weather forecast and only turned on the heating cables when the temperature was predicted to be below freezing because we didn't really like how warm it kept the cold water coming from the tap. That worked fine until we went away to visit relatives for 5 days over Thanksgiving. We checked the forecast before we left and the low temperatures at night were predicted to be in the mid 30s and daytime highs in the 40s. The Seattle area is notorious for having inaccurate weather forecasts, so we should have known better. We did take the precaution of shutting off our water heater and the water at the hydrant. A couple of days after we left the temperatures dropped lower than we expected and we came home to our 5th wheel to find an icicle hanging from our kitchen faucet - darn- didn't get a photo! We were able to unthaw the pipes quickly and fortunately there was no damage. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZD0dT6GfCSMIKLzPAI1_mI4taMZHvufVVTldk_7MUWSD9mJ5_S_qg-qHW1BARn4iraFokslkBnT0LtnfcJsfRsTvhXfaV9l2wKFXg66NWH82-09uAxEkMTOeGQh-OHpoNdyMXJ07Agc/s1600/Heating+coil+thermostat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZD0dT6GfCSMIKLzPAI1_mI4taMZHvufVVTldk_7MUWSD9mJ5_S_qg-qHW1BARn4iraFokslkBnT0LtnfcJsfRsTvhXfaV9l2wKFXg66NWH82-09uAxEkMTOeGQh-OHpoNdyMXJ07Agc/s1600/Heating+coil+thermostat.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thermostat for the roof de-icing cable</td></tr>
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We did some research and bought a fairly inexpensive little thermostat that is made for use with the de-icing cable. We plug the de-icing cable into the thermostat unit and it turns on the cable automatically when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. So far it has worked fine and now our cold water isn't warm all of the time. Unfortunately it looks like this product is no longer available which is too bad because it worked great.</div>
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We knew our vents were also a source of heat loss, so we bought some vent pillows to insulate them better. We did notice that they need to be removed periodically to prevent condensation and mold growth. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVpnkkzGiRW5eues8Jae7WhZ4Hq-ZoCt2DjdEYAyYhb1t6u0JDQxqWW5UcCnUJjjJkxDublMHlPGHDfG8GNonh4XVB9YpyacbyRUkmLe46iF3HiTkrNi30nKF4SC_EQHbkxtrU20AYy4/s1600/Vent+Insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVpnkkzGiRW5eues8Jae7WhZ4Hq-ZoCt2DjdEYAyYhb1t6u0JDQxqWW5UcCnUJjjJkxDublMHlPGHDfG8GNonh4XVB9YpyacbyRUkmLe46iF3HiTkrNi30nKF4SC_EQHbkxtrU20AYy4/s1600/Vent+Insulation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulation for RV vents</td></tr>
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We just wait for a fairly sunny day every 3-4 weeks to remove the pillow, wipe away any moisture and let the pillow and vent dry for a few hours.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=picnicpointpe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B0027XGIKO&asins=B0027XGIKO&linkId=KS6YEPLLJD5SM3H5&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br /></div>
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The windows in our RV are single pane so we knew they were causing a huge heat loss and were also forming a lot of condensation. We bought about 4 of these inexpensive window film insulation kits on sale. We used my hair blow-drier to heat the film to shrink it. The window film made a huge difference both in reducing the amount of cold drafts and the amount of condensation on the windows for very little cost.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive8UJwQWvfwFm-PxeyCU7Ixrp6dAW8_tc-mjiXZbSDkQp5s4wNcQXGRp5PmvQkhzOhCR_rizBfgnNPsofgqtVJF3rrA9gWFEn7_n-lqJTJjNLa0EkvenMynoHbauFl_TDZwk8x3DV8g8/s1600/Ace+Window+Insulation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEive8UJwQWvfwFm-PxeyCU7Ixrp6dAW8_tc-mjiXZbSDkQp5s4wNcQXGRp5PmvQkhzOhCR_rizBfgnNPsofgqtVJF3rrA9gWFEn7_n-lqJTJjNLa0EkvenMynoHbauFl_TDZwk8x3DV8g8/s1600/Ace+Window+Insulation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Film window insulation</td></tr>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=picnicpointpe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000PCZ5RG&asins=B000PCZ5RG&linkId=P6XZA6MYHDYBEUNF&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe></div>
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We did need to buy an additional roll of the adhesive tape that is used to attach the edges of the film to the windows.</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=picnicpointpe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000UGSYCA&asins=B000UGSYCA&linkId=EODR65UZCBJXKVZ6&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br />
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The film wasn't that difficult to install and is virtually invisible on the windows. I took this close-up of the only window where I could find a little visible wrinkle. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BstlAQjEKn1oUnSzMyJSrjF_HPGWo6OjUeu9PF3_2-uekWEn5IoQYu2sRrVtP9EL6V2nNNFH1D1Mcdmq7jIg630wO8XU7OQtZK7R2VBCfvezpNnBseMO0Odvxz0bRhn2LfjOF2rqyJ0/s1600/Window+wrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BstlAQjEKn1oUnSzMyJSrjF_HPGWo6OjUeu9PF3_2-uekWEn5IoQYu2sRrVtP9EL6V2nNNFH1D1Mcdmq7jIg630wO8XU7OQtZK7R2VBCfvezpNnBseMO0Odvxz0bRhn2LfjOF2rqyJ0/s1600/Window+wrap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Film insulation on the inside of an RV window</td></tr>
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These few items really helped to make our 5th wheel more warm and comfortable over the winter months.<br />
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<br />Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-58851184876324370002015-02-18T04:29:00.000-08:002016-01-27T13:49:52.769-08:00Sh!tter's Full - RV Holding Tank Problems<br />
