I think I could be dead and still wake up early.
My internal clock has me pegged as an earlier riser. No alarms set. I just wake up.
Today, Monday, June 30, 2025 is no different.
Overnight, our Holland American ship has been sailing the Inside Passage. On Tuesday, July 1, we are scheduled to arrive in Ketchikan, Alaska at 6:30 a.m. That will be our first port stop.
Today, all of our activities will be focused on what the ship offers.
Out on our balcony, I’m surprised at how close we appear to land. Scattered low clouds and a speck of color from the rising sun make for pretty scenery.
This morning, I’m going to the gym to workout. My goal is to ride a stationary bike and use some light weights.
With a couple of wrong turns, I make it to the gym. The equipment is nice and available for me to use. The room is equipped with good windows perfect for watching the water and the coastline.
After the workout, we gather for breakfast. The options are overwhelming. So, I keep it simple—oatmeal and the European spin on muesli. I love the muesli.
At some point after breakfast, we were notified that the Captain of the ship had made a navigational shift pushing the ship out into the open sea. Not sure of his reasoning, but he knows more about these waters than I do.
At some point, we lose the snips of fog and gray cloud cover for blue sky.
We took another stroll along deck three, and as the morning progressed we immersed ourselves in the following: a cooking demonstration, a stringed duo who perform on viola and cello, general knowledge trivia, stretch class, lectures about upcoming stops.
Had a hotdog for lunch. Then took it easy for a bit.
The guys regrouped and attended a beer tasting session. For the beer tasting, Peroni from Italy, Guinness from Ireland, and an amber ale and an IPA both from the Alaska Brewing Company in Juneau were featured. Butch, Dan, and I enjoyed the tasting and the comments from the staff.
Also in this afternoon rotation was a Dutch tea. There was quite an offering of food with this event.
After the tea, the remainder of the afternoon passed quickly. Before we knew it, we were working our way back to the dining room for dinner.
Stuffed from the dinner, for the remainder of the evening, we roamed around the ship.
We walked through the casino. This seems like a waste of space to me.
Music attracted us to a solo pianist and then a cover band. It was clear these musicians had a real passion for music.
At some point, our collective body clocks reminded us that sleep was important. Roaming stopped. Our rooms were calling. We said good night.
Before drifting off, I think about the Inside Passage.
This thousand mile route runs from the coast of Washington state to Skagway, Alaska.
By comparison, back home the Intracoastal Waterway runs from Massachusetts rounds the tip of Florida, and meanders along the Gulf of Mexico coastline ending in Brownsville, Texas.
Both the Inside Passage and the Intracoastal Waterway provide cruise and commercial ships, and pleasure boats some protection from the open ocean waters.
I wonder what the early explorers of the Inside Passage thought as they traversed these beautiful waters?
Did they think it would ever have an end point?
I wonder how tempted they were to pull ashore on any of the remote islands or coastlines on either side and explore.
As they progressed did they stare in amazement at a soaring eagle, the sighting of a whale, or a ginormous grizzly bear feasting on the shoreline?
I’m not sure, but I know my old eyes have enjoyed the stunning scenery today, and I look forward to more as we come into Ketchikan in the morning.
might be baloney 