SFO Airport - Trying to find the terminal
Mt Hood from the Airplane - Stirling took this one
Vancouver from the airplane
Vancouver from airplane
Walking into the Vancouver airport
Would you believe this is the Vancouver Airport?
Vancouver Airport
Vancouver airport
at Vancouver airport
Vancouver airport - very open & light
View of Vancouver from airport
Customs at the Vancouver airport - look at the line area
Water feature at airport
Women - Femmes
View from Marriott
View from Vancouver Bridge
Sky Train located on seperate bridge running parallel to main bridge
Hydranga outside Oke & Mark's House
Outside Oke and Mark's house
Outside Oke & Mark's house
Take your shoes off when visiting in Canada
Shoes off when inside a home in Canada
Oke - Antique Hunter - Amazing Steaks
Marriott Hotel Room at Night
Marriott View at night
Mike in Marriott hotel room
View of Vancouver Waterway
Outside Marriott Hotel - Street level
Downtown view
Downtown Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver Public Library
Vancouver has a large population of Chinese - this area is called China Town - Chinese Shops everwhere
Aparently you can purchase any Chinese product in Vancouver
Hastings Street at its best - Vancouver has a horrible Herion problem - Drug deals can be seen from the street - several blocks long, Hastings has these people lingering all over the sidewalk. Because Canada has National Medicine they have been trying to keep the addicts healty for as long as possible. For 3 years the town has had “safe house” with clean needles and medical help on-hand, the addict can bring their drugs into this building to shoot up. The police station is nearby and crime in Vancouver is above average, yet the population of Vancouver “seems” to be taking a “oh well” attitude towards this problem.
Close-up of Gastown Steam Clock - you can just see the steam from the top as it “chimes” the half-hour. The whistles play the Winstminster Quarters four times an hour.
From our Vancouver tour - built by Raymond Saunders in 1977 from a 1875 design - steam is underneath the streets and used to heat the nearby buildings. A favorite tourist stop in Gastown.
Can you see the gargoyles?
Tourists taking pictures of Totem Poles
Totem Poles of Stanley Park - Vancouver
Mortuary Pole Description
Placard explaining Totem Poles
Stanley Park Totem Poles - Vancouver
Apparently at one time tourists could get close to these totems, I guess they decided that was a bad idea and now tourists have to keep their distance. Makes for better photos.
Stanley Park view
View of Downtown from Stanley Park
View of Downtown Vancouver from Stanley Park
Resturant view from Stanley Park
Bridge leading to Vancouver Island (?) as seen from Stanley Park
View from Stanley Park, Vancouver
View from Stanley Park
Hen - you can see a baby Chick in lower left corner - Stanley Park
Noel - (Hcmom) at Stanley Park
Mike and icecream - Mario (Drummer) in orange shirt beside bus
Stanley Park, Vancouver
Stanley Park, Vancouver B.C.
Mark (pronounced by Joe Wagg as Maaak) our Vancouver tour guide
Part of our Vancouver tour - Robert Held Art Glass
Ourside the Robert Held Art Glass building
This is Mario who will be making something known only to himself.
Shop is rather long so that many Master glassblowers can work. We are being narriated throughout this process.
Mario is rolling colored glass onto very very hot glass he has just taken out of an oven
This is Mario's palet of colored glass. He would go back from time to time to add more colors to his project.
Mario is adding more glass to his project (?)
Heating it up again.
Using gravity to streach out the glass shape.
Mario is blowing in a tube that expands the inside of the glass - thus Glass Blowing!
Here he is using a cutting device that will allow the glass to be cleanly broken off the pipe.
He is using wetted newspapers to rub on the glass further shaping it. Notice him blowing on the tube to enlarge the glass.
This is our narriator.
Starting to form its final shape
Is it a bowl?
No it's a platter
Here is the final product
Jason (Loon) is being asked if he wants to make something
BLOW JASON!
What is it?
He blew way harder than most tourists, creating something very thin.
So thin that it broke at a touch.
Way to go Jason! This will end up in the recycling bin. Sorry Jason.
Mike watching from outside - very hot warehouse
Mario's other creative side.
Newly purchased bracelet
Waiting to get back on the bus after tour
Community Garden next to Robert Held Factory - located on abandoned railroad tracks
Large variety of flowers and vegatables are grown here.
Imagine this in an unused part of your city.