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One afternoon as I came in the door when I arrived home after work, I heard my husband's voice from somewhere in the bowels of the RV, "Don't use the bathroom!" He knows I usually head in that general direction after my hour-long commute home on the bus. When I asked him what was wrong, he answered "shitter's full" quoting one of the scenes from the movie <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VBIGD6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000VBIGD6&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=BJSUMLLOXTZSDCVR%22%3ENational%20Lampoon%27s%20Christmas%20Vacation%20(Special%20Edition)%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000VBIGD6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Christmas Vacation</a> that we've joked about many times since we started thinking about living in our RV.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BeskbiJjCXI" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=picnicpointpe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B000VBIGD6&asins=B000VBIGD6&linkId=WCA2IY6C4M2PQGUU&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br />
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Our 5th wheel is pretty basic and doesn't have a black water tank flushing system. When we hooked up our sewer pipe to the RV Park sewer system we just left the valve to the tank open to the sewer pipe to drain continuously. Apparently that may not have been a good idea - another newbie mistake. Now the sewer line was clogged and the tank was full.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-hr88yjdse1f4VV2CLEljQ1hW8EF2lHeyeG_Qhz7YlG5t1qkYgcpEvSxu7O5EyLHih7-xP82ayvh6CTdXY3KYWItPVCW85ksyn2nrSTkoXhZSSsvtPt6lHviy-TP3UY2w6SlCKeO2Sg/s1600/RV+Toilet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-hr88yjdse1f4VV2CLEljQ1hW8EF2lHeyeG_Qhz7YlG5t1qkYgcpEvSxu7O5EyLHih7-xP82ayvh6CTdXY3KYWItPVCW85ksyn2nrSTkoXhZSSsvtPt6lHviy-TP3UY2w6SlCKeO2Sg/s640/RV+Toilet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is something very ominous about looking into a toilet with a full holding tank. Fortunately the RV Park has a nice shower facility available to guests which includes toilets, so we schlepped up the road and made use of the park facilities for the rest of the day and night while we searched the internet to look for ideas of how to unclog our toilet. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdRGLJ2BSJLl8tLFV-2htf__PJPTdMVvg6ItNlIleLPPZvyR3x2jkInZzSraFsKNi2P4izvuMoqFeyLNShBdP4iAAMwWYHanpPlvhCmaIPg89fW7gy1MynNPgTTzJrZohO4F81l9aolc/s1600/Bathroom+and+Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdRGLJ2BSJLl8tLFV-2htf__PJPTdMVvg6ItNlIleLPPZvyR3x2jkInZzSraFsKNi2P4izvuMoqFeyLNShBdP4iAAMwWYHanpPlvhCmaIPg89fW7gy1MynNPgTTzJrZohO4F81l9aolc/s640/Bathroom+and+Shower.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RV Park Shower and Bathroom</td></tr>
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There were all sorts of after-market sewer flushing systems out there available on Amazon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BUQOAE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BUQOAE&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=JVSNJYZP4LAKUGVF"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000BUQOAE&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" height="200" width="128" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000BUQOAE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BUU5TU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BUU5TU&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=HNKL5DB7ULZUQEXQ"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000BUU5TU&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" height="127" width="200" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000BUU5TU" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000BGHYDO" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDOSM4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000EDOSM4&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=KNDMGRLAZD6Q7DOG"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B000EDOSM4&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" height="200" width="89" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000EDOSM4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
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But of course, even with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/video/primesignup/?ref_=assoc_tag_ph_1402131641212&ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=pf4&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=ISJVOA7HGNOFHNQW" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon Prime</a> and free 2-day shipping we really didn't want to wait two days to fix our sewer problem. There are were a couple of places that sell RV supplies about 25 miles away, but several hardware stores that are much closer. So first thing the next morning my husband stopped at the hardware store to look for some ideas before driving all the way to the nearest RV specialty supply business. He saw a ten foot length of 1/2" ENT flexible blue conduit for about 3 bucks and decided to buy some to use to make a snake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iQuBNhn13JA59fd8Y_XRDmYgUo1ATmj9nGaZ-gHFn0GqzyP31hBHV0ODnr7UsGJzeuLNtdM4F_DSVhjsrBeikkP2K0fPtSVINcREYk6Z5xfms6-ELE5E2qnXDt1kSD_29NpeWTVUSfU/s1600/Duct+tape+on+hose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iQuBNhn13JA59fd8Y_XRDmYgUo1ATmj9nGaZ-gHFn0GqzyP31hBHV0ODnr7UsGJzeuLNtdM4F_DSVhjsrBeikkP2K0fPtSVINcREYk6Z5xfms6-ELE5E2qnXDt1kSD_29NpeWTVUSfU/s640/Duct+tape+on+hose.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corrugated flexible 1/2" ENT Flex Conduit- end sealed with duct tape</td></tr>
