Today we were excited to be taking a photo tour with professionals. The tour left a little late because all the helicopter tours were being canceled due to the low dense fog. We gained a few extra people with our very small tour of about 12 people.
Our first stop was to visit the incredible Mendenhall Glacier. Lucky for us once we got there the fog started to lift a bit and gave us a higher overhead so we were able to get some decent shots of the glacier. It was breathtaking. We couldn't stop staring, Cyndi said she could have been happy just staying here and taking photos all day. 
There were many interesting chunks of ice in the lake 
We took the Moraine Ecology Trail near the Mendenhall Glacier where we saw gorgeous greenery, rivers and waterfalls. There were beaver dams and a couple dozen salmon in the streams. 
Way to quickly we were told it was time to leave so we grabbed a self-portrait and headed back to the van. During this portion of the tour we were glad to have eluded the rain. 
Now is where the tour headed down hill a bit. Words cannot describe to you the torrential downpour we endured for 3 hours while walking through the rain forest, trying to keep our cameras dry, keep up with the tour guide and get some decent shots. Proudly we say: cameras made it home without damage! 
This was an old building which we took shelter in for a few minutes knowing we could double time it to catch up to the rest of our group. Had we not taken this opportunity it cannot be said for certain we would have survived the rest of our time in the increasingly strong rain. 
Might not be able to tell but we are already soaked to the bone. 
Cool old building that was part of the mining town.
When we FINALLY came out the other side of the rain forest this is the sight we were met with. It was a sandy beach area with logs and tree stumps everywhere. The ocean was indescribable beauty. At this point we were begging for the rain to stop, it let up only a little.
A salmon berry, Cyndi was fascinated by them.
When we made it back to the tour bus there was one final stop at an overlook for a photo opportunity of our ship at the dock. Everyone loaded up on the bus for the last time and we headed back to the port. 
The moment we made it back on board we rushed the stairs taking them two by two so as to warm up our bodies and dove head first into a HOT shower. We loved seeing all the fantastic sites in Juneau however the biting cold along with the soaking rain did us in.
After dinner we took a walk on the deck of the boat enjoying the brisk Alaskan air. 
Our evening ended with magic 
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.
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. 
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.