Alaska Cruise: Day 5 & 6 - Endicott Arm, Juneau & Cruising

    Day 5 saw us attempting the trip into see the glaciers within Endicott Arm - only to receive our second disappointment of the trip when the boat had to turn around prior to reaching the glacier due to the amount of ice in the water.  We are thankful that the safe choice was made, but disappointed that the kids weren't able to see the glacier up close -- we did see some ice chunks in the water as we cruised though.  The timing of being in the glacier area was super early in the morning, so the kids actually were sleeping as we didn't wake them in light of having to turn around anyway.  Karis roamed the ship and Amy stayed in the cabin (just can't get comfortable with no parent being in the room with Addison at her age) -- so Amy tucked herself into the space between the blackout curtains and balcony door so that she could see outside without waking Addison up - it worked pretty well!

Pictures from the window of the ice bergs in the water

While grey and cloudy, it was pretty to see the sun shining through in the distance

After leaving the Endicott Arm area, the ship headed over to Juneau.  Juneau was where we received the biggest disappointment of all - the one thing that Amy and Karis had regretted not doing when we went to Alaska the first time, and the one thing that Addison really said was her top wish list item -- was to take a helicopter ride onto a glacier and ride in a dog sled.  We booked the trip, super excited about it, and when we arrived in Juneau the rain and cloud cover was too dense to allow us to go.  The rain was intense for about an hour (reminded us of home!) but then we were able to don a few rain ponchos and head around town to explore.  

We took the Mt Roberts tram up to the top, and it was a lovely view -- with still areas with snow up there!  While we were there we saw a couple get engaged, so that was exciting to see their joy from afar.  

We made it to the top of the Mt Roberts

Jennifer, Amy and Sheri overlooking to valley - pretty views

Addison is the small pink speck on the left hand side climbing up the snow

It was cold enough that Amy was wearing gloves!

After we went down, we headed over to the Mendenhall glacier so that at least we could see that famous site--- and be able to say that we saw a glacier!  Our larger group had gone directly there earlier, but becuase of our helicopter ride we had to hang around town until it was definitively cancelled around 4P, and then we hopped on a tour bus and went on out, as the rest of our friends were just finishing up and heading back to town -- like two ships passing in the night!

Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center

The glacier from a distance

All of the cracks and blue color is very interesting

We hiked out to Nugget Falls, which is a thundering waterfall about a mile away from the visitor center- it was a nice easy hike.

That was a lot of thundering water behind us!

The Bergherms, Bond and Z families

We lingered out by the falls for a while as there was a large sand bar out there where the kids could throw rocks into the water and run around, which was nice to have them playing and not on their electronics!

The lake behind her

Speaking of electronics.....

A small babbling brook as we walked back to the visitor center - Kaleb, Amy and Jennifer

When we got back to the visitor center a few went to the bathroom and Addison found something to climb - she does love to climb!

After Juneau, the next day was a cruising day - we spent a lot of time around the i-fly area, as well as inside the rec center and pool area!

Jackson and Kaleb playing in the soccer area after dinner

While Zach and Blake played basketball

And the littles played foosball!

And some cornhole

Did we mention that there was a LOT of time in the hot tub!?

Kaleb doing the i-Fly for the second time

Addison was addicted to the iFly experience - she wanted to go every day!

Blake and Zach waiting for the basketball to be open

While the littles waited in the bumper car seats for their next activity

Even the adults used the bumper cars as extra seating (Allen, Tangie and Maria)

There were various stretching and exercise classes available on the ship as well, and the moms would try and go to them as a fun activity on board.

Stretching and bonding!

One of the fun activities that we did on the ship was to participate in a postcard exchange with other participating cabins.  We bought Florida postcards, wrote a short note on the back, and then delivered them to the various cabins.  We delivered them with Blake H and London, and the kids had run exploring the ship and finding each cabin.  The moms trailing behind (Amy and Tracy) had to quick-step it to keep up with them! 😂

Showing off our Florida special postcards

putting them into the little cabin "mailboxes"

Waiting in the hallway for us slow moms to catch up!

It was a fun cruise in that we were able to make new friends and connect with long-time friends.  Amy and Maria were best friends in college at Andrews, so it has been so fun to catch up with her - we found some time on the ship to sit down and visit for a while to catch up. 

Love you Maria!