Good morning from small ship cruising on the inside passage in Alaska. It is not even 6 am yet and I am wide awake and ready to roll. It is hard to sleep when the sun rises shortly after 4 am.

The beginning of this journey to the north has been interesting and fun and awe inspiring. I have met wonderful new people, Jeff who housed my friend Leslie and I in Sitka, was the perfect tour guide. We hiked, we talked, we ate, we did yoga (Leslie teaches) and I personally repeated “Wow, Isn’t this beautiful?” several times while we wandered the darling town of Sitka. This phrase has continued to repeat itself since boarding our small ship.

The scenery is amazing. Mountains everywhere. Trees everywhere (it is a rainforest). The people I am traveling with are very eclectic, from all over the world and enjoyable. I have been fascinated by the lives of my fellow passengers. Some of the passengers are from AK. When you live in such a large state, you have to play tourist to see where you live.

While I am wandering the north country, life continues to go on in the lower 48.

• My great nephew had his first post chemo scan and, thankfully, it is clean. We are all so relieved.
• Elsie is adapting to life at Linda’s and Steve’s in Boise. It appears all the animals there have called a truce and are pleasently ignoring each other.
• My RT, EmmyLou, has been in the shop and when I have reception I have been emailing Nelson’s RV and Linda (same friend as in the bullet above) has been managing the interaction between me and the shop. What a good friend. My propane leak is fixed (yay) and EmmyLou is getting ready to roll. It is hard to manage this at a distance.
• Hopefully all my friends are doing well. Reception is spotty at best where I am so I am out of reach often. Today I am in and I am up early and I am writing.

This is Alaska, so far. Mountains, Eagles, Bears, Whales, Mountains, Dolphins, All kinds of ducks and more. It is relaxing and adventurous all at the same time. Yesterday we visited a Tlingit Village, learned about the life of the local tribe and watched and participated in dancing. It was delightful and informative.

Leslie and I are traveling well together, although this is only day five (Hee Hee). We are good roomies. We are not glued at the hip so we wander off on our own explorations as well as create time to explore together. This is an ideal travel relationship. When we are together, of course, we talk, it has been several years since we have seen each other.

I am off for another day of exploration. I am forever grateful that so many “have my back”. I carry all my friends, known and unknown with me wherever I venture and I am so thankful for the silent and strong support I feel as I adventure into the Wild North.

Sorry no pics because WiFi wont let me download them. They will come later.