Alaska Cruise Tour Question (What's included?)

[sirclean]

In 2024 I turn 60 and I want to celebrate with a long Alaska Adventure. Nearly a decade ago to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary we had a family trip that included a short cruise tour.  We did an 'on your own'.

This time I am considering a Connoisseur Tour.  I know that it includes a contact person and some meals (mostly breakfast and dinner).  I think that some land excursions are included too.  However, I dont see anything online or in the 2023 travel guide indicating what excursions are included (or how many).

 

Can anyone with experience in the  Connoisseur Cruise Tour (especially if it included Fairbanks) discuss if there are excursions included in the land portion of the cruise tour? 

If you have any comments on your experiences, please include them!  Any advice or suggestions?  What would you have done differently?

 

[mooseridge]

Sorry I'm off thread but just saw Holland announced a 24 day tour of Alaska for 2024.  You might want to check that out just for fun.  Unprecedented.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Sorry, I have never done a Connoisseur Tour (would like to!) but your question got me curious.  In regards to whether or not excursions are "included"...I would think not.  I started a "mock" booking for a Connoisseur Tour that included Fairbanks and as you progress thru the booking it lets you see excursions.  For each location there are listed excursions along with their associated cost.  So...it sure looks like excursions are "extra".  Maybe someone who has done this (as you requested) can chime in and add.

[Sea Hag]

@Thrak did a connoisseur cruise tour. I'm sure he can fill you in on that.

[sirclean]

Thanks for the information.I tried to email/message Thrak, but I got a signal that "this feature is disabled".  I dont know if that is in general, or if for some reason, I am disabled (... or rather that feature on my account is disabled!)

[Thrak]

5 hours ago, sirclean said:

Can anyone with experience in the  Connoisseur Cruise Tour (especially if it included Fairbanks) discuss if there are excursions included in the land portion of the cruise tour? 

If you have any comments on your experiences, please include them!  Any advice or suggestions?  What would you have done differently?

 

Yes. A number of excursions were included with the Connoisseur tours we took. We've done two of them to Alasaka -13 days in 2016 and 15 days in 2019. Of course those day counts both include the 7 day southbound cruise after the land portion.

 

First cruistour:

 

FAIRBANKS PRINCESS RIVERSIDE LODGE
Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge 4477 Pike's Landing Road Fairbanks, AK
99709 Phone: (907) 455-4477 Fax:  (907) 455-5094 Check-in time is 3:00 pm. Check-out time is 11:00 am. When making airline reservations please be aware of check-in and check-out times as many flights in/out of Fairbanks are in the middle of the night. Due to high capacity in the summer, the hotel cannot always accommodate early check-in or late check-out. You may need to book an
additional night.

 

Fairbanks
WELCOME BREAKFAST Welcome banquet breakfast

AM GOLD DREDGE 8/PM RIVERBOAT
Gold Dredge 8 & Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise Enjoy a close up view of the TransAlaska pipeline and a presentation about the history and operation. Then hop aboard the hand-built replica of the
narrow gauge Tanana Valley Railroad, which delivered supplies to gold camps in the early 1900s. The
conductor will regale you with stories and songs from days of yore along the way. You will then
tour Gold Dredge 8, a National Historical Monument. After your tour, you have a chance to pan for
gold yourself. You will find gold - we guarantee it! After panning, visit the gift shop and enjoy
complimentary coffee and fresh homemade cookies prior to reboarding the train for your return trip.
Next, board the only remaining authentic Alaskan sternwheeler for a cruise along the Chena and
Tanana rivers. The Riverboat Discovery features an open sun deck, and heated indoor viewing areas
equipped with video monitors. Along the way, you will see a bush pilot perform a takeoff and landing demonstration, watch a sled dog demonstration and stop by the Old Chena Indian Village for a glimpse into Alaskan life and history. This tour is narrated and complimentary coffee and donuts are served along the way. Lunch is included at the riverboat landing.

 

Note: We thought the riverboat trip would be dorky and worthless but we enjoyed it both times we did the cruise tour out of Fairbanks.

THREE COURSE DINNER (CONNOISSEUR TOURS) Private Fairbanks Connoisseur Dinner

 

Note: Excellent dinner with beer and wine included. Held in a large conference type room.

 

Fri 06/24/16 Fairbanks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast in Fairbanks A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is
only valid in Fairbanks. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity.
Not reedemable for cash.

 

COACH: FAIRBANKS TO DENALI
Motorcoach: Fairbanks to Denali Travel time is approximately 3 hours (121 miles).

 

Fri 06/24/16 Fairbanks
WELCOME BREAKFAST
Welcome banquet breakfast
AM GOLD DREDGE 8/PM RIVERBOAT
Gold Dredge 8 & Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise Enjoy a close up view of the TransAlaska pipeline and a presentation about the history and operation. Then hop aboard the hand-built replica of the narrow gauge Tanana Valley Railroad, which delivered supplies to gold camps in the early 1900s. The conductor will regale you with stories and songs from days of yore along the way. You will then
tour Gold Dredge 8, a National Historical Monument. After your tour, you have a  chance to pan for gold yourself. You will find gold - we guarantee it! After panning, visit the gift shop and enjoy complimentary coffee and fresh homemade cookies prior to reboarding the train for your return trip. Next, board the only remaining authentic Alaskan sternwheeler for a cruise along the Chena and Tanana rivers. The Riverbaot Discovery features an open sun deck, and heated indoor viewing
areas equipped with video monitors. Along the way, you will see a bush pilot perform a takeoff and landing demonstration, watch a sled dog demonstration and stop by the Old Chena Indian Village for a glimpse into Alaskan life and history. This tour is narrated and complimentary coffee and donuts are served along the way. Lunch is included at the riverboat landing.