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He left the black water tank valve open to the sewer pipe outside. Then he went inside the RV, wrapped one end of the tube with duct tape to seal one end, shut off the water, opened the toilet flush valve and snaked the tubing down the hole a couple of times. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpxf4MrfT1v5y8fHcAhk-TJeaidDRlh6ZP-lvZ3vLnGa1HaBIxDhQvp8P8JkARcuz7KaKzQCzDlTsdwk4AmVY-KODDRzVRPtHd8BXtg8gJEdM6SldRRjXBBgtKCOs44P9KjL8hJgctw0/s1600/Tube+down+the+toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpxf4MrfT1v5y8fHcAhk-TJeaidDRlh6ZP-lvZ3vLnGa1HaBIxDhQvp8P8JkARcuz7KaKzQCzDlTsdwk4AmVY-KODDRzVRPtHd8BXtg8gJEdM6SldRRjXBBgtKCOs44P9KjL8hJgctw0/s640/Tube+down+the+toilet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a homemade snake to unclog the RV waste tank</td></tr>
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Success! The clog was broken up and the tank emptied. Fixed for less than $5. He then filled a bucket with water and flushed the system by pouring a couple of gallons of water down the toilet. We have since left the black water tank valve closed and only open as necessary when the tank gets about 2/3 full. After opening the valve to empty the tank, he always flushes it with a bucket or two of water. He then shuts the black water tank valve again and adds a package of holding tank deodorant from the toilet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AZ75Z/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0000AZ75Z&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=3T7ZN7YNHLRW2FI5"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0000AZ75Z&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=picnicpointpe-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AZ75Z" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </div>
We've had no problems with clogs in the 4 months since he started using this process.<br />
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<a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit" onclick="window.location = '//www.reddit.com/submit?url=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location); return false"> <img alt="submit to reddit" border="0" src="//www.redditstatic.com/spreddit12.gif" /> </a>Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-14536865943609614162015-02-11T14:57:00.001-08:002023-05-28T23:56:33.600-07:00Up in a Tree House at Treehouse Point<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temple of the Blue Moon Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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Although I've always been fascinated with tree houses, perhaps my interest in tiny spaces has been rekindled by living full time in an RV for several months. Another benefit to RV living is with a such a small place to clean and no garden to maintain, I've got more free time to spend having fun! I decided to sign up for a tour of the amazing treehouses at <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/6440110/type/dlg/http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g58528-d1444452-Reviews-Treehouse_Point-Issaquah_Washington.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Treehouse Point Bed and Breakfast</a>, where you can sleep in the trees. This unique tree house hotel is located near Fall City, Washington, a few miles east of Seattle. Treehouse Point is the creation of Pete Nelson before he became well-known on the popular <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R041FKI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00R041FKI&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=OUFKESWFR42OXWEI%22%3ETreehouse%20Masters:%20Season%201%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00R041FKI" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Treehouse Masters</a> TV show. Tours are available by reservation only through <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/918486/event/894188" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brown Paper Tickets</a>.<br />
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Where is Treehouse Point?</h2>
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A rather obscure sign along the Preston-Fall City Road marks the entrance to Treehouse Point.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Point Entrance Sign</td></tr>
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Inside the entrance I made a sharp right turn and got my first glimpse of the charming craftsman-style office building and the parking lot. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Point Office and Parking Lot</td></tr>
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The tour I took had included a total of about 18 people and we were instructed by a sign to gather in front of the office no earlier that 15 minutes before the tour was to begin. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Point Office</td></tr>
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Inside the office it was verified that we were on the list for the tour and not surprisingly, since we would be climbing up into trees, we were all required to sign a liability release.<br />
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As the tour began we passed by the Nelson Treehouse Supply Company which sells tree house designs and the hardware for building a treehouse. The second floor office is where Pete Nelson works when he is not out of the office meeting with people who want a treehouse or filming the Treehouse Masters TV show.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Temple of the Blue Moon Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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On this particular tour we were able to see all of the Pete Nelson tree houses in the order in which they were built, starting with the one named the Temple of the Blue Moon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Temple of the Blue Moon Tree House</td></tr>
