Last Day

Faithful Followers,


I am writing my last blog of this momentous trip 33,000 feet above the earth…now that’s a trip in itself! Even Bears have to marvel at the technology available to us! I am cruising along above the clouds with my fellow airline passengers, thinking about my last day on the ship.

Waking up on a bed that was moving from side to side and up and down, made me sit up and look outside the balcony window…powerful waves, from 10 to 12 feet high were crashing against the ship! Our ship was headed into 40 knot winds! And, I had a hard time moving my legs in a straight line. All I could do was sway from side to side and hang on to the railing in the hallway. My tummy felt a bit queasy, and I wondered how long this would last. Maybe I should go back to bed.

I took a deep breath and told myself to continue with my very important appointment of the day. I was invited to tour the ship’s galley with my four traveling friends. This was my opportunity to see where and how all the food is prepared for both the passengers and the crew. How do you cook for 2,800 folks?

This ship loaded 13 tons of food for our cruise! That’s 26,000 pounds! All the food is stored in an area the size of a football field, and when it’s time to prepare and cook, they use 5 kitchens! There were 7,000 pizzas, 1,000 pounds of pasta, 15,000 pounds of shrimp and almost 5,000 hamburgers…along with pounds and pounds of apples, bananas, melons… Eggs? 48,000. Milk? 900 gallons.

They had a huge grocery bill, too. It cost $350,000 for all the food.

The entire food service staff work long hours to prepare hundreds of meals each day, and then the waiters have to serve it quickly and efficiently, while it is hot. Just think of all the dishes, silverware, glasses, and pots and pans that have to be scrubbed and sanitized in very hot water. The staff is very careful to keep their hands washed while cooking and serving the food. I personally wash my paws with warm soapy water while I sing the Alphabet Song. I learned that from Gretchen.

My travel friends and I all enjoyed (too much!!) the appetizing food. Thank you Carnival ship Spirit! Now I need to get back to just blueberries,

Saying good bye to all the helpers on the ship who cleaned our cabin twice a day, who cooked for us and served us, who entertained us with music and funny shows was a wee bit sad. But, I have all my pictures (1,000) to help me remember each day and my adventures.

Traveling with my good friends, meeting new friends along the way, sharing experiences and fun times will give me sweet dreams for MANY nights to come.

I hope you will visit me back in the library and see my collection of travel pins. We will all be ready for reading adventures this summer as we CATCH THE READING EXPRESS!

Bear Hugs to All,

L.L. Bear

Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets

June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music

June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales

June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns

July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals

July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad

July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories

July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Catch Me in Ketchikan!

Dear Friends…


My day ended with a BIG party on the ship…but wait, I need to start at the beginning of the day! It was a bit gray and drizzly as we docked in Ketchikan, in Southeast Alaska, but that did not stop us from getting off the ship.


Ketchikan is known for its abundance of totem poles. The totem poles were carved from tall trees by the indigenous people to illustrate the stories of their families, or clans. Just like an artist would illustrate a book with colorful pictures, so the totem poles carvers would create richly carved animals that told a story. Each one is different and interesting as you learn about its background.


We walked and walked around Ketchikan, which is a perfect way to meet other travelers and to meet the people (and animals!) who live here. Many people have never met a Traveling Bear, and they stop to ask about me. I am only too eager to fill them in about my life as a curious traveling learner in the world. People want to take my picture; of course I oblige them, and remind them to keep eyes and ears tuned to the beauty and wonder of God’s world.

One fellow I met was PRETTY tall! He was a polar bear, who was invited to permanently live in one of the shops here. Can you see how small I am in comparison to him!

The Husky or Malamute is the guard dog in the same shop, and he was so curious about me…he wanted to chew my ears and paws…but in a very friendly way. I liked him, but I also like my ears and paws!!

In a little park, I had a chance to see three birds that live here. The bald eagle had been shot, and now she is being cared for and is recovering. She DID NOT want me to get near her, because she did not know me. But the hawk and the owl thought I was ok.

