All our bags are packed, we’re ready to go!  This coming Sunday marks the start of our latest adventure that involves an Amtrak train ride from Stanwood to Vancouver B.C., an Alaska cruise aboard the Holland America ship MS Noordam, halibut fishing in Homer Alaska, an all day Alaska brown bear photo safari in Alaskan back country by way of a 10 passenger DeHavilland Turbine Otter seaplane, and for Barb of course, plenty of beach walking in a never ending quest to find amazing and unique seashells.  Speaking for the four of us, our day of departure can’t come soon enough.  The Wagnersons will be celebrating our respective wedding anniversaries on this trip…40 years for the Andersons and 43 for the Wagners.

When this anniversary adventure was first conceived many months ago, I was initially reluctant to include a full on seven day cruise to Alaska.  After all, when you are captive aboard a ship that includes 1,900 passengers and 800 crew members, you will be living for a week inside a Petri dish.  You remember those things from science class in high school (however long ago that was) that were used to grow bacteria.  That is not necessarily my idea of fun.  Ahhh, but those concerns of mine were beaten into submission by the group, particularly Barb who reminds us that she’s the youngest of the Wagnersons…”You’ve got to love me, I’m the baby!”  It is time to break out our travel motto we first utilized beginning with our 2013 Italy trip:  “Attitude is everything, enjoy the journey.”  And so we will go, with everyone in one mind focused on whatever serendipitous experience and adventure might come our way over the next two weeks beginning Sunday.  I know for sure there will be lots of laughter on this trip.  There always is.  We are excited.  We are more than ready.  And we can’t wait for the adventures to begin!