Flowers, Tomatos and Pumpkins
from community garden
Pumpkin Hiding till Halloween
Sunflower drying out
Dalias and Bachelor Buttons
From community garden
Bachelor Buttons
Stirling and Mike taking a break at market
market place
Inside the Market Place
Shoppers inside Market Place - many different vendors are set up in one large building
Deli
Various Vegatables
Eat your greens
Carrots and lettice
Grapes anyone?
No vegetarians here
Sweets for the Sweet!
Future Rasins?
Behind the marketplace - what a view
Entertainment pier behind marketplace
Highway over the marketplace
Every pier needs a juggler
Cement factory near marketplace - little boy looks at cement motion machine
View from deck 10 on the Infinity - cruise ship dock.
More view from Deck 10 of port we left from.
Busy port - I didn't realize how much better the view was going to get when I took this pictrure.
We start to gather in the rain on deck 10.
More people gather in the rain - some meeting each other for the first time.
Kids on the bridge wave to us as we pass under them.
First day of cruising - no land in sight - looks like a lonely site.
Mike and Stirling can't believe we are actually cruising to Alaska - I think it finally hit them here.
Meeting formally for the first time - Hal has microphone - beginning of the matching game - Pigasus is prize
Our first dinner table - Host Richard Saunders Australian Skeptics (r-l first row) Richard Saunders, Richard Ludwig & Wife, Travis Orbeck - (back row R - L ) Mike, Susan (sgf8), Stirling and Cody Golden
Stirling walking the deck at night
Mike has had enough of the first day.
The Amazing One!
Hal is labled
The audience at the first lecture
Perspective
Illusion
Richard Saunder's lecture
What really pisses off Richard Saunders
Mirror Images of Stirling
Stirling on Celebrity Infinity
Susan (sgf8) you could smile!
View of Deck 10 from Deck 12 - it is raining at this point which is why you see no one.
Deck 10 in the rain
Our panel - Hal, Phil, The Amazing One, Rebecca & Richard Saunders
Stirling's first look at Alaska
Not sure what makes the rock appear white - not snow
This was the normal view of coastline from ship deck
Almost the last building we saw on land for a day. Notice they have a helicopter on roof
Imagine this was your breakfast window. Woman unknown
Mike spent most of his down-time in front of ice cream stand. “I Scream - You Scream - We all Scream for Ice Cream!”
Rebecca's Killer Shoes!
Stirling Forsyth and Mario (Drummer)
Oh those Scottish Men!
First Fancy Night - Rebecca, Hal and Cleon
Our first formal night - we sat with a group from Tennessee (front row) - Cody, Mike, Stirling & Susan (back row L to R)
Formal night - our view from the table
View from our dining area
Susan (sgf8) & Mike Deatras at formal night
Mother and Son
Stirling views the other cruise ships docked at Ketchikan
Ketchikan viewed from ship
Mike gets ready to go ashore
water passage by Ketchikan
Ketchikan
Security station ready to depart to Ketchikan - I was told to not take pictures for security reasons
Richard Saunders, Marcella & Phil Platt on board lifeboat that will take us ashore.
Ketchikan - sea plane taking off....
It's going to be cold!
The Infinity from the rear
Homes in Ketchikan
Ketchikan homes
Ketchikan Harbor
Piers in Ketchikan
Dogs watching tourists - Ketchikan
Air field
The Infinity and Sea Plane
Peir
Mural in Ketchikan
Mike seeing the sights in Ketchikan
Wow! I thought Alaskan gas was cheaper than in the states.....Salinas gas currently $2.97.
Safeway parking lot we found in Ketchikan
Mike is tired from day in Ketchikan - Deck 10.
Dollar Turkey Richard Saunders made while the group sat an talked on Deck 10.
Don Lacey (AZAtheist) and Rick down loading Podcasts to my IPod - deck 10
Car Ferry in Ketchikan
Don Lacey (AZAtheist) doing “the bird” - deck 10
In Martini Lounge waiting for dinner - (L to R) Rebecca, Harriett Hall (way in back) Noel (HCMom) back to camera, Linda Shallenberger (on right)
Mr. & Mrs. Hague's anniversary
Stirling and Desert
Stirling playing Battletech on Deck 10
Snow Mountains past Ketchikan
Past Ketchikan
Stirling trying to find ghostly orbs
Snowy mountains past Ketchikan
Mountains past Ketchian
Stirling's First Double Scoop Ice Cream Cone
Our first sighted Ice Burg! Man the Lifeboats Kiddies!
