Shayla's Journal

Each day of our vacation, Shayla wrote in her journal. I’ll recap our trip through her words:

Tuesday, June 19, 2007: Today we drove for two hours and then we got to the airport. We had to sit on the plane for a little bit, but then the plane took off. For an hour I read Christi’s, “Dr. Amelia’s Boredom Survival Guide”. Then I played Gameboy for a bit. A boy came and sat with me. The flight was almost seven hours long. When I woke up we were in Anchorage and we went to the hotel where we met Aunt Marty and Uncle Jeff. I slept on a roll away bed.


Wednesday, June 20, 2007: Today I rode on a train. I saw a moose, doll sheep and a lot of bald eagles. The ride to the ocean was 2 ½ hours. There was a glass dome where we got to sit. Next, we stood in a long line. Then we got on the ship. I got my finger stuck in the balcony door. It hurt. Then I went exploring the ship with my dad and then with my mom. We played a lot.

Thursday, June 21, 2007: Today we rode on the ship the whole day. First we swam. The pool had ocean water in it. The pool was hotter than the hot tub! Then we want to waltzing lessons. I danced with my dad. Mom helped my dad dance. Next we went to high tea. I had a scone and a sandwich and a doughnut. Then we met our waiter for the week. Then we ate. I had steak. Then we went to a show. Then people danced and dance different music. I love the shows! Then we went to bed. I found three chocolates on a pillow.

Friday, June 22, 2007: Today I got to go to Sitka. There was kayaking. We saw star fish and seals. It was beautiful. Me, my mom and dad kayaked all together. A seal named Lou-Seal, was really close to our kayak. We ate chowder. Then we went to meet some friends who live in Sitka. We saw a dig and lots of totem poles. We went to The Raptor center. Our friends showed us their house and dogs. They drove us around the town. We went back to the boat and ate dinner. I had steak. Dad and I played chess with big pieces on the boat. So far, I have five and dad has two.


Saturday, June 23, 2007: Today we rode a bus to a station. There we got into a helicopter and it was fun. We flew over Juneau and saw glaciers. It was cool. Then we arrived on top of the glacier where everything was white. It was the dog sled farm. I got to do the demonstration to show how to be a musher and work the sled and how to sit down. Then I drove the dog sled with eight dogs for twenty minutes. Mom drove a little bit when I rode. Then the helicopter flew us back. I went to the kid’s playroom for four hours while mom and dad and Marty and Jeff went hiking. Then I played chess with dad and I won.


Sunday, June 24, 2007: Today I rode in a bus with my family for two hours into the Yukon (Canada). Then went horseback riding. My horse’s name was Spirit. Dad’s horse was Trooper and mom’s was Jade. We rode up a huge mountain and looked over Emerald Lake. It was fun to go up and down the hills. We went back to the ship and ate dinner. I had steak. Next we all went to a show again with dancers and singers. It was fun. I took a shower. It's the size of a chair. I had a good day.

Monday, June 25, 2007: Today we went to Ketchikan. We didn’t have any plans so dad rented a fishing pole and we fished for one hour. Our bait was fish eggs. Then I went to the kid room on the ship to play with my friends. My parents went on a hiking trail. I got my face painted like a dog. Our two counselors had a fake wedding. I was one of the brides’ dogs. Then I saw a show with the camp Carnival kids. Next I went to eat dessert with my mom and dad and aunt and uncle. Next, I saw the show again this time with them. It was the best show!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007: Today I went to the kid room and got my face painted again. Then I went with mom to the library where we read and played Battleship. Then we sat in the hot tub. Next dad took me swimming for an hour. We met mom for high tea and I played Battleship with her again. Then we went to another fancy dinner. I ate steak. I like the fancy dinners. I got to dance with the waiter to “Hey Baby”. We saw another good show with dancers and singers and went to bed.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007: Mom said she wanted to stay two more days. I said I wanted to stay two more years! We got off the ship in Vancouver, BC and went to a hotel. The hotel had free bike rentals. I rode a tandem. I had to pedal. It was fun. We went on a long bike ride and then ate dinner in Chinatown. We sat in the hot tub on the roof top!
Shayla loved this "art car" driving around Vancouver. The driver even gave her a souviner - little plastic car parts. She took great delight and I believe made his day!

Thursday, June 28th, 2007: We went to the airport and stood in long lines. Aunt Marty and Uncle Jeff were there. Their flight got cancelled. Our flight was five hours. I read and played Gameboy. Dad drove home and we went to McDonald’s and got home at night. Grandma Nee Nee and Laura took care of my pets. I am glad to see my pets. Buckeye meowed all night she was so happy to see us.

Thank you, dearest Shayla for suggesting a most incredible vacation destination. You are a gem - a rare and precious find and I am so blessed to be your mother. Just like your sister, you are an excellent traveler - always making the best of "bumps" that come in the road and always with a beautiful smile and great attitude! I am very lucky!!

Thank you very much to all who "played along" with Shayla's little guessing game either by posting or emailing your guesses. Shayla had a ball, learned a bit about geography and even got some new vacation ideas. Gee, thanks - hee hee!

ANGELA'S MOST TREASURED MOMENT: During our dog sled adventure, I was sitting in the seat while Shayla was being me being the "musher". Our guide asked her if she'd like to send them running and she said, "YES!!!" He told her to say, "Hike!" In her little tiny voice she squeaked, "hike". Two of the dogs right in front of me jumped to all fours and dug in. The other six in front of them turned their heads back as if to say, "What was that?"

SHAYNE's FAVORITE QUOTE: Follow Fawn through the woods. (Our "sister of a friend" who lives in Sitka met up with a friend named "Fawn". She lead us to where some college students were participating in a dig. Shayne thought it was so funny......follow "Fawn" through the woods.