THRU 5/16 IN KETCHICAN, ALASKA

Then onward.... we went to several parks. In northern California, there are several state parks and a federal park. These parks are protecting the coastal redwoods. These trees are different from the Sequoias in central California. These trees are not as wide, but they are taller. They grow as high as 400 feet. The tallest tree keeps changing. The tops break off and other trees keep growing and man keeps discovering taller trees. They are also learning better methods of measuring the height of the trees. We learned that the method they use now is to either climb the tree and drop a plumbbob, or get a measurement by climbing a neighboring tree. They only go to this much trouble if they think the tree might be a record breaker. We took a small dirt road thru the Stoat Grove in Jedidiah Smith State Park. The groves of trees there were thicker and each tree seemed bigger than we had previously seen. It was impossible for our pictures to show the size and height and density of the trees and the forest. It was really impressive.

There were several herds of elk in the parks. We were lucky enough to see some. This one decided to pose for us.

Springtime has sprung up in the northwest. We have seen flowers of every kind and color.

There truly is no way to capture in pictures the trees and the forest. Yes there is a difference,

One of many rivers we have seen.

This is the roots of one of the fallen giants. Remember, these are smaller than Sequoias. Wow!

One tree splintered. Don't know why, but there was a huge pile of splintered wood near this tree. Can't imagine what caused it. Any ideas?

When we stopped to see use the wc, we had a visitor at our car. We both noticed the Stellars Jay sitting on the open door window. We were both very quiet, not to scare it away. We wasted our time. Nothing was going to scare this bird. He hopped down into the car and found himself a peanut. We should have let him clean out the whole car, but we were concerned that he might leave us a present. He didn't. We got some nuts from our stash and he happily landed on Arleen's hand to be fed. A family was returning to their car and we showed them how to feed our friend. Even tho they did everything wrong, to start, nothing scared this "hungry" bird away. We couldn't believe he was still hungry.

We spent the nite at Grants Pass in Oregon at a motel 6, quite a difference from the nite before.

Onward and upward, if north is up. We drove around Portland, to keep away from as much traffic as possible and on to the Lucky Eagle Casino we heard about at KFC. Isn't that were everyone goes for travel info. The young lady who worked behind the counter used her cell to google a casino on our way north. A customer assisted with travel tips. That is one of the best parts of trabvelling, the people we meet along the way. Anyway, the casino had a hotel attached and we were hoping to stay over, but all that was available was the executive sweet for about $300 and I didn't think I could win that much, but I tried. I made a little. So we drove back an exit on the I-5 and stayed there.

Next day we drove on to Seattle. But....we were too close and would arrive too early, so guess where were stopped for an hour??????RIGHT..Emeral Green Casino, a hugh place in Tacoma, Washington. I won $30 there. (don't get excited..I'm sure this money will just be a starting stake for the ship)

We arrived at Gisela and Wolfie's house in the early afternoon. Another lovely home that was made open to us. People are great. We spent 2 nites with them. After a lovely dinner and evening of conversation where we learned much about life in Germany and Austria during WWII and after, the Russian occupation. It seems that we were not taught about a lot of history happening over there. We were inthralled by their stories. The next day we were taken to see there property on Whidbey Island. Gisela has 5 green thumbs on each hand. Here home and here weekend property are botanical gardens. We had a wonderful time. They dropped us at the port and away we went after wishing them a wonderful trip, since they are going to Germany in a couple of days.

We had no trouble boarding the ship, no lines, right on. Unpacked our stuff, had dinner, saw the show and collapsed. We are still recovering from all the travels. We have a day at sea and we will use it to the fullest to rest.

Today, May 16th we arrived at Ketchican, were we rode the local bus around the area to a totem pole park, and Walmart and to forest service information center. It was raining, not a surprise, but just a little. It was a pleasant day for us since we had been here before and seen quite a bit then. It is a small touristy town with an old part on a boardwalk and shops. Did see our first Alaskan bald eagle (we saw one in Seattle, not counting the ones we see at home) So tomorrow we go to try and see Glacier Bay. Last trip we didn't get to see it. More about that next time.

Sorry it took so long to catch up, but now we are all caught up and will try to keep it that way (with luck) Hope all is well with you all. We are having a great time.