Monday, July 11, 2016

I Left my Heart in Alaska

Yes, I am still here.  Life stuff took hold of my mind and body for a while, but I have recalibrated some things and I am slowly working my way back.  I have been quite busy.  Most of it to do with the quilting world.  Most recently, I traveled to Alaska via cruise ship.  It was one of the most breathtaking adventures of my life time.  It was a quilter's dream come true.  While at sea, we took classes with Gyleen Fitzgerald, Jeanette Walton, Sue Nickels and Laura Wasilowski.  We visited the ports of Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia.   We sailed into Glacier Bay, visited the Raptor Center and saw bald eagles, totem poles (amazing)  endless mountains (no bears, but that was fine with me) and quilt shops.  Yes, there were quilt shops in every port and we had plenty to choose from and to buy if we were so inclined.  I met up with friends that I had made through my limited knowledge of social media and we didn't know we were going to be traveling together.  So, it was a delight to meet up with Jeanette Walton and Dee Huffman,  Donna Swinborne from Australia and so many more.   I am sharing a few pictures.  But, you know me and picture taking.  I had a camera around my neck and my I-phone in my pocket, but I was so awestruck with the breathtaking beauty of this place, that I only snapped 7 pictures.  Dee Huffman helped me out, with a few photos.  However, this trip was the best thing I could have done for myself. Good friends and camaraderie, awesome food, more entertainment than you could ever experience in 7 days and did I say quilt shops in every port.  Did I buy something in every port?  Yes, yes I did.  Abby's Reflections in Sitka and Satin Moon on Victoria Island were my favorites and held onto my credit card a little longer than the others.  We also visited Changing Tides quilt shop in Juneau and the Whale's Tail in Ketchikan.  All wonderful and well stocked shops.  The Janome dealer who supplied the sewing machines on board the ship for our classes did pretty well too.  I bought a couple of goodies from them as well. 

Here are few photos to share...






Port of Seattle
 


Downtown Juneau



Downtown Ketchikan
 
Sitka the Bald Eagle

Oldest Church in Sitka



Best table in the House. Overlooking the Wake of the Ship









Buy one - get one free! So I did!

Glacier Bay!