Setting Sail

The train trip to Whittier was a delightful change from the busses.  The panoramic views from the domed cars and the freedom to move around  made the time pass quickly. Each of the seven cars were served by a Rail Guide and a Waiter. Our rail guide Helen, easily in her 80's, gave us highlights along the route and told us stories of her life here. She shares an apartment  in Anchorage in the summer and winters with her family in Idaho.  What a woman. She told us that paragliding off a mountain was on her bucket list and that she'd checked it off recently. She described how thrilling it was and that she didn't tell her family about it until it was over! (Granny, who does that sound like??  Can't wait until you are back running around in your convertible.  XO)  Our waitress, Winnie, was not much younger, sassy and efficient.  She delivered our lunch orders perfectly and only got rattled, or should I say irritated, when we changed seats. Both women performed their jobs with enthusiasm.   The only glitch in the train trip came at the end when the train route took us through 8 minutes of tunnel which caused the claustrophobic among us to panic a bit. No sweat.  You just go to your happy place and before you know it you're sitting at the dock beside a beautiful cruise ship.  Both the best and worst parts of this trip are the people. We've met some amazing, fun individuals and some self-absorbed, negative ones. We seem to gravitate to the former.  Life is too short to be anything but grateful...The mandatory muster (safety) drill, which can be mundane, takes on a new meaning since the cruise ship disaster this past year.  NO ONE joked or laughed, including the three jokesters in our group.  This morning we listened to a presentation by a naturalist about the glaciers we'll be seeing.  Another fascinating woman, she lived in Alaska as a child and wrote several books about her life.  When we reached the Hubbard Glacier about 4pm, she gave a narrative over the PA system describing what we saw. Windy and chilly but sunny, we're told how fortunate we are to see the glacier at all because often fog sets in preventing it.  She also told us that seeing Mt. McKinley yesterday makes us the only one-in-three visitors who get to see it.  I'm trying to pace myself with the plentiful food onboard.  It's hard when there's so much available. The good news is that fruits and veggies are just as common. I figure if I behave, I can hit the Ice Cream Bar occasionally. Mmm... Soft serve with sprinkles!  Tonite was formal night and though our guys wore sport coats , there were some men in tuxedos including our little 11 yr old friend Trevor.  The kid has charisma.  He stopped by our table shook Rick's hand and winked at the ladies. Oh my.  Time for bed. G'night!