Anniversary Adventure

Today is our 26th Wedding 🥂 Anniversary and, while we'll celebrate with dinner at a local restaurant, we treated ourselves early with a 12-day Alaska Discovery land and sea adventure. This post is a brief recap (more to follow).

Since arriving home at 3 am on Monday, we've been catching-up at home in Nashua, NH. It's true that travel is full of wonderful experiences and anyone who has traveled knows, returning to everyday life takes a few days of re-adjustment. 

There was no blog posting, reading or commenting during this trip. We skipped the onboard wi-fi package which our tour guide advised was erratic and not worth the high cost. (If one person in a stateroom wanted service, everyone sharing the room had to buy it.) So, we went unconnected, aside from texts to family when in port. The free Holland America Navigator app was used to keep in contact with the tour leader and fellow travelers. 

We flew Alaska Airline from Boston to Fairbanks, AK

This trip was organized through the senior center we're members of in Hudson, NH, using the same New England-based tour company (Collette) that we travelled with for a UK trip in 2023 UK. Some former travelers on that trip also were on this one.

The largest U.S. state by area, Alaska is nicknamed The Last Frontier due to its huge unexplored wilderness and remote nature. It's one of the least densely populated states and many areas remain untouched by modern development.

Some of the sights in Denali National Park on a Tundra Wilderness Tour

We traveled in a converted school bus through just a part of Alaska’s interior wilderness in the 6-million acre Denali National Park and Preserve. The school buses are used over motor coaches because they are better-suited for the park's gravel road and dusty conditions and are more durable. The use of these buses, not private vehicles, limits vehicles on the road and helps protect the park's environment.

This ex-school bus was our mode of transport in Denali National Park 

We managed to get a view of the park's centerpiece called Denali (the Great One, formerly Mt McKinley) which, at 20,310-feet is North America’s tallest peak. Not only did we see our first-ever moose, but other wildlife, including Dall sheep, grizzly bears and caribou, nearly all were quite a safe distance away.

Our next mode of transportation, after the school bus excursion, was on board a domed railcar as we traveled from Talkeetna to Anchorage, AK. Seating was very comfortable, which was much appreciated for this over 5-hour trip.

Window views from the the domed train car

As you can see, the views along this train ride were vastly different than those in Denali Park on the previous day. The daytime temperatures during most of our travels were in the 70s, much cooler than the 90s left behind in Nashua, NH.

Anna, a naturalist intern, boarded the motor coach to talk about the AWCC

After an overnight stay in Anchorage, we traveled by motor coach to the port of Whittier, AK, stopping enroute at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) where many injured wildlife are cared for in a 200-acre outdoor rehabilitation site. We learned that most of these animals including bald eagles, black and brown bears, coyotes, deer, elk, reindeer, moose, foxes, muskox become permanent residents. 

This building houses most of the population of Whittier, AK

In Whittier, AK, about 90% of the town's 250 plus population live in a 14-story building, Begich Towers Condominium, which houses the police department, post office, convenience store, medical clinic, grocery store and laundromat as well as space for worship services. A school is connected to the building by a tunnel. 

The remainder of the town's residents live in nearby buildings. Because of this very unique living arrangement, Whittier is known as the town under one roof. Originally built by the military during the Cold War, the building was later taken over by the Alaska Railroad, which owns most of the inhabitable land in Whittier. 

The Holland America Noordam in the port of Whitier

The MS (motor ship) Noordam, part of the Holland America line of Vista-class ships, is named for the Northern compass point. All the ships in this line are named after a compass point, noord means north in Dutch. This ship is the fourth vessel with the same name and was christened in NYC in February 2006. (Vista-class refers to a specific cruise ship design characterized by features like more ocean views and verandas and a slightly smaller size. Noordam hosts a crew size of 800 with a 1,916 passenger capacity.)

Nightly shows were on the World Stage and in several lounges

There was no shortage of entertainment and dining options on board the cruise ship, all of which were included in the cruise package. Comedy, magic and dance shows were presented in the main theater; the Billboard and Rolling Stone lounges featured nightly music performances.

Food choices were available in the buffet-style Lido Market and two Dining Rooms

As this was my first cruise, I was thankful for not getting sea-sick having used both anti-nausea tablets and sea-bands as a precaution. Several fellow travelers were not as fortunate especially during one day of rough seas.

