Yesterday to a day of full sunshine most of our guests left. About ten o'clock the rest of us were taken by bus to a tourist ship that holds over one hundred so the sixty of us had lots of room. The sea life trip was unbelieveable. We had been out for less than half an hour when two large pods of orcas began playing around the boat, one on each side. They were within twenty feet of the boat and we could see details of their colors and sizes. Just a bit later a happy little sea otter put on a show for us. We had to be very quiet for the otter as they are sensitive to noise. Terry Breen was on board and she found a mountain goat that many saw but I just could not find. After we had been looking for or at the goat for fifteen minutes, the captain told us that we were so busy with the goat we were missing the BLACK BEAR that was on the other side of the boat about half-way up a mountain. He was foraging and had apparently not been out of hibernation for very long. There were many sea birds and eagles were very common. On the way back we visited a site containing about one hundred sea lions of different sizes and colors which was a lot of fun. We were seeing so much wildlife that lunch was delayed a bit. The lunch of salmon, rice, corn on the cob, etc., was eaten on the boat..I have heard many people say this was the very best sea life expedition they had been on.

Today is a day at sea and tomorrow is my favorite Alaskan city, Sitka, which I enjoy for its strong Russian influence.

Ardis

Yesterday late afternoon we had a woman fall on the steps by Reception breaking her arm. Our ship returned to the bay and waited for an emergency float plane to come to evacuate her. I have not heard anything more except that it was a compound fracture. We are hoping she can rejoin the ship today in Sitka. The weather is gorgeous, brillient sunshine. There are two huge ships here, one Celebrity and the other the Carnival Spirit.

Stan and I walked the town and then went to the New Archangel Dancers which are celebrating their fortieth year. The dances were energetic and some of the best I have seen from them.

Ardis

LCT has triumphed again in Trivia with wins the last two games. Let's see how long it lasts.

We were told the woman who broke her arm was airlifted to Anchorage and is doing well. We haven't heard if she will be able to rejoin the ship.

We are cruising Tracy Arm this morning and will be at Juneau abut one o'clock. Weather continues to be wonderful. The glaciers and snow fields are stunning.

As far as I can tell there are very few children on board. I have only seen two boys about 7 and 9, very well behaved. It seems that school is not out yet for most of the United States. The ship is full and we see some lines at the destinations desk and sometimes at reception. Lounges are more crowded and noisy. There is a group on board from General Motors who are loud. Many new guests are playing Trivia and also the daily games. Reservations for Prime 7 and Signatures are being severely rationed, one per cabin for the week, and many of the WC are fussing as reservations were so easy to come by previously.

Ardis