|
This week’s tour took us to places that were truly uncharted, unimaginable and unbelievable.  Letters From Home onboard the S.S. Legacy We have performed on 7 Un-Cruise adventures now, and if you’ve read any of my other blogs on Un-Cruise, you know that they are out of this world. The “Un-Cruise way” is like nothing else in the travel industry, and the care and passion that each team member has to give their guests a true unique experience is just beautiful.  The S.S. Legacy Ready to board in Juneau. This year, Un-Cruise Adventures turned the ship we perform on, (the SS Legacy), into an adventure boat like their other ships. The “Sea Dragon” which is now towed behind the Legacy carries all sorts of fun ways to truly explore Alaska like paddleboards, kayaks and small boats that go right up to nature.  Cocktail hour onboard! The inner passages of Alaska re truly a sight to behold. The tall snow-capped mountains, the clear beautiful glaciers, the extensive wildlife… and we didn’t miss one moment. The cruise left out of Juneau, a beautiful city with so much personality. Courtney and I visited the world-famous “Red Dog Saloon” and had their delicious “duck fart” shots. My parents went to the Red Dog on their honeymoon, so it was special to go back and visit. We had the opportunity to hang out with the Red Dog’s entertainer- an 80-year-old piano player who has toured the world but always comes back to the Red Dog Saloon to play and have fun.  Friends onboard the friendliest ship afloat! Onboard with us were 29 other passengers, including some friends and Letters From Home folks and my mom who’s an amazing travel agent and huge advocate of Un-Cruise Adventures. After a quick lifeboat drill, we were on our way.  Goofing off at the lifeboat drill! The next morning we woke up in Tracy Arm, a fjord with cascading waterfalls, sheer granite walls and the cutest harbor seals you ever did see! We got to kayak with these amazing creatures and also saw some beautiful eagles. In the afternoon, we went down to Stephen’s Passage, where Hannah from our ship guided us on an intense hike up the mountain with some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world all to ourselves. We had to make lots of noise every time we were in these woods as it was true bear country. Not only did we see bears off of the coast, but we followed their tracks for hours! We also saw so many amazing kinds of liken and plants that are unique to the region that were truly awesome.  A lovely scenic hike.... watch out for bears! Thomas Bay was our next stop, and in the morning we hiked for 6 miles with Megan from our ship, seeing some porcupines, eating different roots and plants along the route and truly treading through the mud along the coast. Here we discovered what boot-sucking mud truly was- and had to be careful not to get stuck in it!  With my mom on an iceberg! Our first glacier was the amazing and awe-inspiring Baird Glacier. We boarded a skiff that afternoon and passed by harbor seals and birds on the way to view this spectacular sight, brought some ice onboard and took bets on how many days it would take to melt. The next day, we went to an area that looked like we were waling on the moon in the most southernmost tidewater glacier in North America- the LeConte Glacier. It was an afternoon of touching icebergs, eating ice, finding bird eggs, and giving ourselves “glacial facials” with the mud that is extremely good for your skin. Courtney and I even went paddleboarding, in Ideal Cove (which is as ideal as the name would suggest!) with the seals around the trip and enjoyed the peace and energy of the waters.  Paddle boarding in Ideal Cove The next day after a stop in “Kake”, we sailed through the amazing Frederick Sound and cruised around watching bears, porpoises and whales all afternoon. Baranof Island was one of the most incredible places, and we bushwacked to some of the most untouched wilderness in the Tongass. It was amazing to make our own path across trees, through the brush, over ponds and under roots that were thousands of years old. There, we met a slug named “Roger” and after we kissed him, I licked him and lost feeling in my tongue for 10 minutes. That afternoon, I kayaked with my mom which was a hoot and so much fun surrounded by sea otters.  My first date with a slug.... The next day we went bear watching and bushwacking in some truly incredible untouched places in the Sergius Narrows. After an afternoon kayak with Courtney, we decided to take the POLAR PLUNGE! Being in my bathing suit in Alaska leaping into icy cold water was definitely one of the most invigorating experiences of my life. I loved it so much I did it twice. We sailed through to a beautiful scenic waterfall and saw more wildlife along the way.  Glacial Facials! Though the sights were some of the most incredible I’ve ever seen, the true beauty of the trip was the people. The passengers who ranged in age from 9 to 90 were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and it’s incredible to see people from all different walks of life come together for a week experience and leave feeling like they are extended family.  With Captain Tim Voss of the S.S. Legacy The crew onboard is truly the best. You can feel the love they have for each other and for the company. The late night card games, visits to the bridge, amazing meals, comradery and fun times we had performing will never be forgotten. In your lifetime, I highly encourage you to take an Un-Cruise adventure. You’ll come out changed for the better, and with indellable memories that will make you see new beauty on our planet. –Erinn xoxoxoxox  Fun at the glacier!
