You thought I fell off the face of the earth, didn't you?
Well, almost, but I held on by the teensy weensy tips of my fingers, grappling for a ledge to sit on and catch my breath. It totally ruined my nails. I've just been really busy. I know...You're busy, I'm busy, we're all busy. But I have been hit with the trifecta of busyness.
1. We bought a house.
2. We are packing, which translates into one big, chaotic mess.
3. The tourist season started.
Need I say more?
And in case you're wondering, no, I haven't touched my sewing machine in weeks. Ok, maybe even a month. Or more. But I do know where it is. What I have been doing is pillaging through my sewing room and stuffing boxes. Fabric is really heavy and I'd like to say I'm sorry ahead of time to the wonderful friends who will be picking up these boxes in three weeks and loading them into the truck. I hope they're still my friends afterwards. I shall bribe them with pizza and homemade cookies.
More on moving later.
On to the start of the 2011 Tourist Season! May 6th was our first ship, and it was a most exciting day. For 15 years I have lived in Skagway and worked the tourist season with glee, watching various cruise ships dock in our harbor and spill out thousands of smiling tourists, eager to spend money and explore Alaska. The Disney Cruise Line was never amongst those ships. Until NOW! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am that Disney has finally got with the program and is offering Alaskan cruises. The anticipation of seeing the Wonder pull into Skagway has had me on the edge of my seat for months now. And to top it all off, they were the first ship in port this year. I couldn't wait to greet them and see them in our waters, so naturally, I went out at 5:30am to see them come in. What? You're not all up at that hour? Come on.
The Disney Wonder is a gorgeous ship. She's bright and colorful and full of Hidden Mickeys! It was gray and misty that morning, but she was clean and beautiful against the snowy mountains. Once she was docked and I had taken a couple dozen pictures, I had to get to work. I was able to meet Karl Holz, the President of Disney Cruise Lines and board his family on the train. He was really excited to be here and him and his whole family were so friendly, just as you'd expect.
Later that evening, we went back out to watch her leave Skagway. The fog had lifted and the sun was out. It made for some nice pictures as she set out in our harbor and off down the canal. And the best part....her horn is "When You Wish Upon A Star". I love it!
Nice pictures!
Posted by: Erin (your Skagway friend) | 05/10/2011 at 01:07 AM
I loved Skagway when my husband and I were one of those getting on and off of a ship about 8 years or so now. We took the train ride and loved the beautiful country.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Posted by: Karen | 05/10/2011 at 04:51 AM
The Disney ships are FABULOUS & the best ships we've ever been on. Everything is over the top on the Disney cruise & all the other passengers on the other ships in port with you gather as the Disney ship heads out JUST to hear the horn. It is AWESOME!!
Posted by: Sherrill | 05/10/2011 at 05:23 AM
That looks like fun! Not the packing....seeing the Disney ship!
Posted by: LoriD | 05/10/2011 at 06:25 AM
Well, Alaska is on the other side of the world - just kidding. I've missed your're cheerful slant on quilting. Enjoy your new house and the summer season. Quilting is, after all, a winter sport.
Posted by: Robin Booth | 05/10/2011 at 07:26 AM
Thanks for sharing your photos - how fun to have Disney there - I'm a transplanted Alaskan so I miss the going on's up there.
Posted by: Jeanne | 05/10/2011 at 07:28 AM
A new house?!!!! Details!!! :-) How fun and exciting!!!!
I know how much your love your job during tourist season and I always look forward to hearing about it as well.
Posted by: Mary Flynn | 05/10/2011 at 08:32 AM
Welcome back!!! You were, indeed, missed. I've checked your blog every single day (except weekends. No one blogs then.) My heart rate actually went up when you started talking about the Disney ship and pulling into Skagway. Ah, to be there again. The train excursion was our absolute favorite.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | 05/10/2011 at 12:17 PM
Congratulations on your big purchase! Can't wait to hear more about it. Good luck with the move (I hate moving!!!). :)
Posted by: Alicia | 05/10/2011 at 12:25 PM
We enjoy going on Disney Cruise line and are considering the Alaska cruise. Thanks for sharing your photos of the Wonder. :-)
Posted by: Michele | 05/10/2011 at 03:49 PM
Also good luck with your move :-)
Posted by: Michele | 05/10/2011 at 03:50 PM
Just use your fabric to cushion glass or breakables and no one will know just how much fabric you have! lol
Nice photos of the Disney ship--I didn't know they came up there, either! We'll be up there in August, sailing the Norwegian Pearl. Wonder if we'll hear the Disney horn....
Posted by: Stephanie D | 05/10/2011 at 08:50 PM
YAY! Disney to Alaska...now we have NO excuse, well, except the lack of funds! ;-) I am SO jealous that their horn plays a song...aahh, Disney...beautiful pics...hang in there - before you know it, the season will be done, you'll be all moved in and will wonder where the time went! Miss you!
Posted by: Chamaine | 05/11/2011 at 11:18 AM
Packing fabric, oh my! Yes it is heavy but you have to have all of it!
What fun that Disney is now going to Alaska. This looks like a great big ship and I love the Mickeys. Good luck with your move and the tourist season--should be very busy now that lots of folks are avoiding Mexico.
Posted by: AnnieO | 05/11/2011 at 06:47 PM
My sister told me this weekend that she and her husband are taking their kids and grandkids on the Disney cruise to Alaska this summer. I wish she'd take me.
Posted by: Kathleen | 05/17/2011 at 10:16 PM