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After crossing the suspension bridge I stepped inside to a surprisingly spacious room furnished with a table, bookcase and two leather armchairs in addition to the comfy bed. Only one of the tree houses has its own bathroom with running water and traditional plumbing. Some of the others have a composting toilet and all guests have use of shared bathroom/showers down on the ground. The composting toilets are mainly for those middle of the night bathroom trips when it might not be convenient to go to the bathrooms on the ground.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Composting Toilet</td></tr>
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We climbed a rustic spiral staircase around a western red cedar tree to see the Trillium, the next tree house on our tour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmbB3BEp3oJSC5U84j2CbbMoftG-LC_0wyRiwdNtS2NI3Tfj0ZVaOL1G8JxQ6sHT_HFgf9fBU4wa04_MmJ_q319JNQxwH_emSSOnmM6fGJtO-nNe8FA31AY0D-cHK5R0ya3k9Zj_dQ8I/s1600/037-+Treehouse+Point+-+Trillium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmbB3BEp3oJSC5U84j2CbbMoftG-LC_0wyRiwdNtS2NI3Tfj0ZVaOL1G8JxQ6sHT_HFgf9fBU4wa04_MmJ_q319JNQxwH_emSSOnmM6fGJtO-nNe8FA31AY0D-cHK5R0ya3k9Zj_dQ8I/s640/037-+Treehouse+Point+-+Trillium.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trillium Tree House at Treehouse Point<br />
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After arriving inside the Trillium the most impressive feature is a gorgeous two-story wall of windows on three sides.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX-ytly1_v1gYgoap2BPWeiwGtSJUnszASS2sGFXwSnWw6vr_xPUMcNp_oN3cMfyclzki7Fn1DRNrPZesUB2Gm31TK3QYLNw0UCAPrR36so7ZbW-6rkORcB0nJ_4NFyHcShoPMUkzqz4/s1600/056+-+Treehouse+Point+-+2-story+View+Trillium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX-ytly1_v1gYgoap2BPWeiwGtSJUnszASS2sGFXwSnWw6vr_xPUMcNp_oN3cMfyclzki7Fn1DRNrPZesUB2Gm31TK3QYLNw0UCAPrR36so7ZbW-6rkORcB0nJ_4NFyHcShoPMUkzqz4/s640/056+-+Treehouse+Point+-+2-story+View+Trillium.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Trillium Tree House</td></tr>
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A ladder leads up to a loft where the bed is located.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladder to the loft in the Trillium tree house</td></tr>
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A comfortable bed on the second floor loft looks out through the windows to views of the surrounding forest. The trillium is really like a glass house with a total of 80 windows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trillium Tree House Bed</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Our next stop was the Upper Pond tree house which is accessed with a ladder. The rope and pulley under the roof overhang is used to pull up luggage.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsuS4qQFV4UtVqzD6gtit5Kq2M6_zO-tkOVXpCnAKmq66WNg4ArI3nl9jn6GpeyLp-cSl4vxtx0pbWzUi-l2FwJtE940csYqLXsQUhaeyOl6aXftG7zuPsZwk447jtmEuF-HX_1A1-dA/s1600/064-+Treehouse+Point+-+Upper+Pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsuS4qQFV4UtVqzD6gtit5Kq2M6_zO-tkOVXpCnAKmq66WNg4ArI3nl9jn6GpeyLp-cSl4vxtx0pbWzUi-l2FwJtE940csYqLXsQUhaeyOl6aXftG7zuPsZwk447jtmEuF-HX_1A1-dA/s640/064-+Treehouse+Point+-+Upper+Pond.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Pond Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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Upper Pond is the only tree house at Treehouse Point with more than one bed. In addition to the main bed it has two upper bunks.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Upper Pond Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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The Nest is smallest of the tree houses and as the name suggests, has a bird theme.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZFD0tpbSzcTY8c39hpqpR-UE8-tAmPWrieBM9T5ONuHml3s9pd2aLaWSWxaF5RECWZlJjp0uKUF6awcRDKX6Ls4glmMQjG7yheOEoS0zTcf9tUV1flhsYbBonGrQGcwvrzsM-_W3FKE/s1600/081+-Treehouse+Point+-+Nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZFD0tpbSzcTY8c39hpqpR-UE8-tAmPWrieBM9T5ONuHml3s9pd2aLaWSWxaF5RECWZlJjp0uKUF6awcRDKX6Ls4glmMQjG7yheOEoS0zTcf9tUV1flhsYbBonGrQGcwvrzsM-_W3FKE/s640/081+-Treehouse+Point+-+Nest.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nest Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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After climbing the stairs, step inside a cozy little bedroom with bird decor that includes artwork of birds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikxMKbbAoU-gpxgpPYoIxMv1c4DQBS88x9uQzOaJrRe_qZOEK5mKyKVUIs8BwRYvgp2cDzPGVTFeuxcSybqFYuPDI4bOOX4r81LQDAvoZyGNmO1-KhDQvFMyQQcbg3akBM7KQr3gX3r0/s1600/085+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Nest+Bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikxMKbbAoU-gpxgpPYoIxMv1c4DQBS88x9uQzOaJrRe_qZOEK5mKyKVUIs8BwRYvgp2cDzPGVTFeuxcSybqFYuPDI4bOOX4r81LQDAvoZyGNmO1-KhDQvFMyQQcbg3akBM7KQr3gX3r0/s640/085+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Nest+Bed.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Nest Tree House</td></tr>
