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
Online Running Coach | Running Shoe and Gear Reviews
cool pics. at least you got some rainwear with you :)
The trip looks amazing! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and a MUCH NEEDED break!
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!!
great pics!!! I'd love to take a trip up there – but I can't convince my wife….yet!
Wow. Totally amazing. I'm so jealous!
Looks like a beautiful trip, amazing pics good call on the balcony upgrade. :)
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!
We went on an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and it was AWESOME!!! I would recommend it to anyone!!
Great pics! Looks like a fun time!
Looks like an awesome trip! I hope you are rested and ready for running and other good stuff!
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!
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!
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…
I went on a Mission trip to Juneau and Ketchikan several years ago. I really liked it there- such a pretty area!
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!?!?!?)
I am in total jealous heaven just from the photos!!
Looks like a great trip! Whale watching IS amazing. It definitely looks like you made the best of the rainy weather!
I am in total jealousy heaven just from the pics!
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.
Great pics!! Looks like you had a great time. I bet the whale watching was soooo cool!
What awesome pictures!!!
Those are great pics! It looked like you had a wonderful trip! :)
Awesome pics! Looks like a fun trip!
What a beautiful place! At least you got to get some cooler temps and rain this summer!
That trip looks amazing. I have never wanted to go on a cruise but this looks very cool.
Such cool pics! Alaska is on my wish list for someday. I'll try and remember some raingear, thanks to you :)
Great pics – looks like some beautiful scenery! SCORE on the room upgrade.
I love the photos! It looks like you had an amazing, much-deserved vacation! Now, I want to go to Alaska…
I have always wanted to do an Alaskan cruise. How awesome
Awesome pics!! Looks like it was a wonderful and much needed vacation after all that training! Welcome back :)
i always wanted to go to alaska. i think a vacation is in order…
Looks spectacular! So glad you had a chance to experience it.
Would love to see Alaska, even more now, having seen your pics! :)
LOVE the pictures!!! Alaska is one of my very favorite places (though I couldn't live there cuz I hate to be cold!).
What a beautiful vacation! I have always wanted to go to Alaska, I'm so jealous. :)
great pictures! sorry to hear about the motion sickness. that can really make things miserable.
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!
what a fabulous trip! i had no idea alaska was part rain forest-crazy-good to know!
What an awesome trip! Love the pics. Enjoy the vacay.
Your pics are amazing. So glad you guys had a good time-minus the sick part (of course). Miss you!!
I would be happy if that was as close as I ever got to a bear! Looks like a beautiful trip, despite the weather.
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 :)