I have talked about the different Shore Excursion Officers (ShoreEx) from the ships in previous blogs. And I know that I will, from time to time, once we are home, talk about the people with whom I have worked here in Ketchikan. I had the thought, about three weeks ago, to take my camera to work with me and snap some pictures of these people who have become friends. Everyone was a good sport about my "assignment."
This will be my last posting from Ketchikan Alaska. Tomorrow (Monday Sept 26th) we load up the car, give the keys to the apartment back to the landlord, and turn in to Ketchikan Public Utilities (KPU) all of the internet and cable equipment that we have had for the past 5 months. We board the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry on Tuesday very early in the morning. So we decided to stay at "The Narrows" Monday night. Our adventure will be over. It has been quite an experience for me. I know that I will miss Ketchikan. I also know that I won't miss the weather. I have been told that this year was exceptional. August saw over 42 inches of rain. The first day of September we got 12 inches in just that day and by mid September we've surpassed all of August's rain totals. And the wind! We've had many storms that blew 30-45 mph sustained with gusts of more than 65-75 mph. I know that that's true, because I've stood down on the docks in that, along with my co-workers.
However, I have had a lot of fun. I have met so many wonderful people who have become real friends. So many of the dock reps, tour operators and support people are from other parts of the U.S. And the ShoreExes are from many different parts of the world. Everyone is very accepting of everyone. And we are all the same and all equal. No age nor economical differences. Its just pure acceptance of who we all just are - no judgements. Saying good-bye to everyone has been difficult - co-workers and ShoreExes alike. There has even been a few tears. There is a bit of magic here as well. Dan and I live downtown and can (and do) walk to almost everywhere. I know all the dock reps by name and they know me. I know almost all the bus drivers and when I'm driving along with a bus coming toward me, they wave because they know me too. Same goes for some of the shop owners (mostly jewelry stores - go figure). Dan is amazed when he shadows me on how many of the different people really know me.
And I've done some amazing things as well. I've never seen whales before and twice I have seen humpback whales bubble net feeding. And we've gone kayaking in the ocean, zip line, adventure karts, fishing, climbing Brown Mountain, flying around mountains, staying in forest service cabins in the middle of the wilderness.
It's likely I won't see these people again. They are all wonderful people who have drifted in and out of my life and have given me new life experiences. I know that I have found, in me, a new strength. I know that I
can do. I have pushed beyond my comfort envelope. I think that I have changed a little. I know that I won't run from the rain.
So, I'd like to share with you the pictures of everyone who have passed in and out of my life:
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| Peter Morris - ShoreEx Coral Princess |
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| Johane and Pamela - Asst ShoreExes Coral Princess |
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| Susan, Joseph and Pembrook (the bear) - Diamond Princess |
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| Charmaine - ShoreEx Celebrity Millennium |
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| Monica (Alaska Travel Adventures), Marcia (Allen Marine) |
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| Wanda - Lighthouses, Totems and Eagles |
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| Ellie (HAPA Bus Co); Laura (Spirit of Alaska) |
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| Megan - HAPA Bus Co |
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| Dierdra - Gray Line of Alaska (driver) |
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| Emily and Dick - HAPA |
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| Sarah and Kevin - ShoreExes, Holland-America Vollendam |
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| Sarah and Kevin |
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| John - ShoreEx,- Oceania Seven Seas Navigator (Amber and Candi in background) |
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| John |
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| Rachel - HAPA |
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| Rachel (Asst ShoreEx - Sapphire), Shelly (Taquan), Gordon (ShoreEx Mgr - Sapphire Princess) |
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| Gordon |
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| Jamie and Cheyann - ShoreExes Holland-America Statendam |
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| Monica - ShoreEx Manager Statendam |
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| Monica with Estella (HAPA) |
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| Ryan Turner - Taquan (with passengers signing waivers for Karts) |
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| David Singer - Alaska Coach Tours, Manager |
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| Norwegian Pearl ShoreExes |
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| Allie, Grant (Mgr), Paul, Holly |
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| Todd (ShoreEx Mgr) and Lammy - Holland America Zaandam |
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| Arlene (ShoreEx Mgr) & Johanna - Celebrity Century |
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| Jackie and Paul - Alaska Travel Adventures |
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| Aros, Anthony (Mgr), Jacko - ShoreExes Disney Wonder |
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| Susan Oakenfeld - ShoreEx Mgr, Diamond Princess |
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| Chris - ShoreEx Mgr Oceania Regatta |
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| My XTra Tuffs (my best buddies) |
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| Solidad (Solly) - Asst ShoreEx, Kirsty - ShoreEx Mgr, Island Princess |
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| Sometimes we have to do our "Settlement" at the Arctic Bar |
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| Sabrina (with Rory & Joyce) - Southeast Exposure Kayak |
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| Gordon - Sapphire Princess |
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| Jamie and Cheyann aboard the Statendam where they invited me to dinner |
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| Jamie |
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| Fernando - Asst ShoreEx Celebrity Infinity |
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| Taku - Asst ShoreEx Carnival Spirit |
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| We were so happy to FINALLY get some sunshine we made sidewalk chalk art at the Coral Princess |
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| More sidewalk chalk art |
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| Johane - artist extraordinaire |
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| Pamela's bubbly personality (Coral Princess) |
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| Joyce displayed her artistic talents as well (that's Zip Line) |
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| Peter (Coral) with Wanda (Lighthouses) |
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| Ambra - Asst ShoreEx Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas |
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| I took Solly and Kirsty (Island Princess) out to the Lodge for Crab! That's Anna from the Lodge |
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| We stopped at the Water Fall |
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| Then went to Fish Pirates Saloon for our final good-byes (Kirsty, Emily, Wanda) |
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| Solidad (Solly) with Wesley - Island Princess |
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| Rashida - ShoreEx Holland America Zuiderdam |
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| Norwegian Pearl ShoreEx Team, Wanda & John, Dan at the Lodge for Crab! |
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| Grant and me at the Water Fall |
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| Trish Schaunessy - The George Inlet Lodge |
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| Jayne Earhart - George Inlet Lodge |
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| Deb - ShoreEx Holland America Oosterdam, Estella |
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| Amber - Spirit of Alaska Tours |
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| Jill - Lumberjack Show |
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| Candi (Sash Day at the Coral Princess) |
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| Erin, Fred (Alaska Snorkeling) & Lindsey (Spirit of Alaska) at Prom Spoof Day - Coral |
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| Shelley Virginia - Southeast Exposure Kayaks |
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| Jonathan and Beth - Alaska Canopy Zip Lines |
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| Sonnika - Disney Wonder |
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| Walter - Finance Officer, Disney Wonder |
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| Jarad and K.T. - Southeast Exposure Kayaks |
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| Candi Scudero and Russell Thomas - Experience Alaska Tours |
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| Kevin (Mgr), Taku (Asst), Akos (Asst) - Carnival Spirit |
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| To see some of the Taquan folks, go to the post just before this one |
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| Candi, Katja (ShoreEx Mgr Seven Seas Navigator, before John) |
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| (l - r) Katja, Candi, Lorrie (Alaska Coach Tours), Jackie, Julie (ACT) |
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| Dale & Ailsa Clark (Taquan pilot and Spirit of Alaska driver) |
Bye, Bye,
It's been Swell!