0 Comments
Every year for Memorial Day weekend, Letters From Home has had the privilege of calling Marion, Virginia our second home.  Memorial Day Flags (Photo by Zimbro Photography) We were performing at the National Convention for the VFW in San Antonio, Texas in 2011 when we met Turk Johnson, the commander of the Marion VFW and his lovely wife Penny. When they invited us to perform in their home town, we had no idea just what we were in for! The town of Marion is one of the most patriotic towns I have encountered along our many travels. The mayor, David Helms is a one-of-a-kind character who truly cares about the people in the town, knows them all by name and actively gets everyone involved for a better community. After our first show at their beautiful Lincoln Theatre so many years ago, the mayor presented us with the keys to the city…. Though the door has always been open to anyone who wishes to venture into Marion, and we’ve never needed a key. :) We have enjoyed the warmth of people everywhere in the town, including the world-famous Dip Dogs, the lovely Frances Marion hotel downtown, and the beautiful Hungry Mother park.  With Ken and David, the mayor of Marion at the Memorial Day service. (Photo- Zimbro Photography Studios) This year’s trip to Marion was particularly special, as we arrived in the early afternoon Saturday to do a small show for their nursing home. Though I am grateful that we have had the privilege of performing at several large and seemingly impressive venues lately, my favorite performances are always the small, intimate shows at retirement and nursing homes where there are veterans and residents who can rarely get out to see live entertainment. The smiles on their faces as a memory comes back or a song gets into their heart is more rewarding than any large audience ever will be, and I truly have the best seat in the house as their eyes twinkle and they start tapping their toes and singing along.  Outside the beautiful Lincoln Theatre (Photo credit Zimbro Photography Studios) The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is always a highlight as well, as we do a big performance in the beautiful Lincoln Theatre. This historic theatre that was built in 1929, and almost every movie star of the generation has performed at that theatre… including Roy Rogers who rode his host and co-star Trigger onto the stage! The theatre is now where the television show The Song of the Mountainis filmed, and it’s architecture is truly stunning. During the show this year, I had a few of my Spring Theatre kids join me onstage tap dancing, and it was a amazing special feeling to perform alongside these young professionals who I taught and directed for years as they were growing up. For the Memorial Day show, Nelson also rendered a version of “Just A Common Soldier” before I sang Taps, and of course there were plenty of jokes and tap dancing to go around. A truly fun afternoon at the theatre with a special veteran-filled audience.  Nelson and I onstage during the vocal version of "Taps" (Photo Zimbro Photography) Many friends from Winston-Salem make the drive each year to Marion now, and it has been wonderful to see two of our “families” combine and become an even larger family.  Our Winston-Salem family in the beautiful city of Marion after the show (Photo credit- Blue Ridge Custom Photography) On Memorial Day itself, we are honored to each year play a large role in the beautiful Marion parade, riding alongside WWII Veterans on a float down Main Street. Our first year in the parade, there were almost 15 veterans on the float, and this year we were down to 5 special guys who served in WWII. I treasure every moment with these heroes. The parade is a beautiful balance of celebrating patriotism while remembering those who are no longer with us.  With the Gold Star families before the Memorial Day parade (Photo credit Zimbro Photography) After the parade at the VFW, everyone in the town is invited for a free lunch and a meaningful Memorial Day service. It is a true humbling honor to be a part of this service.  At the Memorial Day Service (Photo Credit- Zimbro Photography Studios) But, the thing that truly makes Marion different than any other town is their crosses that they put up for Memorial Day each year. These crosses carry the names of veterans who have passed away that are either from Marion, or have had a connection to the town in some way. Each year more and more flags are added, this year there were over 70 names and flags added to the grounds. The light of my life, my daddy, was honored with one of these flags. Since his passing in 2015, each year when I visit his flag, I feel like he’s become a part of the strong spirit of the town. –Erinn xoxoxox  In front of daddy's flag (Photo by ZImbro Photography) |