Monday, September 26, 2011

Thanks......It's been fun!

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:

Peter Morris - ShoreEx Coral Princess
Johane and Pamela - Asst ShoreExes Coral Princess
Susan, Joseph and Pembrook (the bear) - Diamond Princess
Charmaine - ShoreEx Celebrity Millennium
Monica (Alaska Travel Adventures), Marcia (Allen Marine)
Wanda - Lighthouses, Totems and Eagles
Ellie (HAPA Bus Co); Laura (Spirit of Alaska)
Megan - HAPA Bus Co
Dierdra - Gray Line of Alaska (driver)
Emily and Dick - HAPA
Sarah and Kevin - ShoreExes, Holland-America Vollendam
Sarah and Kevin
John - ShoreEx,- Oceania Seven Seas Navigator (Amber and Candi in background)
John
Rachel - HAPA
Rachel (Asst ShoreEx - Sapphire), Shelly (Taquan), Gordon (ShoreEx Mgr - Sapphire Princess)
Gordon
Jamie and Cheyann - ShoreExes Holland-America Statendam
Monica - ShoreEx Manager Statendam
Monica with Estella (HAPA)
Ryan Turner - Taquan (with passengers signing waivers for Karts)
David Singer - Alaska Coach Tours, Manager
Norwegian Pearl ShoreExes
Allie, Grant (Mgr), Paul, Holly
Todd (ShoreEx Mgr) and Lammy - Holland America Zaandam
Arlene (ShoreEx Mgr) & Johanna - Celebrity Century
Jackie and Paul - Alaska Travel Adventures
Aros, Anthony (Mgr), Jacko - ShoreExes Disney Wonder
Susan Oakenfeld - ShoreEx Mgr, Diamond Princess
Chris - ShoreEx Mgr Oceania Regatta
My XTra Tuffs (my best buddies)
Solidad (Solly) - Asst ShoreEx, Kirsty - ShoreEx Mgr, Island Princess
Sometimes we have to do our "Settlement" at the Arctic Bar
Sabrina (with Rory & Joyce) - Southeast Exposure Kayak
Gordon - Sapphire Princess
Jamie and Cheyann aboard the Statendam where they invited me to dinner
Jamie
Fernando - Asst ShoreEx Celebrity Infinity
Taku - Asst ShoreEx Carnival Spirit
We were so happy to FINALLY get some sunshine we made sidewalk chalk art at the Coral Princess
More sidewalk chalk art
Johane - artist extraordinaire
Pamela's bubbly personality (Coral Princess)
Joyce displayed her artistic talents as well (that's Zip Line)
Peter (Coral) with Wanda (Lighthouses)
Ambra - Asst ShoreEx Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas
I took Solly and Kirsty (Island Princess) out to the Lodge for Crab! That's Anna from the Lodge
We stopped at the Water Fall
Then went to Fish Pirates Saloon for our final good-byes (Kirsty, Emily, Wanda)
Solidad (Solly) with Wesley - Island Princess
Rashida - ShoreEx Holland America Zuiderdam
Norwegian Pearl ShoreEx Team, Wanda & John, Dan at the Lodge for Crab!
Grant and me at the Water Fall
Trish Schaunessy - The George Inlet Lodge
Jayne Earhart - George Inlet Lodge
Deb - ShoreEx Holland America Oosterdam, Estella
Amber - Spirit of Alaska Tours
Jill - Lumberjack Show
Candi (Sash Day at the Coral Princess)
Erin, Fred (Alaska Snorkeling) & Lindsey (Spirit of Alaska) at Prom Spoof Day - Coral
Shelley Virginia - Southeast Exposure Kayaks
Jonathan and Beth - Alaska Canopy Zip Lines
Sonnika - Disney Wonder
Walter - Finance Officer, Disney Wonder
Jarad and K.T. - Southeast Exposure Kayaks
Candi Scudero and Russell Thomas - Experience Alaska Tours
Kevin (Mgr), Taku (Asst), Akos (Asst) - Carnival Spirit
To see some of the Taquan folks, go to the post just before this one
Candi, Katja (ShoreEx Mgr Seven Seas Navigator, before John)
(l - r) Katja, Candi, Lorrie (Alaska Coach Tours), Jackie, Julie (ACT)
Dale & Ailsa Clark (Taquan pilot and Spirit of Alaska driver)

Bye, Bye,
It's been Swell!


1 comment:

  1. Hello Dan and Nancy,

    I ran across your blog while researching Taquan Air for a weekly contest that closes tomorrow morning. There are two TA planes in this picture and I'm trying to find out the location of the shot. http://dailydish.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451c45669e2015437c09c68970c-800wi Any ideas?

    Great blog. I very much enjoyed your 5 months in Ketchikan and environs. I live in south Texas but my dad was raised in Belingham, WA so the Pacific Northwest was my Shangrila as a kid in the late 50's early 60's. We made it to Vancouver and Victoria but not any farther north. Now Alaska is on my bucket list thanks to you guys.

    Best wishes,

    James Lovegren

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