Alaskan Cruise: Day 5

July 3 

  Today was Icy Point Straight. Eventually, I got over mentally arguing with its grammar: a point is land but a straight is water but decided to stop the pondering. Sometimes, even I think my brain’s a wanker.

  IPS is an island that… As far as I can tell, we tourists stopped there because there were tourist attractions; which were built to bring in tourists. A bit of snake eating its own tail. Very mythological.

  There was a cannery on the other side of the island but I think it’s been converted into shops and restaurants. 

  We disembarked midmorning. We had purchased an all day pass to the gondola up to the top of the island and wanted to get our money’s worth. 

  You know that feeling when you’re on a trip and you strongly suspect you’ve forgotten something? Yeah, that’s was me immediately after stepping off the boat. Yeah, that was me. What was it? 

   Once we got to the gondola base; it came to me. 

   I fucking hate gondola rides. 

   Not the boat kind but the ones hundreds of feet up in even a mild breeze. 

  According to the photos, it was a lovely view. 

     We we got up top, it really was nice. There was a lovely trail: very relaxing. 

   Didn’t see any bears but that just proves they are a particularly devious species.    

   Fortunately, the park staff were on patrol. 

  Again, very calming. I wasn’t too worried. The trail was pretty crowded and I remembered Mr. Steed’s wise words about not having to outrun the bear…

Yet another warning that death is ever present. 

   It really was gorgeous up there; we took scads of non-“You’re probably  gonna die” photos. Wendi also took the opportunity to pick up several interesting rocks. And snuck them onto the ship. 

  Way to stick to The Man, Sweetie!! Nobody suspects the short woman of such deviancy. Me? I practically stripped down to the skivvies to go through the pier security. 

  (Sorry ladies. No photos. 

          Or ARE there?!?)

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Exhibit A.

    After returning, we lounged around till dinner at a steak house. Which was excellent. 

  We’d planned on going to the 80s Party at the Insane Time of 9:30 but we poopped out and went to bed. Like most GenX’ers would. 

   Last note on Day 5. After D4’s kind comments from wearing my USCG ball cap, I decided to wear my Kodiak hoodie. However, as it was under my jacket for most of the day, nobody commented on it.   

   Too bad as I really hoping to explain the I served there Thirty-Five Year Ago. And still rocking it. Okay, truth be told,the diameter of my skull seems to have doubled since the late 80s. 

   Or, more likely, the fabric had stretched out . 

    I know I have.

Goodnight.