Some of the captive wildlife that was available for purchase in the cruise ship's gift shop. We did see their live counterparts on the trip.

Our final mode of transpot and travel friends, Jan & Bob

After 7 days on the Noordam, our anniversary adventure ended in Vancouver, Canada. The long trip home was by way of two flights, the first landing in Seattle and the second ending in Boston, MA. Overall, this trip was a memorable anniversary experience. As always, our adventures will be continued in future posts.

Thanks, as always, for your comments and well wishes beforehand. A lot has been happening in the blog world during our time away. Unfortunately, several bloggers have been dealing with serious health problems/other issues, involving themselves, spouses or family. While they are not listed here, many of you may already have read recent posts. Their blog names are included on my side bar. 

Friday Funnies

It seems there's no escaping the preponderance of vanity plates here, either on the roadways or in parking lots. This group was collected over the past few weeks around Nashua, NH.

Love was the theme that was prominent in these plates.

Here's one for pet lovers.

These two plates seem to provide a question followed by an answer.

Here's a question with no answer provided.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

We will be doing the same on our travels

De-Bridging in Nashua

We will be traveling by the time this update is posted about local goings on and there has been quite a lot of projects in the City of Nashua, NH, especially near the Clocktower mill apartments.

This is what greeted us earlier this week as we sat by the window enjoying breakfast. It wasn't an everyday sight for sure. Can you figure out what this is? 

Here's a couple of views showing exactly we saw at the window — Yes, a large crane.

Piling were driven into the river bed to check how far down to the river bottom. This project is  being done to replace the wooden bridge seen in the above lower left photo and below.

The bridge is behind the mill apartments and the City of Nashua is coordinating the work which is necessary as the wood is deteriorating. Years ago when the former mill, Nashua Manufacturing Company, was in operation the area below the bridge was an outflow for the water that powered the mill. Today, the bridge receives heavy regular usage from recycling and trash removal trucks, seasonal plows and auto traffic, all of which place more stress on the old wooden timbers. 

Work started earlier this week and it has been interesting to look down and check the progress of the workmen. We have a direct view of the bridge from our apartment windows.

This mother Mallard led her seven ducklings away from the river construction site. This was the first Mallard family we've seen on the river this summer. 

However, we have seen many families of Canada Geese this summer in various stages of growth.

There's been a lot of crane activity around the mill neighborhood. A couple of months ago these cranes were used for renovations in Le Parc De Notre Renaissance Français, the small pocket park that's adjacent to the mill apartments on Water St.

In recent weeks, the cranes have left and this photo shows the current state of renovations at the park. The building with the curved roof seen above in front of Clocktower Place will serve as an outdoor amphitheater for musical concerts and other events. The built-in seating that surrounds it is all concrete and bring-your-own seat pads and/or blankets will be needed for comfortable seating.

There's another small park area being developed along Main Street. The top half of the above collage is an architectural image of how the area below is expected to look once renovations are done. The white arrow points to a walkway that will lead from the pocket park.

When completed, the walkway will continue alongside a Main Street restaurant and become an extension of what is called the river walk. According to local officials, the park projects are anticipated to be done by year end.

Unfortunately we will miss watching the progress of these projects for the next 12 days. That's because by the time this is posted, we will be far away in — Alaska. This land-sea cruise (my first) is a pre-celebration of our 🥂 anniversary later this month. As we opted to skip the very costly onboard wi-fi package, posts about our adventures will likely be delayed until our return.

Friday Funnies

Welcome to a brand new month, everyone, and no comments about how fast 2025 has been zipping by. I'm sure many of you are wondering the same. Enough said.

This week's photo fun is all about signs. The first two were taken in downtown Nashua, NH. The last one was taken at a beach area, just can't recall the location.

Breakfast served all day as long as your day ends at 2 pm, which is when this restaurant closes.

Why is the "Y" left on its own ? There was enough room on the line above.

Seems like no one notified the gulls of the pole rules.

Thanks to everyone for your comments on last week's Friday Funnies photo puns. Glad to read that you enjoyed the results as much as I did putting it together. Now, to start on the next collection of photos 😏

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Temps will drop into the tolerable 70s 🆒 in Nashua, NH