Happy Birthday Kim!

 September 27 - Day 2 of the Cruise:  Kim’s Birthday

We left Port Angeles at 6:00 am and for us on the third deck we could hardly hear the boat take off; but for our pals on the 2^nd deck it was very obvious the motors were revving up and we were leaving the dock.  We sailed until about 9:30 am – and while at sea we had a beautiful sunrise.  It was crisp out on the top deck when we reached Port Townsend and we left the ship a little after ten in the morning for our lone excursion of the day, about a 90 minute walking tour of the historic downtown area.

Our tour guide, Amy took us all around the historic part of Townsend and told us very interesting stories about the town and the people that built the town in the late 1800s.  One of the most interesting tales was about a gentleman who was a two-time mayor of Townsend.  His son was visiting and he walked him to the pier to say good-bye as he left.  The housekeeper heard him return and go into his study.  About an hour later she heard the dog bark in the study, went upstairs and he wasn’t in there.  On his desk were his wallet, watch, hat & coat (it was winter).  But he wasn’t there, and was never seen again.  To this day no one knows what happened to him!

Following the tour the six of us walked up the many stairs and the incline to reach the “Victorian section” of town which had a lot of really cool old homes.  AND we found deer just sitting in the back yard of one home.  We concluded our walk at the post office which is huge and eye-catching.  It was built this way purposefully and posed on the cliff as you sail into the harbor so that arriving people would know that this was a city that was special.  Kim and I had our photo op there.

Today was Kim’s birthday, and her twin sister Karrie.  Was a good way to celebrate her special day.  Also below is a photo of our ship docked on the wharf, and what it looks like when we are in the dining room – not a bad view, eh?

 

Port Angeles

 September 26 - Day 1 of the Cruise

Our home for the next week - The American Spirit

We arrived in Port Angeles late last night and when we were up this morning I got coffee and went to the upper deck.  The morning on the port was something to see, especially when the sun came up on the horizon.  I enjoyed the coffee and the crisp low 50 degree temps.

We headed to breakfast around 7:30 and by 8:45 we were off to the waiting motor coach to take us to Olympic National Park and Hurricane Ridge.  The scenery on the way up was something to see, but as we got close to the top of the ridge the clouds rolled in for most of the stay.  And with the wind blowing, the wind chill factor up there was in the low 30's.  Brisk my friends, but us Florida kids enjoyed it.

Back on board by noon we had lunch and then were off the the Olympic National Park Lodge and Lake Crescent.  As we headed out to the bus it was drizzling and when we arrived at the lodge it was a steady rain.  A couple of interesting notes from our afternoon excursion.....as we approached the lodge there was a couple being married on the wharf - in the rain - without any umbrellas.  And we later saw them walking around, enjoying their day....soaking wet.  Inside the lodge we saw the "famous JFK phone booth."  Apparently in 1962 when Marylin Monroe died, Robert Kennedy and his wife were staying at the lodge and President John Kennedy called his brother who stayed on THIS phone for over two hours with his brother the President.  And finally, as part of our excursion package we were entitled to a drink at the bar.  We were told by our guide that they were known for their "Lavender Lemonade" drink and so I had one.

Didn't mind the rain at all, except it made for a less than ideal view of the lake

Lake Crescent (top) as it normally looks and (bottom) as we saw it

"THE" phone booth

Tomorrow we leave the port early in the morning and our first (and only excursion) isn't until 10:30 am - we'll enjoy the leisurely start to the day.

Seattle Tour & The Cruise Begins

 September 25

Today was the day that we were finally back on a ship and cruising!  After traveling all day the previous day, and with the three hour time change both Kim and I were exhausted by 8:30 pm PST.  And surprisingly we were able to sleep until 5 am (which would be like 8 am at home).  Bags had to be packed and by the door by 6:45 am and then we had to be tested by the cruise lines for the COVID virus – again, yes after we just got the “negative” report 48 hours ago.  So Kim and I were downstairs right as the process got started……showed our vaccination card, showed proof (again) of our previous negative test, and then had to go through the nasal swabbing again.  After meeting our travel friends we went to breakfast; returned to the room and back down again to await boarding the bus.  We had about a three hour tour of Seattle where we stopped for several photo ops, including the Seattle Space Needle.  We arrived at the American Spirit around noon and boarded the ship and went straight to our stateroom, #309 where our luggage was waiting for us.

