Alaskan Cruise (Port 1: Ketchikan)

Alaska. Where do I even start. I fell in love with Alaska, or at least the parts we saw on the cruise. I could totally see myself living there, but I don't think I could ever move that far away from family. It was so beautiful and different from anywhere I have been before. Jordan and I have already talked about wanting to go back there again someday and visit some different parts of Alaska that we didn't get to see on the cruise. 

The cruise though... The first day was interesting to say the least. I get motion sickness and so do some of my family. So we were pretty lazy and trying to get used to cursing on the ocean. But for anyone else who gets motion sickness sea bands and essential oils helped me. I felt so much better by the second day. Cruises have so much to offer on the boat it was crazy how big it was and how much was on the ship. I couldn't believe all the amenities. There was even a real grass lawn on the ship! I am so glad I got used to cursing by the second day so I could enjoy all the ship had to offer.

The first day was a sea day. Second day we arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska. Ketchikan was one of my favorites it was so pretty to wake up to that second morning. 

The first day, boarding the cruise ship!

Ketchikan, Alaska. The sight we woke up to the second morning at port.

My cousin Samuel and my Grandpa getting ready for our Bering Sea Crab Fishing excursion. We were on board the Aleutian Ballad which is featured on the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch.

My cousin Jeremiah, Samuel, and my Grandpa.

My Aunt Laura, Uncle Nathan, and cousin Erica.

One of the guides on our excursion. He has crabbed fished on the deadly Bering Sea. 

Cutting up the bait for the crab hooks.

Reeling in the crabs.

While we were out on the tour, we saw some real fishermen catching some salmon.

This was by far my favorite excursion we did on the whole vacation. It was so much fun! Next blog post will have our second port Juneau, Alaska and the Tracy Arm Fjords. :) Also if you missed my pervious blog post about Seattle there click here. 

Seattle (Part 1 of Family Vacation 2014)

I finally have gotten around to editing pictures from my family's vacation. For the first three days of vacation my family and I have been visiting Seattle, Washington. I love the uniqueness of the Pike Place Market and west Seattle (which is where we mainly stayed). We chose Seattle as apart of our family vacation this year, because we board our cruise ship here for an Alaskan Cruise. We got the city pass for Seattle, which I would totally recommend to anyone going there because it gets you into all the biggest attractions and deals of some of the other ones, (side note: we also did that when we went to New York and it pays for itself within the first attraction). 

I always love going to new places on vacation because then I get to learn about different parts of the country and learn about the culture. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I love that I get to do it with my family and Jordan. 

Here are some pictures from the Seattle part of the vacation. :)

(iPhone Photos)

All the cousins together for a picture after we landed! 

Mom and I on the Great Wheel of Seattle

The very FIRST Starbucks! 

If I lived here, I would be down here everyday buying fresh food! Yum! 

More pictures from the very first Starbucks!

My Aunt and Uncle! 

More fresh food! I loved that about Seattle! 

Glass Museum! One of my favorite things in Seattle!

My family and I loved Seattle, we did though miss the sun haha. It would be fun to go back to Seattle and travel up the coast a little. Since we were only there for three days we didn't rent a car since we knew there was so much to see by where we were staying. If I had to choose my top three favorite things about Seattle I would say: 

1. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum 

2. The Public Market 

3. The first Starbucks :)