A Little Sunshine For Me and My Guy

So the weather in January in my neck of the woods is mostly cold, snowy, windy, and without much sunshine.  A perfect time to get away for warmer weather and blue skies.  And so, as timing would have it with schedules, I set out for a little sunshine for me and my guy :).

Even though this getaway was only for an extended weekend, I felt blessed to find myself in Miami, the Florida Keys, and the Bahamas.

So for now it is only pictures to remember the sunshine and hoping the health issues find you okay.

Rainbow greeting at the Port of Miami

Miami Beach leaving port

Miami Beach shore view

A stop at a Key West local favorite - information link: sloppyjoes

View of USCGC Ingham Coast Guard ship at Key West

USCGC Ingham - information link: uscgcingham.org/history

A view of Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas - link for more information: great-stirrup-cay 

I found a hidden gem of a beach along the Gulf Shores

Needing a little sunshine, and spring break time, I was ready for beach time.  And so began a long road trip to sunny Florida.  But it was so worth the trip as you can see by the photos shared below.  Navarre Beach, what a beautiful place to visit for white sand beach time.  So glad I found this hidden gem among the Gulf Shores.  If you want to check it out, here is a link: Navarre Beach.

A view of the bridge to Navarre Beach from a park.

Gulf shores waters = happy place

Artist working on a sand project

Sunset at Navarre Beach

Yes, I was on the NCL Epic that week in February

On board the NCL Epic with engine failure

As a frequent cruiser with NCL, I enjoy the opportunity to sail on different ships.  And the Epic was on my list to experience the once largest of the NCL fleet.  With a guest capacity of 4100 built in 2010, I wonder why I waited so long. But I ended up with a longer than anticipated cruise, as it turned out.  However, not all was lost - sunshine and open sea saved the day(s).

What started out as a great experience with two bright and sunny days at sea came  to an abrupt change on day two. While cruising on day two, the ship came to a complete stop for around 5 hours.  Everyone on board were in good spirits with the whole experience.  The captain announced our emergency stop at San Juan for engine repairs overnight, and that our ports of call were cancelled.  Even though disheartened, we made the best of the situation.  It was a long journey at half-speed or less from our point at sea to the port of San Juan.  Docking at the port provided another obstacle as the Epic crashed into the port.  Reported on national media sites, here is a link to view the damage 
article/video-norwegian-epic-strikes-pier-at-port-of-san-juan.

As it turned out, Puerto Rico was a great alternative port of call.  Even though still recovering from hurricane damage, a visit to the forts were within walking distance of the port.

 A great link for information on the forts of Puerto Rico: https://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm 

NCL Epic Mini Suite 9252

NCL Epic Mini Suite 9252

The fort coming in to San Juan Bay

A view of San Juan Bay

A rainbow as we enter the port.  

A view of the port

A cliff side view with fort in distance 

A beautiful shore

A view from the fort

A window view from the fort

Viewing cruise ships in port 

Cantina time

Sailing back - a night view of San Juan

There is a little magic at Cocoa Beach

If you have a need for a sunrise that warms your soul, you may find that at Cocoa Beach as I did.  Okay, so Florida does provide the sunshine to warm your soul, but the "magic" comes from your presence at a place and time. And you feel the "magic"  once you are there.  Just revisiting through these photo memories can warm the soul.  Is there anything as relaxing as a sunrise or sunset image?  You can almost feel the warmth through the photos. 

Cocoa Beach, a magical place for me, and one I hope to see again soon.  

Sunrise at Cocoa Beach

A great view of a cruise ship passing

A little palm tree, a little pool, a little ocean view

A "little" Bahama time at the first of the year

Well, this is a little bit late to post but the weather outside makes it feel relevant as it seems still like winter outside.  Somehow spring is not showing up for duty yet and making all of us in the East North Central of the U.S. anxiously awaiting its arrival.  

