Thursday, July 4, 2013

Best Day in Juneau YET!

Today was expected to be the worst day of the season. The city closes the streets in and out of town for a July 4th parade and it plays havoc with all the tours.  I expected cranky passengers and terrible tips.  Instead I got an Alaska size adventure.  Let me explain!
It all started when I was on track to be the last shuttle out of town before the parade began.  I was in a hurry to get my passengers on the bus, because if I didn't, we wouldn't make it out of town before the downtown streets closed.
I was at the lot loading my bus as fast as I could, and before I knew it we were at standing room only with an almost full bus and lots more people to still get on the bus.  If they didn't make it on my bus, t hey would have to wait another couple of hours before heading out to the glacier.
I asked everyone to squeeze a little tighter, and then yet a little tighter so we could fit every waiting passenger on the bus - stating that we didn't want to leave anyone behind.
Shockingly everyone cooperated and soon we were headed out of the lot with a very, VERY full bus. The road was already packed with people waiting for the parade, so I made a crack to my passengers that everyone was there to give them an Alaska Size send off to the Glacier.  Then I started waving at all the people lining the street and honking my horn.  My passengers followed suit and we waved and laughed our way through town.  It was hysterical!
What could have been an overcrowded ride to the glacier turned into a wonderful adventure - and it set the stage for the entire day.  My bus was full all day long, I was laughing and joking with passengers, and they responded in kind.
At the end of the day I had not only a  tip bucket full of money (some 20s , a few 10s and more than few 5s along with tons of 1s) , but more importantly a wonderful day filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
Happy Independence Day everyone -  and God Bless America!


~Miriam

Monday, July 1, 2013

It's July!

Can you believe it's July?  60 More days until I return home from my Alaska Adventuring and 11 more days until Larry arrives.  That means when he leaves, I'll have 39 days left here after he leaves. I can DO THIS!

June has been unseasonably warm with lots of sunshine.  When I came I expected cool rainy weather to be the norm. I woke up today to rain showers and am hoping they continue for a few days. It would be nice to have sunny days when Larry is here, so I don't want to use them all up before he arrives :)

Today is also a Monday, and that makes it a bit bittersweet.  Monday's are great because the first ship isn't in until 11:00, which makes for a late start. But Monday is also the first of the week with Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday being very long days at work.  By the end of these three days I'm dragging pretty bad, but there is still Thursday and Friday to go before a day off on Saturday.

I spoke with Chris last night, and it sounds as though he and JuleeAnn will come up for a couple of days when Larry is here. I am excited to not only see them, but to have them see Alaska. It really is like no place I've ever been, and even though today finds me rather homesick for my family and friends, as well as the familiarity that comes with home, Alaska is an incredible place to visit and live for a summer!

TTFN
Miriam