We will be taking our first RV camping trip, with Radeen's family, out west as we explore the National Parks of Colorado and Utah. We will be using Mark and Tammy's 31 foot RV and following Punkie and Shane (Radeen's sister and brother-in-law) with their own rig. This will be our first RV trip, and we hope to learn a lot about running an RV. We imagine it is very similar to boating which is why they are sometimes called a "Land Yacht."
Here is the planned route and stops where we will spend 2-3 days at each location.
Alaska, the Last Frontier is one of the most beautiful places on earth. We joined Radeen's family, and together we celebrated our 35th and Lee and Judi's 50th anniversary along with their children, Darren and Tanya. We boarded the cruise ship, Celebrity Solstice, in Seattle Washington and enjoyed a 7 day cruise to Ketchikan and Juneau and then sadly the captain diverted away from Skagway due to a 50 mph gale storm. Our final port of call was Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. From there we sailed back to Seattle. The voyage into the TRACY ARM FJORD will remain the most beautiful place we have ever seen. Hands down, it is breathtaking, nothing like we had even imagined!
I shot 1,700 photos, the best 100 photos are in this slideshow providing 5 minutes of enjoyment. :-) When playing the YouTube, maximize the video for best viewing. Enjoy.
----- If you are short on time, then below are the seven best photos....of 1,700 -----
Click the image for a larger view.
Ice floats past the cruise ship in Tracy Arm Fjord
Tracy Arm Fjord, one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Radeen takes Hayden taking a photograph, very cool.
Photo-Boy at work
Radeen in the Fjord, brrrrrr, it is cold
The views are so beautiful
Sisters Creek in Ketchikan, Alaska
Lee, Judi, Hayden
Tanya, Darren, Radeen
We clean up well, formal night on the cruise ship
Thank you all for following along with our travel adventures. Please leave us a comment or send us an email, or message us on FB. We really enjoy hearing from you all.
Next up.....Arizona family visit, then off to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and back to Arizona as we try out Mark and Tammy's RV for a family camping trip for 3 weeks!
We arrived back at our home dock, in Rock Hall, MD and there we serviced the boat with fluid changes, compounding and waxing, cleaning the hull, and varnishing the teak. After sailing a few weekends with friends, we hauled the boat out at Haven Harbour Marina and headed to PA for a summer break off the boat.
At home, we returned to working on our new master bathroom which we started last summer. This year, we selected the tile, accent stripe and finished the room. We are enjoying being home, seeing friends and catching up on what everyone has been doing. We especially enjoy visiting our neighbor, Donn, and his adorable mom, Flossie, who both are so kind and helpful. Donn maintains the most beautiful flowers and landscaping beds. It is a joy to see this right across the street from our house. Here are some photos of this wonderful summer of 2015!
Radeen reflects on our 4th year of Bahama Cruising
At home, we returned to work on the new master bath
The sundial on our deck, mounted there 30 years ago!
Gail and Freddie joined us for July 4th
Gail and Radeen heading to Annapolis, MD
Freddie and Gail on "The Yacht"
Island Spirit decorated for the 4th of July in Annapolis, MD for
the Naval Academy Band and fabulous fireworks
The required Chick and Ruth's Delly
Gail and Freddie in the photo alley, Annapolis, MD
Radeen waxing the boat
At home, Jim and Gail, our Bahama Buddies, stop in for a visit
Wendy on the bow as we sail for Annapolis, MD
Craig at the helm, giving an upwind tacking demo to a Beneteau
Radeen and Wendy sailing into Annapolis, MD
We made it! The Bay Crossing celebration, Annapolis, MD
Our live music program is run by Craig and "The Band" very fun!
I really like this photo alley, here are Wendy and Craig
St, Michael's is also a great town, let's sail there.
Fireworks for a wedding made for a memorable night!
St. Michael's flower gardens are beautiful
Team Selfie required, Craig and Wendy
Back to that master bathroom again, sealing the concrete board
Travertine tile and the stone accent stripe
Back to the boat for our 35th wedding anniversary
More waxing and varnishing, our 35th wedding present, a beautifully maintained yacht
Back home, Diane and Gene share a BBQ with us and catch up
Ahh, the grout is finished, looking good
The overall look worked out. The black stripe picks up the black granite tops.
Anita and Mark and family stopped over for a cookout. Sooooo much fun
One last sail of the summer to try out our new main sail (a generous gift from a fellow IP 35 owner)
WOW, thank you, Richard! This is beautiful!
Radeen, trimming the jib, or maybe sleeping. She loves to sail
Sailing across the bay, testing out the new main sail
Back to more varnishing, we use this product
One more service coat on the entire boat, she is ready for a summer rest
Empty the refrigerator, clean out the boat
Take off the jib and stay sails
Decommission the dinghy, engine and fuel tanks
Turn over the boat to the marina. Here comes the haul out crane, we are going home
Island Spirit takes a summer break until Oct 1, 2015
(photo credit Jane of IP-420 Tumbleweed, formerly IP380 Memphis Belle)
My student, David, and wife, Candace, introduced us to Mackenzie, fun fun fun!
Radeen enjoying 14 month old Mackenzie
Hayden, Radeen, David, Mackenzie and Candace
Hayden and Radeen :-)
Concert Buddies, Dr. Chris, Cindi 20/20, Maria and P.J.
O.A.R. plays the song, I feel Home, What a great band.