Day One to Alaska

Before summer truly began (if you can believe it has begun with weather like today's) we went on another adventure. Sure we've been to Alaska before - but I think we could visit many times over and experience new things every time! Somehow I don't think we are done going to the far north. At least as far as a cruise ship takes us.

It's been over a month since we first left! With today being a windy, rainy day closer to Fall than Summer (brrrr) it feels like a writing/reading sort of day! Time to Blog! We left for Alaska on June 11th (the day after B's big convocation celebration!) This time we were traveling with C & J. Right at the beginning of these adventure stories let me say they are good traveling companions. Fun and willing to go with the flow as the first story will tell you!

(Can you tell they are brothers? We heard that many times over during our days on board the Zuiderdam!) Without realizing it you could drive right across this new bridge and miss the immensity of it's planning and construction. That small "thing" going across is a tandem semi! That gives you a bit of perspective.

After a few stops for breakfast, ice-capps and gas we were travelling the Coquiholla by later afternoon. We made good time - now the adventure. We began having vehicle problems. As it turns out we had a Fuel Injection Regulator Module give out. All we could think about was - we have to make it to the ship!

Regardless of the un-nerving circumstance with the vehicle, we had an enjoyable supper at a place called "Duke of Dublin". It may have been a converted old home in downtown Chilliwack - we weren't sure, or if it was new building. Either way the food was great as we sat out in a sun room enjoying the warmth of sunshine streaming through from the west. "Bangers & Mash" was passed by for a delicious choice of "Hot Turkey Pastry". One should never let the pressing concern of a vehicle stop the enjoyment of a tasty meal!

Our stay for the night was in a truly historic building. The Royal Hotel, even though being older, was being maintained to keep it's charm from years past yet provide comfort for the present day traveler. Tall deep windows may have looked out on stagecoaches making their way into town, or cowboys tired and ragged from a day on the trail looking for a place to rest (but not until a visit to the saloon down the road). Even with modern shops now peering across the street at the relic standing graciously in their midst, the Royal stood proudly as if to say, "I have stories to tell of things you have never seen nor heard". Pictures lined the lobby walls giving glimpses of these tales.


We even had the tiniest of balconies off our suite. The TV seemed a bit out of place though!

What would the next day have in store for us? We checked out our options for a GM dealer in the morning. Two choices, one in Chilliwack itself or chance the drive to Vancouver and leave the truck with a dealer just a mile from Canada Place. The latter seemed more appealing, if we could get it to work out. C & J graciously woke up early and we all missed breakfast til later so we could maximize our time to drive the hour or so to the more desirable choice of Vancouver. But that is another whole day to come! A restless night with lots of praying what to do brought us into Day Two of our trip to Alaska.