It is with fond memories that I wrap up my Alaskan Cruise series and tell you about our last port of call: Victoria, BC.  Our last shore excursion was a visit to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens.   Can I be honest here? We booked the Alaskan cruise to get out of the Texas summer heat and to see mountains and glaciers and bears and whales and by day seven of the cruise, we had seen what we came to see.

To make the tour, we’d have to get on a bus at 6:00 in the evening for a 45-minute ride to the Gardens. After the tour, we would get back to the ship about 11:00, just in time to grab a few hours sleep before we had to disembark at 7 am and prepare for a long day getting home.

I had seen gardens before. My hometown of Houston has great gardens. I had visited gardens in many other cities. Did I really need to see one more garden? I was ready to just relax on the ship, have a cocktail, a nice dinner and then turn in early.

But since the excursion was already PAID FOR, I decided to go. And I am SO GLAD I did. You see, Butchart Gardens are truly special and are like nothing I have ever seen! Here are the 5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.

5 Best Reasons To Visit Beautiful Butchart Gardens

 

The motor coach that took us from the ship to Butchart Gardens came with the most wonderful tour guide. In addition to showing us the sites around GORGEOUS Victoria (note: must come back here when I have more time), he told us why Butchart Gardens, established in 1904, was a Canadian national treasure and a designated National Historic Site of Canada.

Butchart Gardens were the creation of Jennie Butchart, who had the vision of beautifying an old limestone quarry that was part of her husband Robert’s cement plant. When you see pictures of what the gardens USED to be, you quickly realize that Jennie Butchart was an extraordinary visionary.

Visit Butchart Gardens Because All The Cool Kids Are Going

If you are a person who has to see and be seen where EVERYBODY IS GOING, Butchart Gardens is the place for you. It is visited by over million visitors annually.

At Butchart Gardens, You Get To See 7 Gardens in 1!

The gardens are a skillful mixture of rare and exotic shrubs, trees and flowers, many of which were collected by the Butcharts during their world travels. Over the years, the 55 -acre Butchart Gardens have continually expanded to become 7 different gardens with plants from countries around the world.

• Sunken Garden
• Rose Garden
• Japanese Garden
• Star Pond
• Italian Garden
• Piazza
• Mediterranean Garden

Visit Butchart Gardens to enjoy all the plants, flowers and so much more!

Way to state the obvious, duh? Like I said before, I thought going to Butchart Gardens would be like visiting any other garden. It’s not. Spend time here walking along the paths of perennials, trees, and shrubs. See ponds, fountains, Quarry Lake and the Rose Carousel. There are so many varieties of plants, trees, flowers and shrubs, you will see many that you have never seen before.

Visit Butchart Gardens for the Seed and Gift Store

More than just an afterthought, as are so many tourist attraction gift shops, this expansive gift shop features hand packaged seeds, souvenirs and handmade gifts from local artisans.

Other things to know about Butchart Gardens

While strolling through the Gardens, there are a number of places that require walking up and down stairs. If stairs are an obstacle, there are routes you can take to avoid stairs and still see the gardens. These routes are well-marked.
Butchart Gardens has 3 restaurants. The Dining Room Restaurant for Tea and Fine Dining. The Blue Poppy Restaurant, a moderately priced cafeteria. The Coffee Shop with sandwiches, pastries, ice-cream and coffee.
Hours for all three vary by season. Since we were visiting in the evening, we planned to have dinner at the Gardens. By the time we were ready to eat, the Coffee Shop was the only restaurant that was open. Keep this in mind when you visit. Check to see when the restaurants are open and plan accordingly.

I’m so glad that we spent the evening visiting Butchart Gardens on the last night of our Alaskan Cruise. Having the time to enjoy such a peaceful environment filled with beauty was the perfect way to end our vacation.

 

This post first appeared on Sweet Tea and Saving Grace.

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White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

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One of the most highly-recommended and eagerly anticipated shore excursions on our Alaskan cruise was the White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour. Beginning in Skagaway, there are several different types of tours that you can take along this scenic line that was built in 1898 as transportation for tens of thousands of men and women on the hunt for gold in the Canadian Klondike.

White Pass and Yukon Route Railway Tour

The tour begins with a train ride in old-fashioned parlor cars that take you up 3,000 feet to the summit of White Pass. At Fraser, BC, you transfer into a deluxe motor coach and travel along the historic trail of ’98 to the White Pass summit and into the Yukon.

The Yukon Suspension Bridge

One of the highlights of the tour is a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge that rises 57 feet above the Tutshi River Canyon and is 200 feet across. I was only expecting a quick stop and walk across the bridge, but there is so much more at the bridge to see.

There is a restaurant where we were treated to a bowl of bison chili as part of our tour (nothing to write home about). If you don’t like the chili, there are hamburgers and sandwiches you can order, but it is very expensive. I recommend packing a snack.

