Our cruise started off with a bang…we got upgraded to a room with a balcony! Wooot what a difference this made, especially since I was all funky dunkey motion sick. 
What David and I were too silly to plan for was RAIN…and guess what Alaska is part of a temperate RAIN forest, so all those hikes I planned…whoops! First we hiked through a Totem Pole national park, next we hiked down to a glacier and our last hike was probably the hardest one I’ve ever done through a forest!! Yes these hikes helped keep me from gaining a bazillion pounds on cruise ship food!
WHALE WATCHING…seriously how could you describe seeing a whale in the while up close and personal as anything but AMAZING. We climbed aboard this tiny boat and sped off to watch for their spouts which is how you then know where they are! We probably saw about 5 and one was super close to the boat, which was quite a site. No orca’s this time, just a bunch of loner hump backs. We also saw seals, bald eagles and dolphins throughout the trip.
MOOSE AND BEAR
This was as close to a moose or bear as I got…very disappointed. :)
Glad to be back home now! Can’t wait to catch up with all of you!
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Gratitude Journal
July 6
I am grateful for silly photos
I am grateful for long enough arms to take self portraits 
I am grateful David let’s me take so many pics
I am grateful my camera battery didn’t die
RunToTheFinish
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Genesis
cool pics. at least you got some rainwear with you :)
Anna Banana
The trip looks amazing! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and a MUCH NEEDED break!
J
That looks like such an awesome trip! I have always wanted to take an Alaskan Cruise!! After seeing all your awesome pictures, now I want to go soon!!
Adam
great pics!!! I'd love to take a trip up there – but I can't convince my wife….yet!
lifestudent
Wow. Totally amazing. I'm so jealous!
EricaH
Looks like a beautiful trip, amazing pics good call on the balcony upgrade. :)
Kelly
Wow, such gorgeous photos! I have always wanted to take a cruise in Alaska but I'm scared of the motion sickness thing, I never want to spend my whole trip sick!
Holly - Run Like the
We went on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and it was AWESOME!!! I would recommend it to anyone!!
teacherwoman
Great pics! Looks like a fun time!
Christina
Looks like an awesome trip! I hope you are rested and ready for running and other good stuff!
ajh
Regarding my list of 5 athletes I admire – 2 of the 5 were women. Joan Benoit Samuelson and Marla Runyan.An Alaskan cruise is my dream! Looks wonderful!
Jen
Wow, what a beautiful trip, rain and all! Alaska is on my list! Glad you're back, hope you've recovered well from your marathon. I'm also curious to know what you think about Chi Running. I've read that but not Born to Run yet and am curious if they are similar. That can be one of your book reports!
Meg
Alaska looks chilly, wet and FUN…nice snuggling weather, right??? No need for sunscreen so you could take a little sun/heat break! I can't believe that ice bergs really exist, those were so cool. I'm glad you had a wonderful vacay…
Lori Lynn
I went on a Mission trip to Juneau and Ketchikan several years ago. I really liked it there- such a pretty area!
Trying To Heal
ah, what a fun time! i have to get to alaska some day! glad you enjoyed it! (but just saw your tweet about going back to urgent care; hope you're alright!?!?!?)
shellyrm aka jogging
I am in total jealous heaven just from the photos!!
Amy
Looks like a great trip! Whale watching IS amazing. It definitely looks like you made the best of the rainy weather!
shellyrm aka jogging
I am in total jealousy heaven just from the pics!
MomRunningFromCancer
The pictures are lovely and I can only imagine that they don't do it justice. I think that every picture of Alaska probably needs a wide angle lense -That must have been such a wonderful surprise to get a room with a balcony – how great.I hope you and hubby totally enjoyed yourselves – what a memorable vacation.
Melissa
Great pics!! Looks like you had a great time. I bet the whale watching was soooo cool!
Staci Dombroski
What awesome pictures!!!
Aimee (I Tri To Be M
Those are great pics! It looked like you had a wonderful trip! :)
Jamie
Awesome pics! Looks like a fun trip!
Her Name is Rio
What a beautiful place! At least you got to get some cooler temps and rain this summer!
Laura
That trip looks amazing. I have never wanted to go on a cruise but this looks very cool.
Java Joggers
Such cool pics! Alaska is on my wish list for someday. I'll try and remember some raingear, thanks to you :)
Marlene
Great pics – looks like some beautiful scenery! SCORE on the room upgrade.
Emily
I love the photos! It looks like you had an amazing, much-deserved vacation! Now, I want to go to Alaska…
Jocelyn
I have always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise. How awesome
Indi
Awesome pics!! Looks like it was a wonderful and much needed vacation after all that training! Welcome back :)
thefoodrunner
i always wanted to go to alaska. i think a vacation is in order…
misszippy
Looks spectacular! So glad you had a chance to experience it.
Mel-2nd Chances
Would love to see Alaska, even more now, having seen your pics! :)
Jill
LOVE the pictures!!! Alaska is one of my very favorite places (though I couldn't live there cuz I hate to be cold!).
Jessie (Bites and Pi
What a beautiful vacation! I have always wanted to go to Alaska, I'm so jealous. :)
Denise
great pictures! sorry to hear about the motion sickness. that can really make things miserable.
Middle Name Marie
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, I do put in the miles around KC, and I am graduated from Mizzou! I hope Miami is treating you well!
fitandfortysomething
what a fabulous trip! i had no idea alaska was part rain forest-crazy-good to know!
X-Country2
What an awesome trip! Love the pics. Enjoy the vacay.
Kim
Your pics are amazing. So glad you guys had a good time-minus the sick part (of course). Miss you!!
sRod
I would be happy if that was as close as I ever got to a bear! Looks like a beautiful trip, despite the weather.
Danica's Daily
It looks like you all had such a fun time on the Alaska Cruise! We haven't done that one yet, but, I totally want to :)Great pics – off to play catch up on everything else now….I am so far behind on my blog reading :)