Although this short trip to the Bahamas began with the arrival of one of the Nor'easter storms along the Atlantic coast, we did make it.  As I listened to the travel stories from fellow cruise passengers trying to get to the port, I must say I was fortunate with only a few hours delay in flight travel.  It was not fun, however, to travel to South Carolina and board a plane outside in the snow and sleet (see photos below).

As you might have suspected, this storm affected the weather at the port of Jacksonville, Florida.  Boarding the cruise ship with 40 degree weather (and I am being optimistic with the temp) was not what I expected.  

Once you are onboard a ship, however, you forget about the travel worries and begin to enjoy the opportunity to sail away to a warmer location.  Well, hopefully warmer.  This Nor'easter did make its' presence known in the Bahamas, where the temperature was cooler than normal.  It felt nice to me, though, given the subzero temps at home.  

One great way to relax, in my opinion, is the view as you are sailing away from port.  Having a view of the sun setting is, of course, a plus! 

 A day at Nassau began with a shuttle by boat to arrive at Atlantis Paradise Resort.  It is just a short walk from the pier to enter the "pink" resort.  Looking for a short excursion and some beach time, we chose to see the Marine exhibit.  According to the Atlantis website, atlantisbahamas.com, the exhibit has "eight million gallons of ocean water and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species."  It is an impressive and awesome display. We truly enjoyed the opportunity to view the aquatic marine exhibit, and I managed to include my hubby in a photo.

This link https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/ will give you more information for a stay at Atlantis.  

The view as our ship left Nassau was spectacular and relaxing.

This short cruise was to celebrate my birthday milestone and so it required a special treat.  Arranging to take part in the chef's table was a great way to celebrate.  Hors de'hourves and champagne to start out along with a tour of the galley was fun!  As we began the full-service dinner, we were in for a treat.  The meal of amazing appetizers, entrees and desserts not found on the regular dining menus was a unique and delightful experience.  The following photos give a glimpse of the event.  I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys specially prepared dining.

And then, too soon was this short cruise over but I will always have this photo to add to my "happy place" collection.  So glad to sail to the Bahamas, if only for a day.  

Alaska in Summer - Memories from a visit to the last frontier - with a stop in Vancouver

A summer adventure to Alaska is worthy of a bucklist or must do check off.  Now, I must say that I am not usually spending summer weather in a cooler environment.  After this summer's Alaskan journey, I am thankful for the opportunity to view what is considered the last frontier.  (My husband has a shirt that states this, so it must be true) 😊.

Anchorage
Landing in Anchorage to a beautiful view and sunny 80 degrees was a great start and not what I imagined at all, especially the landscapes with large blooming plants.  Almost 12 hours of daylight in Anchorage gives the landscape extra hours of sunshine, as well as me and the other tourists taking in the sites.

Anchorage Visitor Center

Strolling down town and on a trolly tour gives you a full day of sights, including a drive along Northern Lights Blvd., and a look at Earthquake park.

Anchorage to where?

Downtown Anchorage

Once in a Blue Moon - Downtown Anchorage

Alaskan Railroad Monument

Trolly Tour on Northern Lights Blvd 

Earthquake Park - 1964 quake sunk the ground several feet.
  Link to more information: Anchorage Earthquake Park

Scenic Train from Anchorage to Port of Seward, Alaska

Want a wonderful way to travel from Anchorage to the Port of Seward?  The Alaskan Railroad scenic train is a must.  It is also the easiest way for embarkation as NCL handles this prior to boarding the train.  The glass dome cars give you  a full view of the scenery.  I offer a few photo memories to give you a small glimpse of this excursion.  Link to more information: Scenic Train from Anchorage to Seward.

View from between rail cars

The railroad tracks are parallel to a paved pathway called the Coastal Trail.

Glacier vew

A view of the glass dome car

Waterfalls cascading down the mountain

traveling through the Chugach National Forest

Stop along the train route

 Placer River Canyon

Forget-me-nots - State Flower

Glacier Bay

A remarkable day spent viewing and witnessing the loud crashing sound of the glacier calving at Hubbard Glacier.  It is breathtaking to see in person.  It is also amazing to realize this is happening every day and I have barely given this activity much thought.  What a difference a day can make in your perspective.  I am grateful for the opportunity to spend a day in Glacier Bay.  Some photo highlights are shared below.