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A staircase winding around the trees led us to the Bonbibi, our next destination. A small deck was created underneath providing a place to sit and relax sheltered from rain or sun.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll2-_mnPn_csw37A-8H2nVgBvFPaghee_ltafoce5Rn5b6MAis2a0bLy3W7vv89U7wNxoUXI8YC8z40ngq1gaPOEQENcYKvv_Dlf4ViBEV_JSBjqouhqM-PRiq80of19P6TFcT3B2TcI/s1600/097+Bonbibi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgll2-_mnPn_csw37A-8H2nVgBvFPaghee_ltafoce5Rn5b6MAis2a0bLy3W7vv89U7wNxoUXI8YC8z40ngq1gaPOEQENcYKvv_Dlf4ViBEV_JSBjqouhqM-PRiq80of19P6TFcT3B2TcI/s640/097+Bonbibi.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonbibi Tree House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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The housekeeping staff had not yet finished making the bed when I visited, but it still looked like a cozy space with windows over the headboard and bookcases. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH-95QHyVjQvoM37bEu-gQ0vx2VFqadtQ-BJgeBXTGrApDw7JIBTls3br5fvH7t1BqqIiZZseuFJInUCw6e0rSWdtZsA3uLni6N258P6OW7l2G4UnI1OajK5ufLxl8diyeM3hdPoDVr8/s1600/100+-+Treehouse+Point+-+inside+bonbibi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH-95QHyVjQvoM37bEu-gQ0vx2VFqadtQ-BJgeBXTGrApDw7JIBTls3br5fvH7t1BqqIiZZseuFJInUCw6e0rSWdtZsA3uLni6N258P6OW7l2G4UnI1OajK5ufLxl8diyeM3hdPoDVr8/s640/100+-+Treehouse+Point+-+inside+bonbibi.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Bonbibi Tree House</td></tr>
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The newest addition and the last one on the tour was the Burl. A bridge extends from the ground to the tree house built around a magnificent old Douglas fir tree that is over 200 feet tall.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NEdoeIQVv_vBwSgYjHDcDoot3-QLzDS_doapXep1JhqYpjMXM2IAoFH2iNbXBTEuYjjnqiQ3aX9HqiyEfey4UNCdrZ6qzDfAJ3L0FEE7tjDYvRlLDiqrnUIMWcnBO-l1P0KJVB0AGek/s1600/104+-+Treehouse+Point+-Burl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NEdoeIQVv_vBwSgYjHDcDoot3-QLzDS_doapXep1JhqYpjMXM2IAoFH2iNbXBTEuYjjnqiQ3aX9HqiyEfey4UNCdrZ6qzDfAJ3L0FEE7tjDYvRlLDiqrnUIMWcnBO-l1P0KJVB0AGek/s640/104+-+Treehouse+Point+-Burl.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Burl Tree House at Treehouse Point<br />
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Inside there is a lovely sitting room with antique furniture and decor.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdmrmJuXzeK49CR9HszsWNq5jFtLwqWVJdgofyfEe0QFZwMuA-HxDCfImaPsBaA8Tocjdozd1rt0gg_fpt6INXHOYgUoLQRnQGVTQ7oia3DpGO_mKsFeiOpOgg6gmZJ-ljrTGowZe94/s1600/116+-+Treehouse+Point+-+chairs+inside+the+burl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXdmrmJuXzeK49CR9HszsWNq5jFtLwqWVJdgofyfEe0QFZwMuA-HxDCfImaPsBaA8Tocjdozd1rt0gg_fpt6INXHOYgUoLQRnQGVTQ7oia3DpGO_mKsFeiOpOgg6gmZJ-ljrTGowZe94/s640/116+-+Treehouse+Point+-+chairs+inside+the+burl.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Burl Tree House</td></tr>
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The Burl, like the Trillium, is two stories tall with a ladder to access the bedroom in the loft. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFXgCafczl-acv2BVgxiCIGBucViwUhcn5T5-Tt2IPqAUHoai-vl87mi1dvTyr1nRi52OzvvY60zhSH3vxc6r2rXehL6zeILND1u-Adac4Mf0x0PdIn9AN8aK4lTWQNrdouGUoaKgk8w/s1600/117+-+Treehouse+Point+-+ladder+inside+the+burl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFXgCafczl-acv2BVgxiCIGBucViwUhcn5T5-Tt2IPqAUHoai-vl87mi1dvTyr1nRi52OzvvY60zhSH3vxc6r2rXehL6zeILND1u-Adac4Mf0x0PdIn9AN8aK4lTWQNrdouGUoaKgk8w/s640/117+-+Treehouse+Point+-+ladder+inside+the+burl.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladder to the Loft Inside the Burl Tree House</td></tr>
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The bedroom loft has windows all around to enjoy the view in every direction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS5bwXzp64QfBL-MHAvvdbS7qYs8eIjllu7Uz02_uhBkGjG4RKBU0AZWKnxJhLUD5wVKnkQxixEBDyiVfYj44xN9hM59vt1wnDcEDor5Ny3hCQSRNr5w66acpWVfPYe4Lk-Yf4NM3FsE/s1600/118+-+Burl+inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS5bwXzp64QfBL-MHAvvdbS7qYs8eIjllu7Uz02_uhBkGjG4RKBU0AZWKnxJhLUD5wVKnkQxixEBDyiVfYj44xN9hM59vt1wnDcEDor5Ny3hCQSRNr5w66acpWVfPYe4Lk-Yf4NM3FsE/s640/118+-+Burl+inside.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Burl is the only tree house at Treehouse Point that has a bathroom inside with running water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVCUmGbb6kJkFCOYgacgd-dLWD-26aMiAXCrk86IQGxdOaNgJA1695Fn8XhJIpXwm0tKabCr4SjsZO4MN1g9STjp5ZlmekeQbMU8sQmbt8frSLVbMqSw3Q0cbmCPBTk3mB7e6iywiZgU/s1600/122+-+Burl+Bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVCUmGbb6kJkFCOYgacgd-dLWD-26aMiAXCrk86IQGxdOaNgJA1695Fn8XhJIpXwm0tKabCr4SjsZO4MN1g9STjp5ZlmekeQbMU8sQmbt8frSLVbMqSw3Q0cbmCPBTk3mB7e6iywiZgU/s640/122+-+Burl+Bathroom.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The other bathrooms and showers are located in modern, clean buildings and shared by all guests.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqQxaP90TFon0oyDFkH6KdDe22IKOgw7ymSEeIlKiozRuuWIaTVAAfiZgDSzgpGLIPXQbLT8QynSeQypI4i58nP0QfLcQv0KbEVDRba2OhciB0KpuqDB5xO1bnA_9DwZZzTEZow5u-c/s1600/040+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Bath+houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNqQxaP90TFon0oyDFkH6KdDe22IKOgw7ymSEeIlKiozRuuWIaTVAAfiZgDSzgpGLIPXQbLT8QynSeQypI4i58nP0QfLcQv0KbEVDRba2OhciB0KpuqDB5xO1bnA_9DwZZzTEZow5u-c/s640/040+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Bath+houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shared Guest Bathrooms at TreeHouse Point.</td></tr>
