VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

We found cards hidden in our luggage for our anniversary. And balloons (uninflated) from Mac. 48 years (one of us forgot to get a card for his bride, so he sang the family song to her, as originated by Melvin D., Senior).

Christ Church Cathedral.

Looking towards the altar. The glass windows are transparent, the stained glass windows are beyond (the congregation enlarged the facility and moved the back wall and the stained glass).

The pulpit. It is on the congregation's left, before you reach the altar.

The rose window and the pipe organ. The organ is one of the most famous in Canada. Its beautiful sound is heard in many concerts, and every day someone places for times of meditation. We got to hear it.

These are the windows that were moved. Beautiful! And that is our cruise on the Explorer of the Seas to Alaska and Victoria. See you next time from Barcelona, Spain on board Carnival Vista.

FROM SKAGWAY TO THE YUKON AND BACK

Docked in Skagway. Port side.

Starboard.

Our bus driver, Luke -- "I am not your father." And he said, "Like I've never heard that before." Great guide.

See the curved posts with the red paint. They are so the snow plows will know where the road is.

Tall enough for the bus to driver under. That would be a lot of snow!

The only cantilevered bridge in Alaska -- anchored only on the left side.

Dozens, perhaps hundreds of these lakes, some up to 600 feet deep.

It's not the size of the sign that marks the border. Actually, considering the giant scope of everything around it, it is rather puny.

Looks like a forehead, nose and chin of a person sleeping downhill.

Enjoying a bowl of bison chili. It was very tasty. The huge rolls they served were fantastic.

Bonnie and the bear.

After lunch, we boarded a train for the trip back to Skagway. Unbelievable scenery.

That looks like a bullet hole to me!

I included this so you could see how close to the edge the train travels. The track is 100+ years old.

An original gold rush spur, no longer used.

You can see the top of Bonnie's grey head -- count back 5 in a straight line.

RETURN TO JUNEAU

Irving Berlin! The locals say we caught an unusually beautiful day on our second visit.

Sea plane on approach. The only way in or out of Juneau is by airplane or watercraft. You cannot drive into Alaska's capital.

The Radiance of the Seas was also in port today.

Downtown Juneau framed by trees.

One of dozens of glaciers in the Mendenhall Park area.

Mendenhall Glacier. It used to cover the area where I took this photograph and several miles beyond. Locals say it will be gone in 15-20 years. Rassen-fracken fricken-bricken Al Gore!

In the Spring the glacier will be white. This late in the season it is flecked with dust that has eroded off of the mountains.

Touching an ancient piece of history. We later saw a family of 3 pick this piece of ice up, stuff it into a backpack and take it with them. I guess they were going to fill glasses and offer a toast.

Night falling over Juneau.

The Radiance under way (the tug is docked beside of us).

And into the night.