Alaska ~ part ten (day at sea and Vancouver)

I'm going to combine the last two days because there aren't as many photos - and it's time to get back to regular days type of blogging!

So our last day on the ship was a cruise day. We simply relaxed, packed, and enjoyed the views as the ship headed back toward Vancouver.



It was perfect cozy type weather. Much too cold to swim on deck.



We loved hanging out on the lawn.







What seemed like a plain day back then - when I think about it, it was still pretty spectacular. We saw more humpback whales out of our balcony. And (boo hoo) all I got was their splash. They are so not photogenic!





We passed by towns that looked like this - I love picturing life in a small town - out in Alaska - and it always warms my heart when I see a church in the middle of town.



We had dinner that night, went to bed, and woke up in Vancouver. After a lovely breakfast on the ship in the main dining room we disembarked. I was really really sad - not at all ready to head home as I usually am at the end of a vacation.

But Vancouver cheered me up. We had a whole day there since disembarkment was at 9:30 AM and our flight didn't leave until 10:30 PM.

We were blessed that the hotel we stayed at (before the cruise) would hold our bags for us so that we could explore and enjoy Vancouver. And we loved our day!



We discovered such yummy food for lunch!



Crepes for Anna and I



And a vegan, whole foods type grocery store that made a soup Abigail wasn't allergic to for Scott and Abigail.







I knew that I'd miss being able to wash my sunscreen face that night since our flight left at 10:30 and I hate having anything on my face when I sleep at night so the girls and I didn't wear sunscreen - hats instead for us - no make up for me! I was so prepared for this night flight that I packed cozy PJs for the girls and sweats for me to wear on the plane - we changed at the airport right before the flight.



We took a taxi to the beautiful Stanley Park that afternoon.

If you ever happen to go to Vancouver (and we highly recommend it) please don't miss Stanley Park!







And then (sigh) we ended back where we started all of those days before - we had dinner outside at our hotel and took in the views one last time.



No one wanted to leave.



But our ship had already re boarded with another group and was headed back to Alaska. It was another families turn for magic.





And we headed home. Flew all night into Boston and got home to our CT house just before lunch the next day.

Since then we've been soaking in chill time for the past 3 weeks - we are so grateful to have been able to see part of God's creation and to have spent all of those days together.

Sigh again - I feel sad it is over - the summer vacation of 16 and 12 is gone. Thank goodness for the memories that fill my heart.