October 3, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Seattle

Orange and gold tinges

Pine forests

Fast traffic

The Needle off in distance

Blue sky, no rain, cool

October 3, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Transporting to Another World

 

From being fed a bountiful supply

To cooking three meals a day.

From having someone clean for me,

To doing housework every day.

From handwriting in my journal

To working on my computer.

From a gentle rocking ship

to a sleepy small town.

From fun with Sis

To life with Hubby.

From new spaces, faces, and activities

To same places, people and tasks.

From adventure

To routine.

From no pressure to do anything,

To a long to-do list.

Thankful for both worlds.

October 2, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Last Excursion

 

After being on sea all day,

Victoria was our next stop.

We rode on a horse-drawn trolley

And we didn’t take time to shop.

 

The horses obeyed voice commands.

In dark of night, we rode through town.

The driver told us lots of tales

Of how their history went down.

 

We packed, for this was our last day.

And we were saddened by the thought.

We would be going home to stay,

Except our Egypt tour’s been bought.

October 1, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Ketchikan Excursion

 

I’ve been to Ketchikan before,

Just a few years ago.

A bit colder this time around,

I’m glad there was no snow.

 

I wore a jacket, hat, and gloves.

We rode a raft-like boat.

The motor made it go so fast

To island quite remote.

 

We cast aside life jackets then

And hiked into the woods.

It was a little warmer there.

We also took off hoods.

 

The guide told us of Hemlock trees

That were so very old.

He showed us slimy off-green slugs,

“Banana slugs” we’re told.

 

He told us how natives in past

Would use mushrooms and roots.

We saw two hungry ravens.

They acted in cahoots.

 

After our hike concluded then

We had delicious snacks.

The ravens both took chances when

We had all turned our backs.

 

The scenery was beautiful

Blue sky, thick clouds and trees.

And then I shopped for souvenirs.

I spend a lot with ease.

 

Back on the ship we ate our fill

Played Splendor, took a nap.

Next day would be a sailing day,

A time for us to pack.

October 1, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Entering Ketchikan

 

A secluded cove.

A pine-covered hill.

A large white cross.

Still waters.

Lights in the distance.

Small fishing boat out to sea.

Adventure awaits.

September 30, 2026, Alaska Trip

 

Observing in the Observation Lounge

 

Sun shone through the large window.

A Japanese lady did Tai Chi.

 

Others were reading, eating, chatting or

watching the gentle movement of the sea.

 

I enjoyed hot tea and cookies.

I stared out the window.

 

The sun sparkled on the gray ripples

which stretched out to a gray horizon.

 

Waiters stood ready to clean up

the messes guests left behind.

 

We learned if you want to keep your plate,

hang on to it or it would be swooped up.

 

Somewhere further forward, soft tunes played.

These moments made me feel truly blessed.

 

 

September 30, 2026, Poetic Asides Purpose

 

Hope in the Grand Design

 

The rainbow shone like a spotlight

on the gray ripples of the sea.

The mountains loomed

like sleeping monsters.

The gray clouds hovered above me.

 

The hope of the rainbow overpowered

the seriousness of the mountains

and the gloominess of the clouds and sea,

and I desired to shine and cheer

through the grayness like the rainbow.

 

But mountains, clouds, and sea

are part of the grand design.

So, when I’m not shining and cheerful,

but serious, or even gloomy,

I know I still have a purpose.