Red Tailed Hawk

Screech Owl

I thought it would be fun to take home one of the little Russian dolls that nest inside each other. The tiniest doll fits inside a larger doll and she fits inside the next larger one, and so on until you have just the largest doll! The Russian people have a history here, and so you can see Russian churches and shops with many brightly colored items from Russia.

Along our shopping route, we came to a shop called Ketchi-Candies. It was another opportunity to find a present, and to meet the girls who help make all those hand-dipped chocolates.

Our tour led us to another wonderful place to find out more about Alaska, The Discovery Place. Each section had informative displays of wildlife and how the first peoples lived in this vast land. Do you see the salmon strips drying on the racks? They dried the salmon so they could keep it over the winter for food.


I keep learning each day, but sometimes I just stop and have a good time laughing or singing. That’s what I did at the end of the day. The ship’s entertainers had a REALLY big show with costumes, music, singing and dancing. What fun!

Tomorrow will be my last day at sea and soon I’ll be back in the Aubrey Area Library, eager to see familiar people. In the meantime, I’m relaxing with a few books about Alaska.


See Y’all Soon,


L.L.Bear


Don't Forget to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Alaska’s Capital

Good Morning, Juneau!

Our ship is entering Juneau’s harbor, and the early rising Saturday sun is highlighting those magnificent mountains! What a grand way to start the day.

The dock was close to town, so we ambled over to the Alaska State Museum to learn more about the history of this state, which is larger than California and Texas combined! This carved Totem is a Beaver Pole, which was once at the entrance of a Native lodge, or home.

I was excited to see a replica of an eagle’s nest in this museum! Eagles construct their nests in large, older trees, in very high areas. They add to their nests each year, and some nests can be as big as a pick-up truck! Eagles live in this part of Alaska, so I hope to see a real one.

I learned how important ships were in the early days of explorers to Alaska. Here is a model of a ship with 5 masts! It must have gone really fast when the wind caught all those sails.


Did you know that the United State bought Alaska from Russia? The Russians first explored the Aleutian Islands and had settlements there. But in 1859 we purchased the Alaskan territory for 7.2 million dollars. Alaska became our 49th state in 1959. We saw the pen that President Eisenhower used to sign the statehood bill.

Since there are MANY rainy days in Juneau, everyone was out to enjoy the sunshine at the Maritime Festival. Juneau can only be reached by plane or ship, and most people either have a small float plane or a boat. The Maritime Festival was all about how and why the sea is important to Juneau people.

The Coast Guard showed how they rescue people from danger in the water. Fishermen were demonstrating how to prepare fish for grilling. 

I met a young naval officer from the J.F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier! I remember the trip I took on that ship with some other friends.

I was surprised to see the Juneau Public Library, right next to the wharf. It is the top level of a big parking garage! The only way the Juneau people would approve of and pay for a parking garage in this location, was to put the library on top!! Yeah for the library!!


Until Next Time…


L.L. Bear



Don't Forget to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Catch the Train

I woke up in Skagway on Friday morning…early Friday, because the sun was already bright at 4:17 am! I thought cruises were supposed to be restful!

No matter, I was eager to walk the short distance from the ship into town, after my blueberry pancake breakfast. Much of the old Skagway, from the Gold Rush days is still here, with some restoration.

My first visit was to the National Park Service Museum. The Park Rangers gave me a special badge, and made me a “junior ranger.” They know how much I love the wilderness, and like my old buddy, Smokey the Bear, I want to protect the forests, waters, and the mountains from waste and damage.

The museum had great exhibits about the Klondike Gold Rush. Hundreds of men came to get rich, but their lives were extremely difficult. They each had to have enough provisions for a whole year; each person had to somehow haul 2,000 pounds of supplies to his destination in Dawson. That meant going up a mountain, down the mountain to a lake, making a raft and floating down the river to reach the Klondike gold fields. Many men and their pack horses or mules never made it.