Seattle City Tour Highlights

The Seattle Space Needle

One of the Amazon Spheres (employee lounge area)

Posed Pictures Overlooking The City

We had agreed to meet right away for lunch and as we were finishing lunch we pulled out from the pier and began our journey.  The scenery was great under the crystal clear blue skies.  After about 45 minutes of taking in our departure and enjoying each other’s company we all separated to return to our staterooms and unpack.  Everyone had their own plans for the afternoon before we met for Happy Hour and then on to dinner.  It was a wonderful first day.  Around 8:30 pm we arrived in our first port, Port Angeles where we’ll have two excursions tomorrow.

We've Arrived At The American Spirit

See You Later Seattle

Whooo hoooo - we're off sailing again!

Somebody's gotta do it :)

Mt. Ranier through the haze

C'ya tomorrow!

Travel Day - Here We Go!

Friday September 24

Finally, we're traveling again!  It was twenty-two months ago as we sat around the dinner table on the Douro River in Portugal that I posed the question to the other couples, "We'd love to travel with you again, would you be interested in planning a future trip together?"  And when they said yes, I said, "NO....you don't understand....if you're serious, I will NOT let this go until we are all traveling together again."  And they were serious.  Now, in spite of a global pandemic and limited travel options with restrictions and protocols....here we are.  Together again (sans Dennis & Mary) in Seattle, ready to board the American Cruise Lines American Spirit to sail the Pacific Northwest through the Puget Sound tomorrow. 

The Last Night On The Douro River

We had numerous issues which could have been road blocks but we overcame them.  The most recent was that all six of us were required to be tested for the COVID-19 virus and get a negative report no earlier than 72 hours prior to the trip.  Our test was scheduled on the 21st, with our flight early in the morning on the 24th.  CVS said the results would be available within 48 hours, but probably within 24-to-36 hours.  When took the test, literally WE took the test, at a drive through with no guidance and put the test tubes with the swabs in a baggie and hoped for the best.  Not only did we have to be anxious about testing negative and the test results being accurate, but we also had to wonder if we self-administered it right.  Twenty-fours went by and .... nothing.  At 10:30 pm I got my results, Kim's came a little after midnight and Pam & Bob got theirs the next morning.  Mary Pat & Tom were fortunate to get theirs by the 22nd.  And so we were up by 5:15 am and arrived at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport around 6:30 am.  Cleared security and were in the air a little after 8 am.  No issues to Denver, the flight left there on time and landed a little early in Seattle - at 2:21 pm PST.  But the gate was not available.  NEARLY AN HOUR before we got off the plane.  So late that our booked ride began texting me, "Where are you?"  Finally got off and picked up the luggage.  About half an hour to the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Seattle where we met everyone in the lobby.  Got our room  (#1162 - yes SIXTY-TWO) and then by 5 pm we were off to the waterfront - by foot - for dinner (Mary Pat had made reservations.

We were seated within minutes and soon had our wine, or other "adult drinks" and were exchanging stories about what had been going on in our life over the last many months.  It was so SO good to be with everyone again - seemed like just last week we were all together.  As we finished a delicious dinner the sun was setting over the harbor and we took a group photo.  Then we walked along the pier for a while before heading back to the hotel.  By 8 pm we were all exhausted from the day's travel - now note before you say, "EIGHT O'CLOCK, WHAT?" - that's Pacific Time, so to us it was 11 pm AND we'd all been up by 5 am or earlier.  A great start to a great adventure!