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I've Got Something to Say
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Another morning, another port. Upon waking up this morning, the ship was docked at Ketchikan. We ate breakfast while viewing the surrounding harbor, then went ashore to do a little exploring before catching our bus for the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary where we were registered for a zip-line excursion.
Upon arriving at the sanctuary, we loaded into a Unimog (a Mercedes-Benz all wheel drive off road vehicle) with 9 other people, to be taken to the top of the mountain. There we were each strapped into a zip-line harness, then stepped out the back door onto a porch for a brief orientation and instruction by our group’s guides Jake and Maggie. Turned out that Maggie was here working for the summer, after gaining some work experience in Colorado; she moved to CO from Indiana – her high school band director was one of the other members in our party. Small world. Then it was time for each one to step up and be secured to the line, then take that step of faith off the porch and ‘zip’ on over to the first platform. There were eight more platforms anywhere from 85 to 120 feet above the ground, and 100 to 850 feet apart, where one could reach speeds of 35-40 mph, especially when legs are pulled up to ones chest like doing a cannonball into a pool. There were also three treetop sky bridges to traverse on foot. We were able to see several bald eagles feasting at a nearby hatchery. Many times there are bears there too, but none were sighted today.
Upon completing the zips, we descended the staircase from the last platform to the ground below and removed our harnesses before getting on the bus to return to the dock. The ship was scheduled to be docked until 12:30 PM – just a brief half day in port. As the bus arrived to the dock there were a few hundred people in line to board the ship, so Jacque & I headed over to the nearby shops to grab a couple gifts we spotted during our walk earlier in the morning. Upon completing our shopping we returned to the dock and got in line to board the ship – there were still a couple hundred people in line,; a lot of people getting back from their excursions at the last minute.
We grabbed a quick lunch in the Lido Restaurant before heading to the Vista Lounge for Smitty’oke – that’s karaoke Smitty style. Guests were encouraged to sign up earlier in the cruise to karaoke their favorite Michael W Smith song with Smitty & the band providing the background music. I have teased Jacque for the past few months about signing us up for this to sing the duet Somewhere Somehow, but our form did not get turned before the deadline on Wednesday. Funny thing though as things were getting started and Chaz called the first few ‘performers’ up to get ready, one of the names he rattled off was "Dwayne and Joni" or something like that – needless to say we admitted to each other that our hearts skipped a beat as we each thought the other had snuck in a registration form…
As Smitty & the band came out they were dressed in their robes drinking tea/coffee, just to make a statement that they had a calm relaxing morning – contrasted to the fairly busy schedule they’ve been keeping all week.
The first one up was really no stranger to Smitty Cruise. Hunky Dory is a crew member that’s been on a couple previous Smitty cruises and is known to be able to learn the names of at least 1,000 passengers on every cruise, every week. No, he didn’t recite them or call folks by name from the audience, but he did karaoke Here I Am To Worship.
There were only two microphones available for singers to use. When this three lady trio came up, the first two grabbed the mics leaving the third lady empty handed. So, about halfway through the song she did a couple steps to her right and just kind of stood right next to Smitty, then put her arm around him and gave him a little hug. This picture was taken after she returned to her starting position and she showed a little exuberance as she realized what she just did.
The young girl sitting on the stool is singing Thy Word, while one of Chaz’s daughters signs along (Chaz is Smitty’s manager).
The lady in the wheel chair recited Psalm 139 (the whole chapter). She prefaced this saying that Michael had previously shared this at an event (where he recited it from memory), and how this Psalm gives words of hope and encouragement, especially to those living with physical and mental challenges.
The family that followed dove-tailed right on top of that as their daughter, Morgan (referred to in yesterday’s blog) is mentally challenged. The mom put an ‘Amen’ to the sentiment and Psalm that was just shared, and how Morgan enjoys this song so much (its one of Smitty’s newer songs; I don’t remember the title). You couldn’t understand the words coming out of Morgan’s mouth, but she was in rhythm of the music and enjoyed it just as much being upon stage as she did last night (and every concert night) on the floor in front of the stage.
The little girl with her two guardians on their knees knelt down just so they could hold the microphone for the little girl to use, but she kept pushing the mic away. As they continued the song, the guitar player and bass guitar player each knelt down too. Then the drummer pushed his stool aside, and the keyboard player (just to the left of the lady w/the purple top) did so as well. Smitty didn’t realize what was going on, being positioned at the front of the stage, then after turning to glimpse at what was going on behind him, he then proceeded to push his stool out of the way and kneel down on one knee to finish the song.
There were several other performers, these were just the highlights. Overall it was a very enjoyable and entertaining hour and half.
Later that evening at dinner there was a little surprise. Each place setting included a chef’s hat. Duncan wasn’t to sure about donning the hat – it might mess up his hair. Well, he caved to the peer pressure that everyone else (in the room, not just our table) was wearing theirs – so everyone will end up with some ‘hat hair’ damage while attending the concert following dinner. The serving crew also entertained us with a couple musical numbers as they paraded through the restaurant.
Tonight’s concert was titled "The Friends Concert". It started with Smitty and the band doing a few numbers. Then Christa, who plays guitar & violin for the band, while also singing background vocals, played a solo song she wrote called Black Monday. It was inspired by a ‘bad day’ she had experienced while being in DC for an event. Then Tyler and Anna, two of Michael & Debbie’s children, came out and did a couple numbers. They have also been doing some late night (starting at 11:15 PM) sets in the Queen’s Lounge during the week. Needless to say, when proud poppa (Smitty) returned to the stage, he stated that he has never force them do this – they just love using and displaying the talents.
Following the concert we strolled around deck for the sunset, but the evening was not over yet. The kitchen staff had prepared a Dutch Dessert Extravaganza by the Lido Pool. There were fruit carvings (the white, red & green thing is a polar bear & cub carved into the side of a watermelon), as well as many other dessert concoctions, and yes ice cream was served, too – I chose some chocolate chip ice cream tonight! Before they started serving the desserts, we heard Henry Cho’s mother-in-law say, "Yea, this is just what the kids need before trying to get them to go to bed."
One other tidbit that we failed to document during the week is the towel origami that would be displayed on our bed when we returned to our room at the end of each night. There was a sting ray, and a squid; tonight’s, the first one we thought about photographing, was a dog.
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