It had been 4 years since we had been to Alaska (my wife's favorite) so I agreed to have Alaska as part of the itinerary.  With two Southwest Rapid Rewards we flew to Seattle and spent 2 nights at the Paradise Inn near Mt. Rainier.  On the way we saw glimpses of the Mountain appearing behind medium clouds.  On the way up we stopped to observe Narada Falls. We then scoped out Reflection Lakes so that I could find my way at dawn for a photo op the next morning.  We then had time to hike from Reflection Lake to Pinnacle Peak Trail at sunset.

The next morning we went to Reflections Lakes.  Although many photographers were lined up, the weather was less than ideal.  I didn't bother to take any photos knowing that I had yet one more sunrise the next day.  We hiked to Camp Muir which we found as hard as the Grand Canyon due to the thin air and snow.  The next morning the weather was almost perfect for pictures at Reflection Lakes.  Click here for photos of this part of the trip:

We then flew to Anchorage and immediately drove to Denali National Park.  We stayed two evenings at the Denali Mountain Morning Hostel & Lodge.  We had a private cabin along with cooking facilities which were fine; but at our ages getting up to go to an outside bathhouse was not fun.  (In retrospect, perhaps the double bunks in a common room would have been better since the bathroom would have been INSIDE.)   On our first (and only full) day in Denali we took the shuttle bus as far back into the park as possible (past Wonder Lake, about 12 hours round trip).  The mountain only shows itself about 40% of the time so we felt lucky to see as much of it as we did.  We did see lots of animals but not as close as another "hosteler" who went on an earlier bus.  It would seem that the trick is to go early to see wildlife.  There are only a few pictures that you can find here

Diane was amazed at a quilt that was at the Eilson Visitor Center.  The picture can't due it justice since it was about 12 x 12 (in four parts).

After an evening of rest at the hostel, we moved on to Copper River via the Denali "Highway" which is known for its gravel breaking windshields.  Yes, it happened to us; but at least no spare tires were needed (2 full sized spares were recommended).  The weather was less than perfect; the route according to Frommer is supposed to absolutely spectacular.  We'll just have to do it again sometime.  At Copper River we stayed at the Princess Copper River Lodge which was a nice change from the hostel.  We then drove to Valdez where the Thompson Pass is normally the "Switzerland" of the US; unfortunately, it was rainy.  We then drove back to Anchorage since Seward would have been too far.

The next day we went to Seward hoping to take the full day Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise.  Due to strong winds the captain aborted the cruise to Aialik Glacier which would have been the highlight.  We have done this cruise 2 times before and has been the highlight of our Alaska experience.  If the weather is good, it is worth 2 times as much as they charge (about $130).  If the weather is bad it is worth about ½ of what they charge (we had a 2 for one coupon).  After the cruise was cut short we hiked to Exit Glacier and returned to our regular Bed & Breakfeast (The Ballaine House).  A couple photos of this portion of the trip are here:

Our highlight was actually staying with Marilee at her B&B talking with her other guests.  We have stayed here before and she is amazingly hospitable; (she provided us with rain gear, warm coats, gloves and Bonnie prior to our Resurrection Bay Cruise.)  She served the best omelet of my 3 week vacation; and I had many.

We then headed back to Anchorage to return the rented car and catch a shuttle to Whittier where we boarded the Princess Sapphire which cruised to College Fjord, Glacier Bay National Park, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan before ending in Vancouver.  The first two are Cruising only.  Glacier Bay pictures are here

At Skagway we rented a car and drove to Dyea and then on to Emerald Lake in the Yukon.  Some of the photos are here:

At Juneau we took the shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier.   Although the weather started off very foggy it cleared while we were hiking the East Mendenhall Trail.  On a set of switchbacks shortly after AJ Falls, I came around a corner and coming down the trail was a medium sized black bear.  I panicked and ran back (supposed to back up and not run).  I then decided to get out the camera and proceed forward again hoping for a picture.  Fortunately or unfortunately, the bear decided to scamper down the hillside before I could take any photos.  This bear was within 25 feet; a memorable experience.  The Medenhall Glacier pictures are here

In Ketchikan we went to Totem Bight since we had already been to Saxman Village and the Lumber Jack show (lumber jack contests).  The weather was reasonable here even though it is said of people from Ketchikan that they don't tan but rust from the 100s of inches of rain per year.

In Vancouver we got off the Sapphire and moved our stuff to a rented car.  Due to the rain we went to the Stanley Park Aquarium.  When the rain stopped, we went to the Granville Island Market.  We topped off the night with a hike up Grouse Mountain; affectionately called the "Grouse Grind" (a trail straight up the mountain with no switchbacks).  The next day we went to Lynn Canyon Park where we hiked a few miles before I went back to the Grouse Grind to hike it at full speed without Diane.  Early that morning the trail was closed for a benefit race, the BC Lung Society.  Nothing like a race to get my competitive juices flowing.  So I decided to hike it by myself.  I turned in a respectable time of 44:24 (1.8 miles in distance but 2,800 feet straight up).  The trail is called Nature's Stairmaster.  My time would have been 12th in my age division.  On the way down the air tram I spoke with a couple of the people who do it regularly.  (Going up is good for you; going down is hard on the knees.  So people buy a pass to use the Air tram to come down.)  Many do the Grind 3 or 4 times per week as their exercise.  If only we had a mountain to climb locally, …

After the Grind we returned our rental car and boarded the Norwegian Star for a repositional cruise to Los Angles.   (In the summer the ship does Alaska cruises out of Seattle; in the winter it does the Mexican Riviera out of LA.)  This cruise stopped at Victoria where we were the only 1 of 3 ships that docked due to high winds.  We had a great day in the Victoria area; we used our rented car to go to the Buchart Gardens where the roses were still in bloom.  This delighted Diane.  We have been there 2 other times but always too late for the roses.  We also went to the Craigdrough Castle built by the richest Canadian in 1890 (coal).  When he died he left his widow $20 million-a lot of money in those days.  You can see pictures of the Gardens and some of the wordwork details of the Castle here:

The next day was spent at Astoria, OR where we went to Ft. Stevens and then we stumbled upon Ecola State Park slightly before Cannon Beach (Haystack Rock is the prominent feature here).  The park reminded me much of the Big Sur area in CA.  While many of the beaches south of Astoria consisted of lots of sand; this place had real coastline character.  Check out the photos here:

Then we had a full day in San Francisco.  We rented a tandem bike and rode over the Golden Gate to Sausalito and then back to the Golden Gate State Park and then home (the ship).  Check out the many photos of the GG Bridge here:

We then flew home from Los Angles.