It's the middle of the year already, and, as a way to celebrate, I am inviting each of you to prepare a post featuring your own five favorite images you've posted during the first six months of this 366 challenge. I've been amazed at some of the photography you all have posted, and am looking forward to seeing which ones you pick out as your own favorites.
After selecting your five favorites, re-post them on any day between now and 6/30, all in a single post, titled "My Favorites - First 6 Months." Indicate whether or not you'd like feedback.
To make your five stay at the top of your blog, first publish your post with the current date and time. This will make it appear on your blog. Then, edit the post to change the date in "Post Options" to a future date ... say July 6 ... and publish it again. I've already posted my five, just below this message.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Alaska Ferries
A lot of people ask us questions about traveling the Alaska Marine Highway vessels (commonly called the "ferries").
The reason the ferries are so vital to the residents of Southeast Alaska is because there are no roads connecting any of the towns. Juneau, for instance is bordered on one side by water, on another by mountains and a massive ice field. Although it has been a long topic of discussion, no road has been cut through, to the north. There are a lot of expensive obstacles to such a road, including avalanche zones, bald eagle nests, and other environmental challenges.
The ferries are ocean-going vessels. Other than the "day ferries," the ships have comfortable staterooms available, some of them with full shower/bathroom facilities. Dan and I always got a stateroom if we were going to spend a night or more on board. But those who are more adventurous (and usually younger) avoid paying for a stateroom by sleeping in sleeping bags, on deck, in designated areas; or in the reclining "airline seats" in some of the lounges.
Some people bring their own food on board, so they don't have to eat in the cafeteria (or dining rooms, which are available on some ships), because the food is a little expensive. When Kathy and I made the trip south with our five kids, in 1978, we ate one meal a day in the cafeteria, and used our own food for the other meals.
The inland passage route, that goes from Bellingham, Washington, to Skagway, Alaska, seldom sees much wave action, so most of the trip is usually calm and smooth. Going across the Gulf of Alaska, on the other hand, can be rough -- rough enough that they securely chain all of the cars to the deck for this trip.
I'm often asked how I would recommend traveling to Alaska. It all depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you want luxury, extravagant meals and service, you'll want to go by cruise ship. This route is covered by many different cruise lines. But if you're making the trip to meet people, see the sights, and have a little adventure, then the Alaska Marine Highway will be perfect for you -- and considerably less expensive, especially if you are not bringing a vehicle.
Here is the website for the Alaska Marine Highways: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html
If you click on Vessels Information under "Sailing with Us," you can see pictures of all of the ferries.
The reason the ferries are so vital to the residents of Southeast Alaska is because there are no roads connecting any of the towns. Juneau, for instance is bordered on one side by water, on another by mountains and a massive ice field. Although it has been a long topic of discussion, no road has been cut through, to the north. There are a lot of expensive obstacles to such a road, including avalanche zones, bald eagle nests, and other environmental challenges.
The ferries are ocean-going vessels. Other than the "day ferries," the ships have comfortable staterooms available, some of them with full shower/bathroom facilities. Dan and I always got a stateroom if we were going to spend a night or more on board. But those who are more adventurous (and usually younger) avoid paying for a stateroom by sleeping in sleeping bags, on deck, in designated areas; or in the reclining "airline seats" in some of the lounges.
Some people bring their own food on board, so they don't have to eat in the cafeteria (or dining rooms, which are available on some ships), because the food is a little expensive. When Kathy and I made the trip south with our five kids, in 1978, we ate one meal a day in the cafeteria, and used our own food for the other meals.
The inland passage route, that goes from Bellingham, Washington, to Skagway, Alaska, seldom sees much wave action, so most of the trip is usually calm and smooth. Going across the Gulf of Alaska, on the other hand, can be rough -- rough enough that they securely chain all of the cars to the deck for this trip.
I'm often asked how I would recommend traveling to Alaska. It all depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. If you want luxury, extravagant meals and service, you'll want to go by cruise ship. This route is covered by many different cruise lines. But if you're making the trip to meet people, see the sights, and have a little adventure, then the Alaska Marine Highway will be perfect for you -- and considerably less expensive, especially if you are not bringing a vehicle.
Here is the website for the Alaska Marine Highways: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/index.html
If you click on Vessels Information under "Sailing with Us," you can see pictures of all of the ferries.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Who Are They?
When Dan was a child, living in Seattle, he lost both his mother and father within a year of each other. Dan and his brother (two years older) both went to Texas to live with an uncle on his mother's side, named Wiley. Wiley was married to Lauretta, and they had three children of their own - Marci, Kathy and Mark.
About a year ago, Wiley passed away. Terye continued to take care of Lauretta until recently, when Lauretta went to live with her other daughter, Kathy, in Montana.
Update - September 23, 2008: Lauretta, also, passed away recently.
To return to Linda's Window, click here.
Update - September 23, 2008: Lauretta, also, passed away recently.
To return to Linda's Window, click here.
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