May 30, 2006

Back for her 16th Trip!

Submitted by John Kreilkamp, Vice President of Alaska Operations.

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Yesterday my family got a treat.

Quyana Member, Ila G. arrived in Anchorage for her 16th cruise with Cruise West.   She has sailed on almost all of our cruises and Prince William Sound is her favorite (her 4th trip to this area). Each year, she celebrates her birthday by giving herself a cruise with Cruise West.   Because I had a previous engagement with my visiting family, I asked Andy Compton  to take her out to dinner but to bring her over for a glass of wine first.  He did and Ila delighted us all...she was in her prime....she held court over the gathering of my 12 relatives and they realized that they had met a rather significant person in history.

What makes her so special?  Ila is a nuclear physicist.  Not just any nuclear physicist but a pioneer physicist.  Beginning in 1948, she worked at the Los Alamos research lab and was there for 34 years...she witnessed several atom bomb detonations in the Nevada Desert, she knew Robert Oppenheimer.  She was one of the first women to work at the Los Alamos site in the post war development of the Bomb.  Ila is fairly unpretentious...she disdains those who thought their work was too important.  She recalled with a devilish wink when Oppenheimer went into a local restaurant with shorts on one day for lunch and the waitress, who noticed he was not wearing the required apparel refused to give him service....no slacks - no service.

Ila is celebrating her 82nd birthday with us on the Spirit of Columbia this weekend, she almost missed her cruise with us after last year's heart attack.  Her doctor advised her not to go...but she told him if she was going to go, she would rather have it be in front of a glacier in Prince William Sound.

The Sheraton Anchorage upgraded her to a Jr. suite and last night she thoroughly enjoyed her Copper River Salmon at her favorite restaurant in town.

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Posted by John Krielkamp on May 30, 2006
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May 25, 2006

The Truth About Nanaimo Bars

A scandal is unfolding in the world of layered sugary confections.  

The Nanaimo bar is a sweet, chocolaty treat long thought to have roots dating back to the mid 1800's in the coal mining colonialization of the Western British Columbia island of Nanaimo.  Allegedly, these bars were included in care packages from back home in the U.K. to the early settlers. A fascinating story with apparently no basis in fact.  

Instead, the rather pedestrian world of potlucks in the 1950's spawned the layered sugar bombs that have come to be known as Naniamo bars.  The Women’s Auxiliary to the Nanaimo Hospital was the first publisher of the recipe.  

I think I like the Coal Miner English-care-package story better.  Either way, the bars are as good now as... whenever they were invented.

Here's a note I got from David Hill-Turner, the great museum curator at the Naniamo District Museum, who uncovered the scandal for us and is setting the world's treat-lovers and historians straight. The Museum is located in Piper's Park and is a stop on our included tour.

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Mark Belanger is the Technology Program Manager for Cruise West- which means that anytime you see Cruise West represented out on the web or through email, Mark was in some way involved.  From time to time, he'll be unraveling the mysteries of the internet and how we use it to enhance our products and services to you.

Posted by Mark Belanger on May 25, 2006
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May 22, 2006

Nutrient Rich Waters of the Inside Passage

Submitted by Cruise West Exploration Leader, Peter Rumm

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One afternoon while on the Wilderness Inside Passage Itinerary, we were off the coast of Baranof Island near Red Bluff Bay. After five years of cruising and exploring this area I am still awestruck by the scene Mother Nature presents. We noticed a whale spout or two very close to shore, there were harbor porpoise feeding near the whales, as if that was not enough a pod of killer whales passed by. Salmon were jumping out of the water everywhere as if nature was providing an endless fountain of fish. The mountains behind this scene were snow capped and reached 4,500 feet straight up for from sea level. The scene could not have been have been dreamed up or perhaps only by the artist Wyland himself. But such scenes do exist and we soaked it up with the warm sun on our faces and we became lost in time transfixed by an abundance that was Eden like.

