August 11th 2008
We started the day off with a brisk walk around town before our tour was ready to leave. 
Our tour began with a bus ride to where part of the shoreline met up with an Alaskan rain forest. Then we headed on foot through the rain forest. 
Where we saw beautiful greenery, cool looking trees, and some wildlife of the bug and bird persuasion. 
After our very short hike we reached the center of Totem Bright Park. Where we saw incredible totems all around. Our guide told us stories and the history of a few of the totems.
This is one awesome lady we were able to meet. She carves totems for a living. It takes her over 6 months working with apprentices to complete one totem pole.
Where we saw beautiful greenery, cool looking trees, and some wildlife of the bug and bird persuasion. After our very short hike we reached the center of Totem Bright Park. Where we saw incredible totems all around. Our guide told us stories and the history of a few of the totems. This is one awesome lady we were able to meet. She carves totems for a living. It takes her over 6 months working with apprentices to complete one totem pole. 
P & C each took a turn being the low man on the totem pole.
The next stop was a sanctuary for rescued eagles who would never be able to be returned to the wild because of injuries they sustained. We could have sat there and looked at these magnificent birds all day. 
This guy started calling out which was a very cool experience.
This is the salmon hatchery we visited. We learned how the hatchery works and about the 5 types of salmon. (can anyone name them all? no cheating)
Last stop of the day before heading back to town was a building where they house old totem poles which were rotting away due to Alaska's harsh elements. These are over 100 years old they're now housed inside to preserve as long as possible. 
We had some time after the guided tour was over, so we walked back over to town to look around. While walking around we noticed this church so we decided to stop in and look at the beautiful stained glass windows.
On our way back to the ship we looked through some stores and stopped by the post office to mail a few things . 
It was then all aboard time. We spent the evening playing trivia, watching the stage performance and enjoying a nice meal.
It was then all aboard time. We spent the evening playing trivia, watching the stage performance and enjoying a nice meal. 
After the drill we got to check out our room and settle in a bit. 
We spent the afternoon and evening wandering the ship, enjoying the live entertainment, playing trivia games and that evenings show .
View from across the river.
From the parking lot.
At the base.
Seattle from 520ft.
The sunset was amazing.
Enjoying the view
For the first part of vacation we headed up to Seattle to visit friends and see the sights. We toured Seattle's underground city! Never before had we heard the stories of the terrible sewage system or the fire that took out the city. It was interesting to see how they used a tour of city which the fire destroyed in order to make money to rebuild.
High on our list of places to see was OF COURSE the first Starbucks. Everyone grabbed a coffee and some photos then we moved on to Pike's Place and walked around all the booths of fresh fruit, crafts and goods for sale. 
Cyndi outside the museums
Experience Music Project was incredible. They have so many artifacts and cool things to try out.
Next door is the Science Fiction museum so we wandered through there as well
This is the Fremont Troll he is made of concrete and lives under a bridge that is part of a freeway he even has a real 
This is the 
All around Fremont they had different sculpture and cement figures. Citizens come and dress them up and decorate them for fun. Here are the boys Kenny, Caleb and Hutch waiting for the bus.
This is a refinery type place that caught on fire or exploded or something, the resourceful people of Seattle turned it into a park for children to play in.
Paul and Cyndi goofing off.
See you in November friend. 