Cool mountain range past Ketchikan
Rock Iceburg
Icefiel
Near Hubbard Glacier
icefield near Hubbard Glacier
The beginning of Hubbard Glacier
Hubbard Glacier
This extends over 70 miles past this mountain
Hubbard Glacier from a distance
Infinity launchs a craft to film our ship approaching the Glacier
Film crew waves at Ship
This is a closeup of the water near the boat
The Hubbard Glacier from inside the warm Deck 10
Closeup of Hubbard Glacier
Closeup of film crew
On deck with other freezing people viewing Hubbard Glacier
Many many stories tall - very difficult to judge scale
Can you imagine this going on for 70+ miles?
The dark area on the left is glacier covered with rock - underneath it is still glacier
The cameras were clicking this day - ice field in water
Otters were amoungst this ice field watching us - very difficult to see here
This is what we were waiting for freezing on deck - several stories of ice broke off into the water - what a sound
You can still see where the glacier is settling in the water
This was the closest the Infinity had been to Hubbard Glacier all season, it broke a record and the crew were all excited.
We are still very far from the Glacier - Captain isn't worried about ice falling on us but the glacier extends under the water and they are worried about ice breaking off under the water level and shooting up into the bottom of the boat. They said that would be bad, very bad if it happened. So the Captian has to stay a certain distance for safety.
Deck 10 and 11 - It is really really cold out here - plus a light rain
No sunbathing this day - ice is all anyone wants to see
This is the passage we came in through and will be heading out of again
More ice falling - the crowd goes nuts!
It kept happening while we watched.
Maybe this picture will help you understand the scale of the Glacier
Eyes searching for more breakage. If you hear it first then it is too late to see it. It seems that you can't make it break off. We tooted our ship's whistle as a salute to the Glacier that we were the closest all season. From what they explained to us, when importaint people (heads of state) visited this glacier they tried to make ice break off by making loud noises and firing rounds into the ice, but to no advail. It breaks off when it is good and ready to do so.
Heading back out the the inlet - judging from the lights on the picture you can tell I'm back inside warm Deck 10
Leaving Hubbard Glacier
Ice Field leaving Hubbard Glacier
Cool mountain - leaving Hubbard Glacier area
The way out
Dinner again - (R to L) Kevin, Al, Amazing Randi, David Abramis, Marcella, Johnas (back row) Susan, Stirling & Mike
Tracy Durden, Joahnas, Phil Platt and wife Marcella
Stirling on the marble staircase
A typical breakfast on Deck 10 (L to R) Barbara, Scott Hurst, Noel (standing), Randi, ?, Steve?, Barbara Mervine (Kitty), Matthew, Mario (Drummer) and Chris (Fitter).
Randi and Pigasus
Tram that will take us up to Mr. Roberts
Looking down tram cables - I think our ship is far Right
Couldn't resist this picture!
Mt. Roberts
Lichen hanging from tree - this is a fungi/algae mix
Lichen hanging from tree - Mt. Roberts
Mt Roberts
Milling around discussing where everyone is headed
This is Spirit the resident Bald Eagle - she is blind in the left eye and is watching us out of her good eye. She was shot when she was found and rescued - her wings have been clipped and she stays in this cage about 8' x 8' x 4' She can never be released because she will just crash into trees, during the coldest part of the year she lives with a naturalist in Jeaeau.
They may look delicate but they arn't - Mt. Roberts, Juneau
The geo layers were amazing
Mt. Roberts - Juneau, Alaska
This was the tram building located on top of Mt. Roberts
Carved into one of the trees on Mt. Roberts
Mt. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Rebecca, Marcella, Phil Platt & Robert Saunders - Mt. Roberts trail
Overlooking Juneau harbor from Mt. Roberts
Juneau harbor as seen from Mt. Roberts
Mt Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Stirling on hike - Mt. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Looking through tram glass at Downtown Juneau
Downtown Juneau
Alaska is full of colorful flowers everywhere even in September - this is outside Juneau's public library.