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I peeked inside one of the bath houses for guests. It had the woodsy scent of cedar like the inside of a sauna!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVOoaSvo_DDAf3ShlqU0VbZVtTRfjJcnNhjF_wfOwuCpNDSDam2iFIzZ_LJjPNESJev5QRFb5zRvXgLZoIlOcXfjyZc9DIvBGCY2JKLU7qTTr0Mo_EBdoHdmJgokM8Q60RoKGyEfDwPQ/s1600/092+-+Treehouse+Point+-Inside+Bath+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVOoaSvo_DDAf3ShlqU0VbZVtTRfjJcnNhjF_wfOwuCpNDSDam2iFIzZ_LJjPNESJev5QRFb5zRvXgLZoIlOcXfjyZc9DIvBGCY2JKLU7qTTr0Mo_EBdoHdmJgokM8Q60RoKGyEfDwPQ/s640/092+-+Treehouse+Point+-Inside+Bath+Room.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside a Bath House at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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For weddings or other events Treehouse Point offers treehouse rentals of the entire facility with all of the tree houses and a meeting room. The meeting room has a glass garage door can be opened to an adjoining large covered patio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTuIANDTYxZvVXHDl9mfBTGBcnFJmSp_7xdtwZv4manbU9C1tlzBe927FW1vWRpxcC95rftMJBc5Gg0v-mmwVBOcwIW5_ltkq9hwT3YyQvJ6wpQg9dKlxSozPf-U8lAqzcenKNR-ZQks/s1600/061+-+Treehouse+Point+-Meeting+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTuIANDTYxZvVXHDl9mfBTGBcnFJmSp_7xdtwZv4manbU9C1tlzBe927FW1vWRpxcC95rftMJBc5Gg0v-mmwVBOcwIW5_ltkq9hwT3YyQvJ6wpQg9dKlxSozPf-U8lAqzcenKNR-ZQks/s640/061+-+Treehouse+Point+-Meeting+room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treehouse Point Meeting Room</td></tr>
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Another door from the meeting room opens to a covered deck with rustic tables and chairs overlooking a pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZukA-6L9l5LdL2RSqgmDPBuOiLlhZGcDVB9rRNkad9_w7cz3Mo9VFFso3X7jlodXGFT3KDpccpFD-ofmbEN-mKlRR3wgxoqS7zEmPmLkTY9w0e1nBA8ONBq2LMB6zZLhjsZ0_jEBm5k/s1600/038+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Rustic+tables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZukA-6L9l5LdL2RSqgmDPBuOiLlhZGcDVB9rRNkad9_w7cz3Mo9VFFso3X7jlodXGFT3KDpccpFD-ofmbEN-mKlRR3wgxoqS7zEmPmLkTY9w0e1nBA8ONBq2LMB6zZLhjsZ0_jEBm5k/s640/038+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Rustic+tables.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoor Covered Deck at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzdmaZbaO5e8E5xq7diM34qhPNMrx5mpLfgp4xhx9Y8P3KIjRiw936WtPNmaPqFdlvlAtPz_TVRdafbeQlJJa_m4xAVYIGDmVlJqofCQPxqgVnnFbLgwX1gLaxf5mQRE5kh95GjyH7t4/s1600/144+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Signs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzdmaZbaO5e8E5xq7diM34qhPNMrx5mpLfgp4xhx9Y8P3KIjRiw936WtPNmaPqFdlvlAtPz_TVRdafbeQlJJa_m4xAVYIGDmVlJqofCQPxqgVnnFbLgwX1gLaxf5mQRE5kh95GjyH7t4/s640/144+-+Treehouse+Point+-+Signs.jpg" width="588" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign Post at Treehouse Point</td></tr>
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I really enjoyed the tour and was impressed with the craftsmanship and attention to detail that I saw in each tree house including the railings and stairs, woodcarvings on doors, use of recycled materials and antique furniture. I didn't share photos of everything to leave some surprises for anyone else who might want to take the tour. Reservations are available through <a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ref/918486/event/894188" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brown Paper Tickets</a>.<br />
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Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0Preston, WA 98027, USA47.5237128 -121.9270604000000222.0016783 -163.23565440000002 73.0457473 -80.618466400000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-28605551588669029792015-02-05T18:35:00.001-08:002016-01-27T13:50:37.177-08:00Under Attack in the RV Park!One morning in the fall we were awakened by the loud noise of an object hitting the roof of our RV. Before we could get dressed to see what had happened, we heard several more thuds like rocks landing right above our heads. It sounded like we were being attacked! When I got outside, I could see that our RV was surrounded with dozens of Douglas Fir cones on the ground and the RV roof was covered with cones, too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LRZVv53rZJTtxMA3JBXiSEgA_-gZnobajlOj3mq5P6e2Je8RgghV0lLHvVsazLf2o_W6MTr93ad844nbLlTvhaT7naAhCxOZVagDGrIGqMAt1Gg_l6vPA9rmRRWBuEN2wIbhFlihm6c/s1600/007+-+Douglasfir+cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LRZVv53rZJTtxMA3JBXiSEgA_-gZnobajlOj3mq5P6e2Je8RgghV0lLHvVsazLf2o_W6MTr93ad844nbLlTvhaT7naAhCxOZVagDGrIGqMAt1Gg_l6vPA9rmRRWBuEN2wIbhFlihm6c/s640/007+-+Douglasfir+cone.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas Fir cone</td></tr>
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Douglas Fir cones can be identified by the bracts that resemble the tail and hind legs of a small animal. Many of the cones were quite large and heavy with moisture. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OB7qpjV4fs9ilVgKVaDM3M_ee_M1ZrL2r_sdQz3mkaa99pLKaqmIC_wJu-nqD_XsnzDhPIiX0_UHsN2Q_3GKH5Rkm5Objw6bsicou38SwZ10X8Dy06iZFnOCiKo_CSuD1OgMbkj5xBA/s1600/015+-+Douglasfir+cone+in+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OB7qpjV4fs9ilVgKVaDM3M_ee_M1ZrL2r_sdQz3mkaa99pLKaqmIC_wJu-nqD_XsnzDhPIiX0_UHsN2Q_3GKH5Rkm5Objw6bsicou38SwZ10X8Dy06iZFnOCiKo_CSuD1OgMbkj5xBA/s640/015+-+Douglasfir+cone+in+hand.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas Fir Cone in Hand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Further inspection around the RV revealed another interesting discovery. Something had apparently been sitting on one of our slide-out track supports chewing apart the cones.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZmMTKvdw7-4hAL-hl-lBEbQM34pkxodUhTtVTbkc-Sf7O7Qju3swFWzYpP6-MSPSbdelfI_UiQ18uJ6dFPZEdf-hnpeTh3GYqgtNCXd4fU6BitOa6d2iZe0zmM3w4KVbMmtjEXf5Wj8/s1600/016+-+Cone+seeds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZmMTKvdw7-4hAL-hl-lBEbQM34pkxodUhTtVTbkc-Sf7O7Qju3swFWzYpP6-MSPSbdelfI_UiQ18uJ6dFPZEdf-hnpeTh3GYqgtNCXd4fU6BitOa6d2iZe0zmM3w4KVbMmtjEXf5Wj8/s640/016+-+Cone+seeds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas Fir Seeds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, the mystery of what was was hitting our roof was solved, but now the question was, who?