Alaska, Washington * Day Seventeen 09-04-08

We again woke up early and was at the airport to watch the sun rise. What a beautiful morning.

It is raining again, does this mean we are to see a glacier?

Good bye Alaska. We had a great 14 days with the http://www.countrytours.com/ group and met many new friends from many states. The tour director told us we had traveled 4,100 miles in Alaska and the Yukon.

Yes, we did get to see a glacier and this time from air. A glacier is a river of ice and snow.

I am frowning because it is cloudy and I can't see the ground anymore.

Hello Seattle. I can see the ground again. Time to change our watches back to Pacific Time.

We headed south from the airport and can once again see Mount Rainier which is the highest point in Washington at 14,411'

We went across this bridge over the Columbia river and into Oregon.

Oregon is another state that I have never been in before.

The Beaver State ranks 10th in land area and 27th in population. The largest city is Portland and the capital is Salem. We drove through both cities.

We drove 173 miles to Wilsonville to spend the night.

Washington, Vancouver British Columbia * Day Five 08-23-08

Our World Wide Country Tour group of forty one was bussed by motor coach from Seattle, WA. to Vancouver, British Columbia where we boarded our cruise ship and sailed at 5 p.m.

On our way we stopped at the Big Cedar Stump at Mount Vernon, Washington.

I feel so small beside this big cedar tree.

Going through Canadian customs. This is the Canadian flag. B.C. ranks 4th in land size and 3rd in population with Vancouver, Canada being the largest city.

Vancouver BC is a large city. They are getting ready for the Winter Olympics in 2010.

We left Vancouver, British Columbia on Holland America's luxury cruise ship, the ms Statendam.

There wasn't a life vest small enough for me so I hid in Papa Ken's pocket during the life boat drill.

Heading north on the Strait of Georgia to Alaska.

My pineapple Sundae was delicious.

This towel frog was on our bed. I gave the candy to Papa Ken and Mama Bev.

Look at my BIG bed! It has been a long day and I am ready to sleep. Good night.

Idaho and Washington * Day Four 08-22-08

The Gem State ranks 1th in land area and 39th in population. Boise is the capital and largest city.

Idaho Flag

Washington, The Evergreen State, ranks 20th in land area in 15th in population. Seattle is the largest city and Olympia is the capital.

Crossing the Columbia River

Seattle Space Needle

Mt. Rainier is 14,441' high.

Are we there yet? We drove 737 miles today to Seattle WA and are now in the Pacific Time Zone. We met our tour group at an evening meeting and received instructions for our ventures tomorrow.