Time to catch the train! We boarded the train, pulled by Steam Engine 73, for our 54 mile roundtrip up the railway. Because the Gold Rush route was so difficult, the government decided to build a railway up the mountain to the pass. 35,000 men worked to build that train track! It was so dangerously high and challenging, that many men quit, and more had to be hired. Finally after 2 years, from 1898-1900, it was complete. This narrow gauge railroad is an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

But what a ride it is! The track is on the edge of the mountain, and it goes up and up to 3,000 feet. We went over a trestle bridge and through 2 tunnels, and marveled at the grandeur of each vista! Mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls! Chug, chug, chug…just like The Little Engine That Could saying, “I think I can, I think I can…” until we reached the Pass.

The snow at the top of the Pass was 6 to 8 feet thick and just now beginning to melt.

Since our trip was the first trip of this season, for the steam engine, a traditional toast was made to honor the men who built this railway:

     



    
     “We have camped by mountains and river.

     We have talked and told yarns together.

     We have broken bread at this table,

     And roughed it in all sorts of weather.

     So let us drink to our brother,

     Good luck and a life in clover.

     Good health and wealth, and a loving wife,

     And good rest when life is over.”

                                    Michael J. Heney 1899

After returning from our train adventure, we strolled over to the Skagway Library for a brief visit. They have a wonderful collection of children’s books about Alaska. I really liked the story How Alaska Got Its Flag. A 13 year old native boy entered the state flag design contest and his design won!

This was a day to remember!

Your Ranger Bear friend,

L.L. Bear

PS. All this talk about trains reminds me to remind you to:
 
Catch the Reading Express
 
...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Tracy Arm Cruising

Greetings!


The sun woke me up at 4:26 am! Days are lengthening, and we set our clock back another hour…so when it is 8 am in Texas, it is 5 am in Alaska. I was eager to get up, because we had a great day of sailing ahead.

We all bundled up and headed to the top deck for a hot breakfast, porridge and blueberries for me, and readied ourselves with cameras and binoculars. Michelle, the Naturalist, prepared us to look for eagles, sea lions, bears, moose, and lots of other smaller creatures. She gave us information about different kinds of glaciers and how they are formed, for we could expect to see a large glacier at the end of Tracy Arm…one of the waterways in this area.

The day was clear and crispy cold…just what we wanted to have in Alaska! Not one sight was disappointing. The Alaskan range loomed bold and craggy, covered with snow, while the lower mountains displayed stately, verdant conifers. The ship slowly and quietly made its way through the Arm, so as not to disturb the wildlife. I was happy to learn that this area has been designated a Protected Wilderness land; nothing but nature itself can ever change it. My animal friends will always have a home here.

Sea lions were floating along on some icebergs…good thing they are well-insulated for these icy temperatures! There were also some eagles perched on an iceberg! Some people saw a mother bear and her cubs…how could I have missed that?!

Here are some photos of the glacier as we get closer. The boat next to it helps you to see how large the glacier is!

I am continuing to marvel at God’s beautifully magnificent creation!

Tonight’s sunset at 9:16 pm was awash with color!

Until Tomorrow,

L.L. Bear

L.L. Bear sez: Remember to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets

June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music

June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales

June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns

July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals

July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad

July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories

July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Cruising in the Pacific

Dear Library Followers


We’re on our way, leaving the Port of Seattle, for the waters of our largest state, Alaska! The ship loomed gigantic as we drove up to the dock. She (ships are called “she”) has 12 decks and carries 2,000 passengers. I was really excited as we boarded. I had to tell them that I DID NOT have a runny nose, nor did I have a FEVER, so I DID NOT have to see the ship’s doctor!

From Deck 5 I could watch the workers load all the baggage and the containers of food for our voyage. The cranes lifted hundreds of pounds at a time as they transferred it from the dock to the ship.

Before we could “sail away” all the passengers had to muster…gather at certain places on the decks and learn what to do in case of an emergency. I am so glad they have enough smaller boats on this large ship for us to use if we need to.

We walked through the ship from bow to stern, top to bottom, to survey our home for the next week. Everything we need is here…restaurants, play areas, resting places (lounges), entertaining areas (theaters), a chapel, a LIBRARY!!, shops, a swimming pool…BRRRRR. I will have plenty to keep me busy.