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9JjJtWQ_8VwXkcDOVdMO1hNnrx0J4JcFsl6eNAMZF_5rltWyj5EnpPFKLHtQgH8y_I1-qdDn8AHWApfugynEdSiDFwcfk-QmtiXwmxH6POIHns-2oM9bqhItrXmzcatxLOFM43N3Wqc/s1600/017+-+Douglasfir+trees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9JjJtWQ_8VwXkcDOVdMO1hNnrx0J4JcFsl6eNAMZF_5rltWyj5EnpPFKLHtQgH8y_I1-qdDn8AHWApfugynEdSiDFwcfk-QmtiXwmxH6POIHns-2oM9bqhItrXmzcatxLOFM43N3Wqc/s640/017+-+Douglasfir+trees.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas Fir (<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Pseudotsuga menziesii)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I looked up into the tall Douglas Fir trees around our RV site looking for clues. I heard a chirping noise and spotted our suspect sitting on a branch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU861xfRWv4qnyl9pmAM5pwLZ3vr8hMayMwFRQzm-wU0vPZErZvqZQmv2GP-I6aorS21h7FAOOsOPMfy0-NP_r1yh8HdrH_MbqKGkcJR7PgchxnoYHyRlX6OGlE0QSibmMQMVjv2gsp8w/s1600/022+-+Douglas+Squirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU861xfRWv4qnyl9pmAM5pwLZ3vr8hMayMwFRQzm-wU0vPZErZvqZQmv2GP-I6aorS21h7FAOOsOPMfy0-NP_r1yh8HdrH_MbqKGkcJR7PgchxnoYHyRlX6OGlE0QSibmMQMVjv2gsp8w/s640/022+-+Douglas+Squirrel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Douglas Squirrel or Chickaree (Tamiasciurus douglasii)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He or she chirped at me for a few seconds and ran up the tree. I watched as it went out on a branch and soon more cones were falling out of the tree.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QDO1JuCoAZs" width="420"></iframe><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: left;">I think the culprit was identified and there didn't seem to be any damage to the roof. I must admit, Douglas squirrels are very entertaining to watch and hear chattering up in the tree tops as they harvest the cones.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit" onclick="window.location = '//www.reddit.com/submit?url=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location); return false"> <img alt="submit to reddit" border="0" src="//www.redditstatic.com/spreddit12.gif" /> </a>Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8721434132491505216.post-28992547610400349902015-01-28T04:58:00.002-08:002016-01-27T13:48:53.782-08:00How much does it cost to live in an RV?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXllCBXGr2czuWTHRUuXIxbwbKO06RAbLRKc1UeSC-3wG_D0EZt-vb103TJWo-I0AL8U962qGKAtZOFlveqN-DBe4umWgfSxLanQcw89oTUdjynEiN5zzzoN_dUaMW_gE9wOnJoPtbE/s1600/Rv+Door+and+window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsXllCBXGr2czuWTHRUuXIxbwbKO06RAbLRKc1UeSC-3wG_D0EZt-vb103TJWo-I0AL8U962qGKAtZOFlveqN-DBe4umWgfSxLanQcw89oTUdjynEiN5zzzoN_dUaMW_gE9wOnJoPtbE/s640/Rv+Door+and+window.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th Wheel RV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of the main reasons we decided to live in our RV was to save money. It sounded like such an affordable option - only $670 month for the RV space (garbage, water and sewer included). In addition to the space rent our only other regular monthly costs were electricity, propane and cable for TV and internet. We had our own electric meter which was read once per month and the usage rate of the local electric company was 9 cents per kilowatt hour. So here's a breakdown of our average monthly cost to live in the RV Park:<br />
<ul>
<li>RV Space $670</li>
<li>Electricity $40</li>
<li>Propane $25</li>
<li>Cable TV and Internet $115<br />
Total: $850</li>
</ul>
But then we had some additional expenses we hadn't thought of....<br />
We discovered that we needed a longer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OUMVWY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002OUMVWY&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=KOIZMDANWJBRQMIV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">RV sewer hose</a> and connector for our sewer hook-up and to keep a downhill flow, a set of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006IX7Y2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006IX7Y2&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=BO6HD6TRQ5S2XFB6%22%3ECamco%2043041%2015%27%20Sidewinder%20Plastic%20Sewer%20Hose%20Support%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=picnicpointpe-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0006IX7Y2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sewer hose supports</a> that makes the whole thing resemble a giant caterpillar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxAPyPa7by8ESxaVbjIKzSej5_4tcjH6WPReRcIo6O0HlqPQV0CYRmZa-4CYckJ0tMy7MOKGekpBmN0VDIxl4myRDeoXvETiZ2kUz-QojS0GqwBB4M80okip36A4dAF13ao6nEeUyAm0/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxAPyPa7by8ESxaVbjIKzSej5_4tcjH6WPReRcIo6O0HlqPQV0CYRmZa-4CYckJ0tMy7MOKGekpBmN0VDIxl4myRDeoXvETiZ2kUz-QojS0GqwBB4M80okip36A4dAF13ao6nEeUyAm0/s640/016.