Stirling took this picture of Mike “relaxing” notice he is sitting outside of the ice cream shop
View from ship - Juneau, Alaska
This is a man-made area made from the leftovers of gold minning - Juneau, Alaska
Stirling and I hike Mt. Roberts again
Look at the muddy trail - it got worse in areas
The other side of Juneau Alaska
Juneau Harbor from Mt. Roberts
The inlet we took to get in to Juneau, Alaska
View of Juneau
Stirling on the go - Mt. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Father Brown Cross - Stirling had to take this picture as I couldn't climb mountain anymore - huff puff
Susan (sgf8) has had enough hiking for the moment - Mt. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Cleon on Mt. Roberts trail - Juneau, Alaska
Stirling checks his wingspan - Mt. Roberts, Juneau
Path to tram - Mt. Roberts, Juneau, Alaska
Juneau on a wet September day
Barbara Mervine (Kittyh) leaves ship to visit Juneau
Mike on the way to relax in hot tub
Hot tub on the Infinity - Phil, Richard Saunders, Susan (sgf8) & Marcella
Cleon & Mark Fisher on Deck 10
Susan Hurst, Mark & Kittyh
Randi in the days of the Bible
View from dining area - Causal dress
Judy & Marshall Deutsch - Mike, Stirling & Susan (sgf8)
Icy Strait Point Museum, Alaska
Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Tender Dock at Icy Strait Point
The Infinity - Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Icy Strait Point musuem - Salmon canning
This is the Tlinglit Indian town of Hoonah - woman under tent is selling a sauve that is made of devil's root - it heals just about any kind of cut or burn. She told us it cured her father when he had a stroke. Look at the tourists that jumped off the bus to buy.
They can't gather up the money fast enough - Hoonah, Alaska
Mike looks like a local here in Hoonah, Alaska. This is the main part of the town. We did Hoonah in about 5 minutes.
Hoonah, Alaska
Mike and Stirling waiting for bus to pick us up and take us back to Icy Straight Point
Hoonah harbor
Mike waiting in the Icy Straight Point Canning Museum
Icy Strait Point, Alaska - look at how clear and pure this water is - see the reflection of the plant
Icy Strait Point - Aliens?
More proof of alien life in Icy Point Strait - who else would have stacked rocks in such a way?
Pure untouched Icy Straight Point, Alaska
This is clear water - Icy Strait Point
Untouched Icy Strait Point
Worlds longest zip line (over 1 mile) Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Icy Strait Point
Mike admires the peaceful surroundings of Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Incoming on Zip Line - Icy Strait Point, Alaska
They are getting closer....
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh......
Zip Line $85 per person, a beautiful 45 minute ride to get to top of mountain all over in 90 seconds
Icy Straight Point museum
Another view of Zip Line - Icy Strait Point, Alaska
Tender dock - Icy Strait Point
Noel (in pink jacket) & Adam coming back from Icy Point Strait
Rebecca & Richard Saunders coming back from Icy Point Strait
Icy Strait Point viewed from Deck 10
Goodbye Icy Strait Point - the 'real' Alaska
Icy Strait Point museum
Mario (Drummer) and Barbara (from the Netherlands)
Pigasus
Oke (Antique Hunter) runs a poker game
Oke (Antique Hunter)
Rebecca prepares for her lecture tomorrow
Scotch Tasting Event - $15.95 per person PLUS 15% service fee PLUS tip
Drinking Buddies - Pigasus and Nancy Lacey
Rebecca
Dude I think you've had enough!
Just one more sip of that Scotch
Harriet Hall (Skep Dr)
Richard Saunders plays the Ring Ring magic trick on Harriet
Stirling talks to the Hagues
Pigasus & Barbara (from the Netherlands)
Formal night - (front) Marcella & Hal Bidlack (back L to R) Susan (sgf8), Mike, Stirling, Jason (Loon) & Chris (Fitter)
Elegant
The dining crew bring in the Baked Alaska (this is done in the near dark but my flash made it a lot lighter)
More Baked Alaska photos
The dining crew really gets into this Baked Alaska fun
Finally here is the Baked Alaska
One waiter wears his Baked Alaska on his head
Saturday night Dining Gala - this took 48 hours for 30 chefs to create this dining experience
Photo Op for dining gala
Ice Sculpture at Dining Gala
Bread creations at Dining Gala
Windmill made of breads at Dining Gala
Wine Sculpture at Dining Gala
The crowd comes out to see all the work put in the Dining Gala
They gather on Deck 10
Watching the blackmail videos Jeff Wagg downloaded from some poor victim
Deck 10 watching videos on Jeff Wagg's computer
Nearly home
Our Wake
Sunshine at last!
Mario, Nancy Lacey, Barbara, Don Lacey enjoying the sun on the last day of the cruise
Vancouver Island
Deck 10 looking down through glass floor window
Rebecca gives away results to matching game
Stirling, Rebecca, Susan, Pigasus & Jason (Loon)
Susan (sgf8), The Amazing Randi, Pigasus and Stirling
Stirling, Pigasus, Hal & Elaine Gilman
Two Amazing People and a pig (Pigasus)
Pigasus at Vancouver Airport
Pigasus says “goodbye” to JREF friends....“till TAM” he squeeks.....
