It’s rainy in Ketchikan, Alaska this morning. Imagine that! We’re at the southern section of the state, where I can’t imagine much sunshine appears. This is my kind of weather: overcast, chilly. Beats the warmer climates any day (in my opinion). I’d rather be swaddled in a flannel blanket than on the verandah sweating my socks off in the middle of a heat wave. I think my body and mind are rebelling against the humid summers I suffered through as a child. Truth be told, Ponzi would rather be sitting in a tropical paradise today. She’s been enjoying our Alaska cruise as much as I have, though. This is the only time of year you’re able to go this far north on vacation (at least, as far as mainstream vacations go). For me, this has been more of a chance to get away from the regular din of the day more than it has been to “have fun.” I guess that’s why I’m perfectly content this morning, sitting in a library with folks more than twice my age, staring out the window into a foggy cove.

The family vacation is an American institution. My parents made sure we traveled across the country a few times before everybody grew up. Our mode of transportation was usually a car, van, or RV - never a train, never a plane, never a ship. Ponzi, on the other hand, seldom had a “traditional” family vacation. She had traveled to places like Austria and Thailand, but never experienced the joy of seeing the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota with her siblings. Now that my brothers and I have created nuclear families of our own, my parents have revitalized their road life and purchased another RV (having sold the other one years ago). Even though we don’t have children, Ponzi and I already know that family vacations will be a part of our lives together. She doesn’t want to drive anywhere, though - so “road trip” adventures are likely a thing of the past for me.

But enough about future vacations - I’m in the middle of one now! We’ll be setting sail for the final port (Victoria, British Columbia) in a few hours. There, Ponzi has scheduled a small tour and high tea - whatever that means. She’s out in Ketchikan this morning, making sure our credit remains fully functional. Me? I’m enjoying the Internet connection on board, thanks to Pluggd for covering our connection costs. Now there’s something we didn’t have in the family excursions of yesteryear!

[tags]alaska,cruise,family vacation,oosterdam,pluggd,ketchikan,victoria,british columbia,high tea,road trip[/tags]