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RV Sewer Hose and Sewer Hose Supports</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a couple of weeks we noticed that we had a humidity problem. The Pacific Northwest doesn't have an arid climate anyway, cooking and heating with propane releases moisture into the air and we had two humans and two dogs living and exhaling moist breath in a small space. We noticed condensation forming on the walls and mold was starting to grow in places where there wasn't much air circulation. So we tried to solve the problem inexpensively by purchasing several small <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YKH090/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YKH090&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=KHRBV2Y6Y3KELU4N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vornado fans</a> that we hung in each area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo5fcykl90RKPMyb5ih1X84_H7AeQaoXjqtFShSSjY8M_g1wYU2E0ULvce_UEaY5gZZPv-Bis-M-FhzhkMAkJy9WvFxr6RhFJyc2vKCHyoKLs8-QHBBjEaX_fODOyqWW0mtCl5Cgx-7A/s1600/Fan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjo5fcykl90RKPMyb5ih1X84_H7AeQaoXjqtFShSSjY8M_g1wYU2E0ULvce_UEaY5gZZPv-Bis-M-FhzhkMAkJy9WvFxr6RhFJyc2vKCHyoKLs8-QHBBjEaX_fODOyqWW0mtCl5Cgx-7A/s640/Fan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YKH090/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YKH090&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=KHRBV2Y6Y3KELU4N" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vornado Personal Fan</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alas, the fans helped, but didn't solve the problem to our satisfaction. We stopped using our propane furnace which releases a lot of humidity into the air and switched to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GLHVZA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GLHVZA&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=ZPHYVPFMIQAPWVEY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">portable electric space heaters</a>. Yes, we ended up with a lot of Vornado products. We like them because the fans are quiet, but do a good job of circulating the air.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyJoqipW4eDkCOqWv4NabGdhW7YBVlyb3VfwIgYuO2g-buXu7_zRKusPXGhzzOuDna_lQt7IDZ7U9Df1hEB8Vut5OwrzAj6v4VGv62VesKB4lRylD0ZcezMaefbTnZOUX9PwBgt7mx3o/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyJoqipW4eDkCOqWv4NabGdhW7YBVlyb3VfwIgYuO2g-buXu7_zRKusPXGhzzOuDna_lQt7IDZ7U9Df1hEB8Vut5OwrzAj6v4VGv62VesKB4lRylD0ZcezMaefbTnZOUX9PwBgt7mx3o/s640/027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MB4BQ0G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00MB4BQ0G&linkCode=as2&tag=pnwtravelsandtails-20&linkId=2EK264JL6FPCBO5R" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vornado Electric Space Heater</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We talked to one of our neighbors at the RV park and they recommended getting a dehumidifier. We're not talking one of those inexpensive little convection units that sell for about $60 and are used in the winter when an RV isn't in use.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy6gwnWwU_YEl8WG6vmA-7-5elfAgg2JAavDsTfuFtyW9VyBsdSnRstf5ntO8xm0W8Q2MaK-ZHv-f39D82HuLWTpcMWSF78KGVtSG8iOl1KSKZm3KzM8Y2xlpDsif3mEUKWt7OE21D1U/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy6gwnWwU_YEl8WG6vmA-7-5elfAgg2JAavDsTfuFtyW9VyBsdSnRstf5ntO8xm0W8Q2MaK-ZHv-f39D82HuLWTpcMWSF78KGVtSG8iOl1KSKZm3KzM8Y2xlpDsif3mEUKWt7OE21D1U/s640/008.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dehumidifier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is a big unit that can be set to maintain a set humidity percentage and can literally suck almost 9 gallons (70 pints) a day of moisture out of the air. Just what we needed - another large item to take a hit on our wallet and more of our minimal space. However, it did do the trick - it is amazing how much it has reduced the humidity.<br />
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=picnicpointpe-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00AU7GZXE&asins=B00AU7GZXE&linkId=OHEERJ45UF6PNKLD&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"> </iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
And finally, since in the past for the most part, we had only used our trailer for boondocking where there wasn't any TV hook-up, we had never used the ten-year old TV that came with the trailer except for an occasional DVD movie. Now that we would be living in the RV full time, we wanted cable TV and that old TV wasn't digital. Time to buy a new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GKKI650/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00GKKI650&linkCode=as2&tag=picnicpointpe-20&linkId=RZSNPYJQWLJCXJ6I" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">32" Visio flat screen TV</a> - ca-ching!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCNKs2Ho3DgMMfHyCGXSTj_lR-SW8RJEAKZVj7AmokrCogSUvXSATXpc4km-ZFdWX-Z8mRPJ_OkL7n9SXVowVTx-VtMlmSCSoEXgAdmsV6DqP8sCzwWny3Tga8Khe55tlRButFQOgJo/s1600/RV+TV.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCNKs2Ho3DgMMfHyCGXSTj_lR-SW8RJEAKZVj7AmokrCogSUvXSATXpc4km-ZFdWX-Z8mRPJ_OkL7n9SXVowVTx-VtMlmSCSoEXgAdmsV6DqP8sCzwWny3Tga8Khe55tlRButFQOgJo/s640/RV+TV.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32" Flat Screen TV</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So our transition to RV life wasn't quite as simple or inexpensive as we had imagined, but after buying a few extra items, we thought we were all set to be comfortable for the next few months. Stay tuned....<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=FcwILwEen0A&offerid=414807.10000302&type=4&subid=0"><img alt="Camping World" border="0" src="http://www.campingworld.com/images/AffiliateAds/125x125/promo5.gif" /></a><img border="0" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=FcwILwEen0A&bids=414807.10000302&type=4&subid=0" height="1" width="1" /><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/submit" onclick="window.location = '//www.reddit.com/submit?url=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location); return false"> <img alt="submit to reddit" border="0" src="//www.redditstatic.com/spreddit12.gif" /> </a>Vicki Greenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05833953087167555079noreply@blogger.com4