Why so much life in one place? Often our guests expect these deep dark cold waters to contain less life than other places they have visited such as Hawaii or the Caribbean. But nothing could be further from the truth. The cold waters we cruise through support some of the greatest varieties and abundance of marine life found anywhere in the world. We commonly see lions main jelly fish with diameters of about a foot or more, however they have been documented at 8 feet across with tentacles over a hundred feet long! The giant pacific octopus with a world record of 600 pounds, although they average 50-90 pounds are found in the waters of the Inside Passage. Often while exploring the intertidal zone we come across sea stars (star fish) the size of dinner plates and bigger! My friends and I found an 11-foot long squid, dead, on Cape Fanshaw one summer. And historically just off the coast of Alaska, the largest animal on the planet, the blue whale use to be frequently spotted, unfortunately due to poor stewardship and over hunting the sighting of blue whales in the gulf of Alaska are now fleeting and unconfirmed.

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Posted by Peter Rumm on May 22, 2006
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May 18, 2006

The Lust for Travel

Last Sunday's New York Times featured a great article by Susan Lehman, called Books That Triggered Writers' Wanderlust.   The article got us all thinking about what books have inspired our own travels.  When I worked aboard the Spirit of Alaska and later the Spirit of Columbia, I entertained myself with travel stories that pertained to the route I was assigned. 

One of my favorite books about the Inside Passage is a memoir written in 1927 by Wylie Blanchet, called The Curve of Time.  Wylie was widowed at age 37, with five children.   In spite of this (or maybe because of it) she spent every summer aboard their 25' boat, cruising the Inside Passage of British Columbia.  Having sailed these waters many times myself and realizing how remote they truly are, gave me a great appreciation for her adventurous spirit.  There was nothing tame about her experience!

My other favorite Northwest author is Nard Jones.   I'd categorize his work at historical fiction, that borders on what we would call pulp-fiction today.  Definately not politically correct, but an accurate portrayal of the attitudes and social issues of the Northwest and Columbia River during his time. He was also writing in the 30's.  All of his books are out of print, but can sometimes be found in used bookstores in our area and online at Powell's Bookstore. (No, I'm not getting paid by Powell's to plug them, I just happen to think they are the greatest bookstore in the world- put them on your "must-see" list if you ever visit Portland, OR.)

So- those are a few of the fun but, obscure authors who have inspired and entertained me.  Who are your favorite travel writers?  Which books have inspired you to drop everything and get on a plane -or boat?  What destinations are on your life list because of their influence?

Post a comment and share your favorites.

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Submitted by Leigh Strinsky, former Captain and now Manager of Online Initiatives.

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on May 18, 2006
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May 15, 2006

Hello, Maine!

For three weeks, starting May 24, the Nantucket Clipper will cruise the coast of Maine on our Waterways of Coastal Maine cruise.  Last Saturday, the Portland Press Herald wrote a nice article about the upcoming Nantucket Clipper visits to Bath, ME.   We look forward to meeting the local residents and are thrilled that they will be so welcoming to our guests.  It's always nice when we arrive in a small community like Bath and are treated like family!

As is often the case, reading the online version of the article, I found myself clicking on link after link, losing myself in the charm of the state.  My virtual journey took me to this fantastic website that features live webcams for most harbors in Maine.  Many of the New England ports that we visit are listed on this site.  I plan to check back once the Nantucket is in the area, to see if I can spot her in these cameras. 

Back to Bath...it seems like a lovely New England community, rich in nautical history- with Bath Ironworks being the anchor of the community.  Some of the finest shipbuilders in the U.S. are in this area.  In fact, several of our small-ships were built in New England. The Spirit of Discovery was actually built in Boothbay Harbor, just round the corner from Bath.   I am sure that our guests will have a wonderful time exploring the nautical history of this area at the Maine Maritime Museum and eating a fabulous lunch featuring Maine lobster...

I can almost smell the salt air, taste the seafood and hear water lapping against the side of the hull.  Calgon, take me away!

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Submitted by Leigh Strinsky, former Captain, now Manager of Online Initatives

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on May 15, 2006
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May 12, 2006

Costa Rica Cruise Enhancement

Submitted by Carisa Carnes, Product Manager for our Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruises.  Carisa loves Costa Rica and spends every minute of her free time down there.  Who better to manage this voyage for us?

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On the Coast to Canal itinerary we have added value to the Panama Canal day.  After transiting halfway through the Canal from Panama City to Gatun Lake and the Gamboa Region aboard the dayboat Isla Morada, guests will now have included stops at the Miraflores Locks Visitors Center and a crafts market on the way back to the Pacific Explorer in Panama City.