Our stateroom has its own balcony and chairs, so I can sit outside and watch for whales with my binoculars. I have my own fur coat to add extra warmth…but it is still pretty cold as the ship moves through the ocean. Last week, this ship passed though pods of whales migrating north to Alaska to feed, and 300 humpback whales were spotted!!! I need to look for a “puff of smoke” above the water, that is the whale exhaling water from his blow hole. Each whale is as long as a schoolbus and weighs 90,000 pounds!!


The lady naturalist onboard told us all about the trip, the names of the different bays , straights, and arms of water, and the animals we should watch for. Of course, I KNOW all about the different bears in Alaska…the black bears and the brown bears. I’m sure you can look them up in a book or on the internet.


Well, back to my whale watching! I’ll keep you posted!


Your Traveling Reporter.


L.L. Bear

PS!!! Whales have been spotted!!! Do you see the pectoral fin (side fin) in this photo? WOW!!! AND porpoises, too…right outside our balcony!

L.L. Bear sez: Remember to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets

June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music

June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales

June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns

July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals

July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad

July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories

July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

Back in the USA

Good Evening Everyone!

It's almost time to cuddle under my quilt for sweet dreams, but I've got to share my day in Seattle, Washington with you! 

I met 2 new traveling companions this morning at the Seattle airport.  Were they ever thrilled to finally meet me, for they had been reading my messages.  I always love "bear hugs" and we became instant friends.

We were all hungry, so we headed to the wharf for some salmon chowder in a bread bowl...mmmm...  salmon.  Is there any tastier treat than salmon?

Whoops!  I thought that was "Granny Bear" when I jumped up into her strong, gentle paws.  Her smile in seeing me was comforting, but I had to apologize for my enthusiasm.  My Granny used to love to read stories to me, and that's when I decided I had to somehow get a library card so I could always have a book to keep me company.

We traveled up and down so many streets before we discoved the Market on Pike and First Avenue.  Wowie!  Is that ever a fun place!  I found so much healthy and organic food to nibble on...like freshly picked berries.

Can you believe how how much salmon is available here??  I didn't even have to get my paws wet and cold in the icy, fast, flowing streams in the mountains.  All I had to do is point to the ones I wanted!  Oh, yes, I did have to pay money for these.

You can find all kinds of things to buy here, from food to things people wear.  But, after an hour of trudging down the aisles, I found an easier way to get around.  It's a pedicab!

No one can leave Seattle without seeing the famous Space Needle.  There are three elevators that take you to the top; but, I guess I'll have to wait until another time to zip to the top.  Oh, well...

Now it is time for those dreams, dreams of cruising on a big ship to Alaska..

Night, night...

L.L. Bear 

L.L. Bear sez: Remember to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets
June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music
June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales
June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns
July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals
July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad
July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories
July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event

The 7th Day

Good Morning!

One week of traveling and I have seen so much, learned so much and met so many new friends who want to know what I am doing so far from Texas!  I tell them that my mission is to share what I see and learn as I travel, with friends back home.  What has this new day shown me?

Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver was built on an extinct volcano and on land that was a basalt quarry. Today, people ( and Bears!) come from all over to enjoy the beauty of its gardens.  It took many years to plant and care for all the trees, shrubs, and flowers.

The Japanese Gardens on the grounds of  The University of British Columbia also draw visitors who stroll about.  Who is that handsome Bear next to the stone pagoda?!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away."

Happy  Birthday to a special friend!!

L.L. Bear

L.L. Bear sez: Don't Forget to Catch the Reading Express

...this summer at the Aubrey Area Library! Get onboard for fun programs and great books with our Summer Reading Program!

Tuesdays @ 11 am....June 8 thru July 20

June 8 - Catch the Reading Express with Maggie and Puppets

June 15 - Dan Gibson, Stories and Banjo Music

June 22 - Texas Tom, Teller of Tall Tales

June 29 - The Mad Scientist Returns

July 6 - Creature Teacher and Animals

July 13 - Brett Roberts, the Magic Reading Railroad

July 20 - Tom McDermott, Music and Stories

July 27 - Ice Cream Party for Readers...Ticket Event