Our Trip to Alaska, oh what an experience.

When you are looking forward to going on vacation, the anticipation is just as exciting as the vacation itself.

My husband and I planned our vacation with my two sisters to go on an Alaskan cruise on the Princess Crown ship. MY sister's flew into Seattle from San Diego and we came in from Cedar City Utah to board the ship.

My husband, daughter and I have gone on a three day Disney cruise with a large group of friends years ago, but that is the extent of our experience on a cruise ship.

My husband decided to get us a pent house suite, the room was very nice and the balcony was awesome. My sister's came up to hang out and party and to just enjoy when we weren't walking around the ship enjoying live show's and a funny comedian. If you like to eat, which I know is everyone's pass time, there is food that tempts any palette.

We went to the steak and seafood house for a couple of very nice dinners, Russ enjoyed a fine filet Mignon, which he rates as the best one he's ever had, even though we have gone to a couple of top steak houses in the country on a few of our travels. My sister's and I over indulged on lobster. I have to tell you, I have never gotten full on lobster before, but I did on this trip every time we had it.

Russ set up the ultimate dining experience served by a butler and his assistant in our room. It was supposed to be on the balcony, but it was a little too cold out to take advantage of the views. We had fine wine, caviar, which I have to admit, I don't care for, but I'm sure was very good to those who love it. My sister Linda was in heaven with the sushi and specialty Hors D'Oeuvres they served. Next they served a green salad with candied walnuts, the dressing of our choice and a specialty cheese that topped it. Next was the main course. The Filet Mignon Russ ordered was huge and so tender you could practically cut it with a fork with a side of fresh cut vegetables cooked to perfection. Linda, Kathy and I had lobster and Ribeye steak. Oh, my gosh, it was huge and it fell apart as we cut into it. If that wasn't enough, we were then served a selection of specially made deserts for our meal. Each course was a piece of art as it was served. We may never get to experience something like that again, but it was an experience none of us will ever forget.

We left Seattle and set sail to Juneau Alaska, it was cold and mostly foggy, but we had a wonderful time walking in and around the ship taking in all the views and the wonderful architecture of the ship. Everywhere you looked there was something beautiful, but none could take the focus off the real beauty, which is the great outdoors.

I sat for hours watching the sea for the Hump Back Whales, but only saw them from a distance as they blew water up on the surface. My sister Linda, was lucky and one time while she was out, she was looking down at the water, when a whale came up not far from from the ship and showed tail as it dove down deep.

Our next stop was Skagway Alaska. It was very cold and windy there. We visited all the shops and ate lunch in a small locally owned coffee and sandwich shop. I had a bowl of chilly that was to die for. Lisa, who owned Klondike Cafe was a gracious hostess, who was getting ready to close up in three days for the winter an go on to Arizona until the Alaskan winter was over. She said, there weren't a lot of people who who stayed, as everything pretty much closed down.

Our next stop was at Glacier Bay. Going into the bay was cold, but well worth the teeth chattering and bone chilling wind what cut through everything I wore. I stood at the front of the ship taking in all the beautiful views, that really is hard to explain in words. It's just something you have to experience and take in. It is something I will never forget.

There was a lot of glacier ice in the water as we came up on the magnificent glacier that groaned and cracked as pressure pushed it down from the mountains. We saw pieces of it falling into the bay. I have to admit, seeing the glacier really makes you think about the world we live in. It was dirtier than I expected, but remembering that these glaciers are carving out the landscape beneath the ice as it digs, scrapes, and carving out new landscapes, with ice as old as time, just boggles the mind. When you take the time to look at the layers of ice from it's oldest to the newest snow on tip, you will see the beautiful designs that resemble marble, with one of a kind sights that will never be seen again as the ice continues to make new landscapes.

Our next stop was at Jaw Drop Glacier, they call it that, because as you round the bend you'll see nature at it's best. This is the place where the North American Continent meets up with the Pacific Plate and pushes high into the air. The geological implications are breathtaking and wondrous, really making you think of wild Alaska at it's best and it's scariest. It makes you ponder life and how small we are and it humbles the soul, at least it did mine.

Sharing this experience with my husband and sister's meant more to me than anything else. Words weren't spoken, but a look of complete understanding was what was shared as we looked around. The other passengers had the same looks as they too looked around at the beauty.

The captain announced that we were very lucky to be able to enjoy the views without the torrential rains they have had most of the season, it was fitting to have such a beautiful experience on the last trip to Alaska for the season.

We then went on to Ketchekan Alaska. I woke up early, before the sun came out and went out onto the balcony and my breath caught as I looked down at the lights of the town. I looked out to the east and saw the glow of the sky beginning to illuminate the sky which was clear of no clouds. The reflection on the water, was comparable to gold dancing on the water with the pier and boats lining the inlet.

We were lucky to enjoy this wonderful place with sun shinning that day where it was actually warm, something that we were told doesn't happen much. We walked around the town, went shopping and ate at another locally owned cafe, where everything was made from scratch and was very good.

The last place we went to was Victoria, Canada. It was night when we got there, and we couldn't really see the area, but the lights and shops that lined the streets, gave off an an air of a quaint place with old beautiful buildings and spectacular architecture. The Parliament Building was outlined with lights, making the place come alive on the water front.

We got back to Seattle where we started our journey completely content with our memories and experiences. We want to go again someday to enjoy more of the excursions we did not go on during this trip.

I want to thank the ships, crew and room stewards that took care of us. Meeting people from all different walks of life and just about every country was just as much of an experience as the cruise itself, which made the trip take on different dynamics at every turn.

I'm thankful and humbled to be able to enjoy this time with my family.