The walk across the bridge was fun and the views of the Tutshi River and mountains were breathtaking. I am usually afraid of heights, but the walk across this bridge was exhilarating and breathtaking. It was totally secure and fenced in – nothing to be afraid of.   I loved looking down at the rapids of the river and the scenic mountains in the distance.

This attraction also includes large, detailed, 3-D exhibits with information on:

• The trails, geology, glaciers and traditional life of the area from Skagaway to Whitehorse.
• Human History including First Nations and stories of the gold rush.
• The natural history of the area and how High Country nature at 3,000 feet above sea level varies from the coastal environment at Skagway.
• A walking trail that leads to an authentic trapper’s cabin.

There are beautiful flowers throughout the area, most of which is wheelchair accessible. There ARE parts that ARE NOT wheelchair accessible, but beautiful views can be enjoyed at every part of this great attraction.

After our time at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, we took our deluxe motor coach back down the highway to Skagway. We had a wonderful tour guide, many scenic views and time to stop for more photos.

This tour was one of the highlights of our trip! I  highly recommend it!

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4 Fun Things to Do in Ketchikan

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One of the most fun things to do when you are planning a cruise is to look at all of the shore excursions that are available at each of the ports of call. There is something for everyone – adventure, nature, food, fun – all for a PRICE. Some are worth it, some not so much. In this series I will tell you about our shore excursions – some booked through the cruise line and some exploring we did on our own. Our first – A do-it-yourself Ketchikan Shore Excursion.

 

4 Things To Do In Ketchikan

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

Your Ketchikan Shore Excursion

Ketchikan is the southernmost city in Alaska and in the middle of the Tongass National Forest, which is part rainforest.  You will likely have a little rain when you visit Ketchikan, so bring an umbrella and rainproof jacket. This is my favorite waterproof windbreaker because it folds up into a little zippered pocket – perfect to carry in your bag without a lot go bulk. When we got off the ship, it was drizzling a bit, but soon cleared off and we had a lovely morning.

We did not book a ship-sponsored shore excursion in Ketchikan. Instead, we did a little exploring on our own. As you get off the ship and make the short walk into town, there is a Visitor’s Centers with clean restrooms (always appreciated) and information on what to do in and around Ketchikan. Everything is this quaint little town is well marked, making it very easy to get around and find where you want to go.

As you walk around town, you will be struck with its natural beauty. The plants and foliage are lush.

 

If you like to shop, especially for jewelry, there are plenty of shops! We found this at every port in Alaska!

Totem Heritage Center

I was interested in experiencing some of the rich Native American history that is part of Ketchikan, which included seeing the Totem Poles. There are replicas of totem poles throughout Ketchikan. If you want to see “real” totem poles that aren’t replicas, visit the Totem Heritage Center that is operated by the City of Ketchikan. It is a short walk from downtown and has the world’s largest collection of unrestored 19th-century totem poles. Cost to get in: $5

[bctt tweet=”See largest collection of 19th Century unrestored totem poles-Totem Heritage Center-Ketchikan.” username=”MySideof50″]

Ketchikan Creek & Falls

Also a short walk from downtown, this salmon spawning ground is a site to behold.

Beautiful, clear water, green trees and flowers surround the creek and falls.

Annabelle’s Famous Keg & Chowder House

We arrived before 11:30 for an early lunch and had the most delicious clam chowder and Pub Style Halibut (beer battered & fried) that I have ever tasted. If chowder and seafood aren’t your thing, they have plenty of other choices – burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. As we were leaving a little after noon, there was a line out the door to get in. But I told the people in line that it was definitely worth the wait and I don’t say that about many places.

 Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

This was recommended by several people. We elected not to go, but our friends who were traveling with us said it was quite entertaining. If you were taking a trip with kids, this would be a must see. If you book this show through the cruise line, it costs a bit more, but this covers your bus ride to the show, which you’ll want to take. So book it through the cruise line.

Ketchikan was our first taste of Alaska. Beautiful town and a lovely introduction to this great state!

Next up: Favorite Shore Excursions from Skagaway.

Going on an Alaskan Cruise and don’t know what to pack? Get my Ultimate Alaskan Cruise Packing list – based on what I took (way too much) and what I actually wore! Get it here.

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Mid-summer is the high season for Alaskan cruises. I just returned from the Celebrity Solstice 7-day Tracy Arm Fjord Cruise and must say, it was the trip of a lifetime. I highly recommend it. But trying to PACK for it was a bear! Here’s what I learned about packing for an Alaskan Cruise.

Packing For An Alaskan Cruise

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.  I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!

“Dress in Layers” They Said

When I asked people who had been what to take, everyone said “dress in layers”. What did that mean? Did it mean long underwear, ski pants, heavy sweater, thermal socks, fur lined boots, parka, hat, gloves and a scarf? Those are the layers I dressed in on a trip to Germany in December.

