July 16, 2011

No rain today, despite the forecast that there would be rain, it was a lovely and sunny day.  There were a few clouds in the sky but it was quite warm.  Over 70 degrees I believe.  We spent a leisurely morning, talking, having a second cup of coffee and playing a little bit of Rummikub.  We had the rest of our salmon on a nice salad for lunch with toasty French bread and butter.  No so great for the diet but it sure was good!  After lunch we headed out.  Mom finished the large print book I got her, A Bend in the Road (I just finished it in regular print myself) so the library was our first stop of the day.  After her selections and checking them out we stayed there and read some of the local news in the papers provided.  They keep several weeks of past papers on the shelf so I was able to read about that house fire that we saw the smoke from the night mom flew in.  It was actually a triplex that burned down.  No one was injured, thankfully. 

Surprisingly there are no ships in port today.  It is very quiet.  From the library we walked to the Discovery Center.  We weren’t sure it would even be open but thankfully it was.  Today the normal entrance fee of $5. is waived since there are no ships in port.  For us it didn’t matter as the National Parks Pass would get us in free anyway, being “seniors” and all.  We arrived about the time the next showing of the introductory film was about to run.  It was interesting and the Discovery Center itself was really comprehensive and worth the visit.  There were many interesting facets of Alaskan life including the past, present, and cultural of the first people here along with their way of life.  Back home and a little reading, resting, and snack before we head off to the play and crab feed.

The Fish Pirate’s Daughter runs for the month of  July and has done so for the past 45 years.  It was enjoyable but let’s face it, not fantastic.  The crab was good and plentiful but not as good as it has been when in season at home.  With the crab they served coleslaw, corn pudding, vegetables, and  rolls with butter.  Dessert, which John had was a brownie.  We had a nice Cabernet-Shiraz from South Africa.  Supposedly the same wine was served at Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Banquet.  The play was funny and entertaining as the audience could hiss, cheer, and boo at the appropriate times.  We sat with some nice locals who had company visiting from Montana.  Clearly many in the audience had seen this play many times and thoroughly enjoyed making loud (and appropriate) comments at just the right time.  It was an enjoyable evening.  It was about a ten minute walk to the funicular and then up, the a couple minute walk to the Ted Ferry Civic Center where the play and dinner took place.  When we got out of the building at 9:25 pm it was still very light, looked like about 7pm, and we went on home. The city seems almost deserted, there was only one person on Creek Street as we walked home.  It was a great time to take photos of all the store signs along they way.