ALASKA!
In spite of our sadness at learning of Dad's passing, we boarded the ship, surrounded by friends and fans of both Ed Metz, Sr. and Ed Metz, Jr , who shared our pain. We had our moments of tears and pangs of guilt, wishing we were with the rest of the family, but knowing Dad would have wanted Eddie to honor his contract, we made the best of this wonderful trip. Here are a few highlights from the Jazzdagen/Arbors 2009 Alaskan cruise aboard the beautiful Regent Seven Seas Mariner. We started in Anchorage, then went on to Seward, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and ended in Vancouver, Canada. A bittersweet trip we shall never forget.
In keeping with tradition, here is our "Here we are" photo taken from the top deck of the ship. It was cold but a pleasant reprieve from the Florida heat. We were blessed with sunny weather for the most part. The scenery is beyond breathtaking. We felt so small.
Good friend's Susan and Bill Allred and the Hubbard Glacier.
Looks like painted scenery, doesn't it?
The amazing view from our cabin balcony.
Well this doesn't suck... having your coffee here every morning.
Of course, there was work to do...
okay, Eddie Metz, do you really call this work?
Sharing a coke with best buddy Tom Hook... Hey didn't you old guys used to drink something else?
Okay, it was a little on the freezing cold side out there on the water, but so worth it to see these amazing animals jump out of the water right before our eyes! For a while we kept alongside a mom and her baby. Her tail might not appear to be that large in this photo, but comparability speaking, these humpback whales are the size of a greyhound bus! So glad Eddie caught this shot of her tail right after she crested.
Speaking of wildlife....This happy group whom we refer to as the "Wolf Pack", bought out the ship's inventory on these exotic jackets. Mat and Rachel Domber, Pug and Bob Wilber - aren't they stylin'?
By the end of the cruise, they even got Eddie in one. Personally, I think they are ladies jackets, but my manly man looks very G.Qish... don't you think?
In Ketchikan we took a beautiful ride on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. The scenery was breathtaking... again, we are reminded just how small we are.
We tell ourselves DAILY, how fortunate we are. To share such a great life together. To go through the good times and tough times hand in hand...all the while enjoying careers we love. How did that happen? Life is good and we are blessed.
"What A Wonderful World"... oh yeah.
P.S. While we did get a glimpse of the governor's mansion in Juneau, even with binoculars, somehow we just weren't able to see Russia. (?)
Mold update tomorrow :~)
Nice photos! I think that can be a man's jacket... c'mon, it's a rough and tough wolf already. It must have been too foggy to see Russia, but I bet you could hear Putin flyin' overhead!
Posted by: Loreen Leedy | 09/23/2009 at 05:33 AM