Or did it mean, capris, t-shirt and a vest?

Not knowing, I packed EVERYTHING and ended up paying a $100 heavy bag charge. And I only ended up wearing about 1/3 of what I took.

Here’s what you should know about what to wear on Alaskan Cruises:

• When you are inside on the ship, you can dress like you do at home because you are in a climate-controlled environment.
• When you are outside on the ship, it will be colder. It’s windy and you will be sailing past glaciers. To just take a walk outside, jeans, sweater and a jacket (I had a leather jacket) will be fine. If you are spending a lot of time outside, bundle up a little more. Maybe a hat, gloves and a scarf.
• Evenings.  If you are eating in the dining room with the scheduled seating, there is a suggested dress code each night. My regular evening wear consisted of black pants and a nice top – much like I would wear at home to eat out at a nice restaurant. My husband wore slacks and a button down.
• Most cruises have done away with the “formal night”. Celebrity designates two nights as “evening chic” where a cocktail dress or dressy pants and fancy top are acceptable. I wore nice black pants and a lace top. My husband wore slacks, a button down and sport coat.
• Shore excursions. On all our shore excursions, the temperatures were mild, ranging from about 55 – 70 degrees. It was windy, so it did feel a little cooler at times. I was fine in jeans and a long sleeved tee with my windbreaker. The windbreaker added a little extra warmth, shielded me against the wind, could have served as raingear if needed and was easily folded up and put in my purse when I took it off. This is my favorite windbreaker because it folds up into its own little pocket. So easy to carry in your bag until you need it without a lot of bulk.

Here is what I packed for our cruise, including a pre-cruise overnight stay in Seattle.

What I packed	What I wore	Notes
4 light sweaters	3
3 heavy sweaters	1
4 long sleeved tees	4
1 heavy hoodie	0
3 pairs cropped pants	2
1 light weight vest	1
4 pairs jeans	4
2 pairs black slacks	1
3 dressy tops for dinner	3
1 flat sandals	1
1 strappy heels	1
1 pair wedges	1
2 pairs tennis shoes	1	I took 2 in case of rain and one pair got wet. I would do this again.
1 pair black flats	1	Really didn’t need – could have worn tennis shoes.
2 sets workout clothes	1	Only worked out once.
1 warm scarf	0
1 warm hat	0
1 set long underwear	0
15 pairs of socks	7	Was afraid of my feet getting wet. 🙂
1 leather jacket	1
1 Windbreaker	1	Used for every shore excursion.

Other Items to take on an Alaskan Cruise

• • Good camera – YES . I’m glad I didn’t rely on just my iPhone to get some great pictures of the breathtaking scenery we saw. I bought this one: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 Digital SLR with 18-55mm STM Lens and found it to be an excellent first DSLR camera.

• Laptop – YES.
• Chargers – phone, Ipad, Fitbit, laptop & camera – YES.
• Power Strip – YES . There will only be a couple of plugs in your stateroom. My husband had 2 phones in addition to all my electronics. The couple we travelled with both used a C-Pap Machine, so definitely needed a plug on each side of their bed. The Power Strip is a must.

[bctt tweet=”A Power Strip is a Must Take for your Alaskan Cruise.” username=”MySideof50″]

• Downy Wrinkle Release – Depending on what clothes you take, this may come in handy. We didn’t need it.
• Garbage Bags – YES. We used for dirty clothes.
• Evening Purse – YES.  I used mine on “evening chic” night.
• Backpack – YES. Great for shore excursions when you are carrying a camera, bottled water, snacks and will be bringing back souvenirs. This is a lightweight one with two bottled water holders on the outside. Very convenient, especially if you are hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
• Insect Repellant – Was recommended, but we didn’t need it.
• Headphones or earbuds  – Yes. One of the reasons my husband and I have managed to stay married for 33 years is that we have our own TV’s at home. We had to actually SHARE one for 7 days and since there is not one show in the entire universe that we both like, he could watch what he wanted on the room TV and I watched Netflix on my iPAD with the headphones.

Other things to remember:

• We were blessed to have absolutely perfect weather and no rain. Not having any rain during a cruise to Alaska is unusual. It was recommended that we take two pairs of walking shoes in case it rained and 1 pair got wet.
• If you are taking shore excursions where you will be riding outside on a boat or hiking on a glacier, you will need to take some very warm clothes.
• You will not sweat, so unless you spill something on your clothes or just can’t bring yourself to wear an outfit twice, you CAN wear your clothes twice.
• You are only wearing your evening clothes for a couple of hours every night, so you can wear them again. Believe me – no one will notice.
• I wore the same “evening chic” outfit both nights.

If you’ve been on an Alaskan cruise, is there anything I missed?

If you’ll be taking an Alaskan cruise, are you wondering about something you are planning to take?

Leave your responses in the comments! I respond to all comments.

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