quote:

Originally posted by Winnie Pooh:
I've just booked the Dog Sledding on the Mendenhall Glacier, had no trouble booking it but Iam getting in early - nearly 4 months. I'll decide on the others later as there is no person limit on the ones I'm thinking of doing. Bit disappointed that the Alaskan Bear Adventure is not offered on my trip but I thought that I might do the Rain Forest Sanctuary and Eagle Centre instead. The other one I thought I'd do is Salmon Bake and Gold Panning Camp.

Fantastic news Winnie. Don't be too disappointed if you don't see too many bears in Canada or Alaska, they are very few and far between.

All the towns that the ship's dock in are very interesting and easy walking distance from the dock, try and leave yourself some time to just wander around. There are lots of history museums describing the pioneers in the very early days of settlement.

I really enjoyed the White Pass railway excursion out of Skagway.

We didn't see a single bear while in Alaska, came home looked out into our back yard and lo and behold there was a brown bear waltzing across our veggie garden.

quote:

Originally posted by mid life traveller:
We didn't see a single bear while in Alaska, came home looked out into our back yard and lo and behold there was a brown bear waltzing across our veggie garden.

Do you live out in the wilds, MLT, or do the bears come into urban areas?? This isn't a tall tale, is it?

(I like the 'waltzing', btw - what very cultured bears you have in BC! )

I am not MLT, but we see footage of bears coming into suburban backyards in the autumn usually on TV every year.
I live 20 min from the city centre, and we have parks that are part of a wild life corridor, nearly every year there is black bear in one of these parks, many deer are close by and coyotes which can be dangerous near small children and pets. Cougars have also been sighted.

Grizzly bears are usually in the wild and we very seldom see them, I have seen a few in the national parks, they are huge and extremely dangerous.

Some great info thanks to all. We leave for nearly 8 weeks in USA/Canada/Alaska 6 weeks tomorrow and I'm counting.
I will certainly book the optionals for the cruise. Looking forward to our TT East Coast and Canada have planned going on this for a few years now.
I have also checked the temperatures in Alaska just so I pack appropriately. Going for so long we will have to be pretty wise with the packing but can always buy if we don't have enough.

Aussiebird, have a great time, 8 weeks you lucky person. If there are any optionals on the cruise that you have your heart set on then get in early like I did, some not all have person limits. My brother and sister in law went to Canada and Alaska in August last year and said that although they took some summer clothes they never got to wear them. They reckon that their Summer is like our Winter (Queensland winter that is). Let us know about your trip when you return.

We will need our summer clothes for New Orleans, Kansas and Calafornia but interested in your comment about the lack of needing them in Alaska. Starting to get things ready for packing now. My usual lists are being prepared and added to daily.

Hi Aussiebird,

I was in Alaska in June, I found Alaska to be a bit damp and chilly, I normally wore a polofleece top over a t-shirt. The temperature can drop very quickly so keep a lightweight jacket with you.

You are going to be blown away with Glacier Bay it is so spectacular.

A little bit of advice, the self serve laundry on the ships (most ships have a laundry on each deck) become very busy. My friend and I went straight to the laundry (after 10 days on a coach tour) the minute we got on the ship, we had all our washing and ironing done and put away before the ship sailed, by 6pm there was a line up. So the early bird catches the worm.

quote:

Do you live out in the wilds, MLT, or do the bears come into urban areas?? This isn't a tall tale, is it?

Not a tall tale Mallee. We actually took pictures of it as it waltzed across the vegetable garden. Sorry for the delay in replying, have been very busy lately and barely glancing at the board.

Actually I live in a suburb of Vancouver and no it is not in the wilds.

A word of warning about the west coast. It has been wet and cool. We are all starting to wonder if it is January rather than June. The weatherman keeps saying summer is coming but we haven't seen any yet.

MLT ~ For the last two years Vancouver had a warm spell mid May, it didn't eventuate this year.

Thanks Missie for the info on the laundry. Wow all washed and ironed before the ship left port. You are efficient. Hopefully we will be organised with some time before in Anaheim to relax and do laundry.
Sounds like the warm clothes may be needed. I was looking forward to trading our winter for some nice warmth while we were there so hope it warms up a little bit for us.

Hi Aussiebird,

I am sure the temperatures will be warmer in July plus you will have almost 24 hours of daylight, that takes a bit of getting used too.

Your whole trip sounds fantastic, a trip of a lifetime, I will be very interested to hear all about it when you get back.

Hi Aussiebird
We have just arrived back (2 weeks) from the Alaskan Cruise aboard the Holland America's Ms Oosterdam. If you are cruising on this ship there is a laundry service for $US60.approx. for the 7 days.The washing is collected and returned to your room. Book this service at the front desk-limited numbers.
David

quote:

Originally posted by David 1:
Hi Aussiebird
We have just arrived back (2 weeks) from the Alaskan Cruise aboard the Holland America's Ms Oosterdam. If you are cruising on this ship there is a laundry service for $US60.approx. for the 7 days.The washing is collected and returned to your room. Book this service at the front desk-limited numbers.
David

Hi David,

Welcome home I hope you had a spectacular time, will you write a tour tale?