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Posted by Carisa Carnes on May 12, 2006
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May 10, 2006

New Postcard Feature

Submitted by Leigh Strinsky- former Captain and now Manager of Online Initiatives

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Last week, we launched a new feature on our website that allows you to send postcards to friends & family.  It's a very interactive feature, that allows you to load and send your own photos or to select and send one of our stock images to friends & family.   You can further customize the postcard by choosing your border, adding in a "bubble quote" and of course, personalizing your message. 

I'd love to have you try it out and then send me your feedback.  Is it easy to use?  Is it fun to use?  Could it be improved?  If so, how?

We do have a nice postcard service onboard our small-ships right now.  It is standard practice to give all of our guests complimentary, post-paid postcards to mail to their loved ones.  If we could make the e-postcard feature available while you were on your cruise with us, would that be a benefit to you?

If you'd like to send me your thoughts on this new feature or on anything else web-related, you can do so by posting a comment to this post (see below for the comment link) or can email me directly at: leighs@cruisewest.com

Have fun & I hope to hear from you!

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Posted by Leigh Strinsky on May 10, 2006
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May 07, 2006

"Lost" in Alaska's Inside Passage

Submitted by Leigh Strinsky- former Captain and now Manager of Online Initiatives(web stuff).

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"Well, sounds like a good job, but you'd better be careful or you'll get lost."  Those were the words of one of my East Coast mariner friends when I told him I'd been offered a job with Cruise West and that my route would be from Seattle to Juneau through the Inside Passage.

I grew up around boats, sailing the lakes and waterways of the East Coast.  Lazy summers spent on the water as a child grew into highly competitive collegiate sailing.  That eventually led to a 4 yr stint in the U.S. Coast Guard where I was flown across the country to a very busy Search and Rescue station in Newport, Oregon - Station Yaquina Bay.  So, I felt confident and up to the task.

Me, worry about getting lost?  How could I? The main shipping lanes or "highway" to Alaska is well-traveled by big cruise ships and ferries all summer long.  If all those boats safely ply these waters at all hours, then I'll be fine.

Reporting to the Spirit of Alaska, as Second Mate, my collateral duty was to maintain the charts.  There were hundreds!  My first clue that there might have been some truth in my friend's words.   As I studied the charts, I realized very quickly that these charts could be categorized. There were the series of charts that all the BIG ships use (you do need those for part of the route) and then there were the OTHER charts...those that would help me get "lost."  The charts for sailors and mariners who weren't interested in traveling with the rest of the armada and wanted to choose the waterways less traveled and really see Alaska.  Those charts were well worn, with many personal notes and tips handwritten throughout.

Suddenly, I realized.  I was getting paid to get "LOST."  What a job...  

Although I don't work on the boats anymore, my own tattered cruising guides are still a part of my personal library.  I can still envision every back passage and narrow waterway, know the characteristics of the land and could probably still get "lost" with the best of them.  Alaska does that to you.  Touches your soul and never lets go.  A lifetime of memories is mine...after all, aren't the best travel experiences those where we get "lost"?

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Email: leighs@cruisewest.com

Posted by Leigh Strinsky on May 07, 2006
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May 04, 2006

Jan's Journal- Day 6 Port Townsend

Victoria had been beautiful and very European, reminded me of my heritage, still being a UK citizen. The option of stay later in the town was appealing so we stopped and ate at a Tapas bar downtown before making our way back to the Endeavour. Several other guests had stopped and eaten good old fish and chips and had a pint of English Beer. One night out was good; we had a chance to really feel and see the life of Victoria, walking back to the vessel was so pretty with the evening lights twinkling over the Capital building .

We woke early next day to some bumpy weather, the Straits of Juan de Fuca are renown for being a little wild and they lived up to their reputation! Still a few were in the lounge for coffee and a spot of breakfast although the cups and plates not quite so full in-case of spills. By 9:00am the weather had turned brighter as we entered into the Harbor at Port Townsend. Waiting at the dock were several tour guides dressed in Victorian garb and looking very fancy with feathered hats, with information packets in hand. We had an open day, we could take the tour or stay on board or wander at our pace, we chose to take the tour.

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Posted by Jan Sheeley on May 04, 2006
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