July 4,2024 Sitka, Alaska
I think you know by now that I try to approach life with zero expectations…not low expectations but zero expectations.
Sometimes a truly magical day sneaks up on me from way far out in left field and leaves me soaring with happiness. Let me try to convey this magical day to you.
First photo upon opening the drapes…still at sea, sailing for Sitka.
Breakfast in Trident …lots of fueling up happening 😊
Crystal’s homage to the Fourth.
After breakfast we popped down to the Bistro for some takeaway tarts.
Then we headed up to the Palm court for some entertainment as we sailed through the Alexander archipelago into port, arriving just before 1:00 pm. Britany Howk and the Showband performed and there were pastries, beverages and other goodies available.
I took a few photos from the bow on deck 12…here are two. It was windy and cold as we sailed along. The archipelago is stunning.
View from our stateroom as we docked.
Timmy watching the activity associated with docking. It was chilly, but not cold.
Below we have Timmy walking across the dance floor in the Stardust club, where we mustered for our tour: “Silver Bay Homestead Experience “
Photo taken from the bus enroute to our tour.
Our ride out to the homestead. That’s our Captain, Logan waiting for us.
Salmon snacks were provided, along with coffee, tea and hot cocoa.
Staging area for s’mores making.
Ricardo, one of our hosts.
Timmy enjoying his s’more.
The homestead was formerly a gold mining camp. It’s now owned by a local family, 90 members strong. Due to deed restrictions, the homestead can be no larger than its original footprint. It has been rebuilt and renovated many times since it’s inception.
I took several videos during the ride back…two are really memorable…but due to the weak internet here on the ship I cannot upload them now. One video features Coho salmon jumping outside the Medvejie Hatchery …very cool. …and the other video is even cooler…eagles flying about. I love that video so much… I’ve just about worn it out. I promise to come back here after we disembark and upload both. Pinky swear.
On the bus ride back to Serenity, I snapped this pic of some young people jumping off a raft. Timmy looked up the water temperature in Sitka … 55 degrees. Yikes…I don’t even like Siesta beach when it’s below 78 degrees. Oh to be young.
Back onboard we were able to enjoy our balcony before and during a long sail-away through the archipelago.
Timmy, with his eagle eye, discovered a pair of eagles in their nest…across from our balcony. He was able to snap a photo and we spent more than an hour mesmerized by these two and several other eagles flying high in the trees. The cool thing is, you hear them first, then you see them. Aside from the one photo that Tim took, we simply chilled out, not feeling the need to take any more photos or video. I cannot describe how wonderful it was to sit there with Timmy, in total silence watching the eagles and kayakers come and go. I did lean over and snap one kayak pic…and evidently Timmy took this photo of me.
Sailaway was spectacular …beyond spectacular…rivaling a favorite sailaway from Stockholm.
The very best thing? We were sailing slowly, so it was neither cold nor windy. It was absolutely perfick.
Please believe me when I say these photos do not begin to capture the beauty we experienced.
We didn’t want to leave the balcony.
Finally we changed and went off to the Cove.
We chatted with Adam (aka DJ Flair) in the Cove and when he finished his gig at 8:30 we invited him to join us for dinner.
Zucchini and beetroot tempura soup.
Chicken consume with noodles.
Spaghetti with olive oil and chili flakes.
Some sort of delicious fish
Scallop of Veal
English roast beef
It was after 10:00 when we left Waterside…way too late for the show, so we sat and enjoyed Martina playing her violin for a while.
When you view these photos and read this text…it probably seems like just another wonderful day aboard this ship. And it was another wonderful day. But the combination of eagles, archipelago sailaway and Timmy all resulted in a magnificent magical potion of happiness. Thanks for following along.🩵🩵🩵