Approaching Hubbard Glacier onboard the NCL Sun

Serene view on an overcast day

Hubby posing for a photo memory of Hubbard Glacier

Closer view highlights the blue tones within the glacier

Hubbard Glacier is more than six miles wide where it meets the ocean. 
More information: Hubbard Glacier

View leaving the glacier

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is Alaska Native owned-and-operated, with all profits directly supporting the community of Hoonah, Alaska’s largest Native Tlingit village.  Photo memories of a day at Icy Strait Point.

Pilot Boat escort to the dock

View of the NCL Sun along a trail at Hoonah

Zipline adventure - Icy Strait Point features the world's largest ZipRider, with six 5,330’ ziplines dropping 1330’. After launching, you will quickly accelerate to speeds exceeding 60 mph as you soar 300 feet above the rainforest below.

Huna Totem Corporation is owned by approximately 1,350 Alaskan Natives with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area

Tribal Dance and Cultural Legends at the Heritage Center Native Theater

Whale watching as they feed

Juneau

Juneau is situated  between Mount Juneau, Mount Roberts and Gastineau Channel. Viewing Mendenhall Glacier gives a sense of the majesty of the area.  Mendenhall Glacier is located within the Tongass National Forest – the largest national forest in the United States.  A few photo highlights follow.

A view at the port

Downtown shopping

Panning for Gold

Hubby at Mendenhall Glacier National Park.  View of the glacier.

Waterfall photo op at the National Park

Can you see the pink salmon?

Sea Lions sunning on the shore

Skagway

On the Alaskan Panhandle, Skagway is Klondike country. One of the highlights is to take a train ride on the White Pass Railray. The White Pass and Yukon Route narrow gauge railroad are part of the mining past in Skagway.  

Arriving at the Port of Skagway

Port of Skagway

A steam-powered, rotary snow-plow originally purchased by the railroad in 1898 is used to clear the line in early spring 

Part of the Best of Skagway tour includes a visit to Liarsville, a saloon style theater, grilled salmon meal, and gold panning are part of the visit.

Liarsville salmon grill area complete with entertainment

Markers for snow plows - yes snowfall accumulates at this height

White Pass Trail marker as seen from the White Pass train

A view of the gold rush trail on Yukon Pass

Can you see the hardship of navigating this trail?

Ketchikan

Arriving in Ketchikan, chances are good it will rain at least once. The average annual rainfall is 162 inches, but it has been known top 200 inches. Local residents call it ”liquid sunshine.” Mid-day is when the rain started during the day in port.  However, shopping is still fun and plentiful shops help out.  Below are a few photos of the highlights.

Entrance to Ketchikan

A view of the NCL Sun while docked in Ketchikan

Skilled worker replacing part of the totem poles

View of some of the many totem poles in front of the Totem Heritage Center

Needing repaired

Lumberjacks!

Log rolling competition

Showmanship with a lumber saw

World's deadliest catch excursion photo op

Vancouver

A beautiful place to see and considered one of the top cities for quality of life.  Vancouver has it all with a natural seaport to the Ocean, mountain forest ranges, and Canda Place cultural center at the heart of it all.  A walk along the seawall from Stanley Park, a trip over English Bay to Granville Island that is now a cultural district, heading over to North Shore to Grouse Mountation and the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, or a SkyRide gondola to the peak, and downtown Vancouver to visit historic neighbourhoods such as Gastown.  You need at least a month to see it all.  A few photo memories are shared below.

Canada Place

English Bay

Famous steam powered clock 

The Giants - Granville Island

Chinatown

Harbour Air  tour over Vancouver and surounding mountains

Harbour View

Beautiful mountain lake

Glacier view from plane