 

THREE COURSE DINNER (CONNOISSEUR TOURS)
Private Fairbanks Connoisseur Dinner

 

Sat 06/25/16 Fairbanks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast in Fairbanks A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid in Fairbanks. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity. Not reedemable for cash.

 

COACH: FAIRBANKS TO DENALI
Motorcoach: Fairbanks to Denali Travel time is approximately 3 hours (121 miles).

 

Sat 06/25/16   Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
Afternoon at leisure Use this time to enhance your Alaska experience with an optional land excursion. Stop by the Tour Desk for more information, or reserve an excursion in advance by
visiting the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com.

 

MUSIC OF DENALI DINNER THEATER
Music of Denali Dinner Theater Relive the Alaska wilderness adventure! Discover the legend of the
first expedition to the summit of Denali in a rollicking musical comedy that will have you clapping
and singing along with the cast right up to the finale. Enjoy a hearty, family style meal featuring
smokehouse bbq, Alaska salmon and mouthwatering accompaniments served prior to show time. Complimentary coffee and tea are served. Spirits are available for purchase. This feel-good show takes you to new heights of entertainment - all the way to the summit of "The Great One"! Tour is 2 hours (including 1 hour show) Notes: Ages 5 and under are free.

 

NOTE: MUSIC OF DENALI DINNER THEATER was totally lame and we were sooooo glad it wasn't included in our second cruise tour.

DENALI PRINCESS WILDERNESS LODGE
Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Mile 238.5 Parks Highway Denali National Park, AK 99755 Phone:
(907) 683-2282 Check-in time is 3:30pm and check-out is 11:00am.

 

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
SOURDOUGH BREAKFAST BUFFET
Sourdough Breakfast Buffet at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge Start your morning with a quick stop at the Music of Denali Theater where you can enjoy a hearty buffet breakfast. A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. service includes non-alcoholic beverage, buffet breakfast and 15% gratuity. Not
redeemable for cash.

DENALI PARK TOUR OPTIONS
Choose Your Own National Park Tour! Your cruisetour currently includes the park tour listed below; however, Princess offers you the flexibility to choose your preferred experience from four unique tour options. To learn more about your Denali National Park tour and other park tour options, please call your travel agent or Princess at 1-800-774-6237 no later than 21 days prior to travel.

 

TUNDRA WILDERNESS TOUR DEPART 7:00-7:30A
Morning Tundra Wilderness Tour Learn about the history, culture and wildlife of Denali National Park. A morning Tundra Wilderness Tour takes you deep into the six million acres of untouched wilderness for the best wildlife and Denali vistas. Travel to at least Toklat River (mile 53). This tour is approximately 8 1/2 hours in duration and includes a snack pack. Due to Park Service regulations, school buses are used. The buses do not have restrooms; however, rest stops are made every 90 minutes. Please check your Welcome Envelope upon arrival for your exact departure time and tour number. Tour times are subject to change without previous notice. The tour departs between 7-7:30 am.

 

AFTERNOON AT LEISURE
Afternoon at leisure Use this time to enhance your Alaska experience with an optional land excursion. Stop by the Tour Desk for more information, or reserve an excursion in advance by visiting the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com.

 

3 COURSE DINNER AT KING SALMON REST.
Three course dinner at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge's King Salmon Restaurant. Service includes nonalcoholic beverage, appetizer or soup or salad, one entree, dessert, tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.
 

Note:  No idea what the pricing is now but, in 2016, my wife had the $55 crab dinner. Loved being able to order whatever dinner we wanted.

 

Mon 06/27/16 Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT KING SALMON REST.
Breakfast at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge's King Salmon Restaurant. Service includes nonalcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

 

COACH: DENALI TO MCKINLEY
Motorcoach: Denali to McKinley Travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours (112 miles).

 

Mon 06/27/16 Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (talkeetna)
EVENING AT LEISURE
Evening at leisure Use this time to enhance your Alaska experience with an optional land excursion. Stop by the Tour Desk for more information, or reserve an excursion in advance by visiting the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com.

3 COURSE DINNER MOUNTAIN VIEW REST.
Three course dinner at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge's Mountain View Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, appetizer or soup or salad, one entree, dessert, tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

 

Note: If you ask at the main lodge they will call you no matter what the time if the mountain comes out from behind the clouds. You must as them each night. We didn't know that so didn't get a call the second night when the mountain came out. Fortunately, when we went out that next morning the mountain was out in all it's glory. We had people in our group who were there for the 5th time and had never seen the mountain properly. They were soooooooooooo happy to have it finally happen for them.

 

Wed 06/29/16 Mt. Mckinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (talkeetna)
BREAKFAST AT MOUNTAIN VIEW REST.
Breakfast at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge's Mountain View Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

TIPPING INFORMATION
Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your tour director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to
extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The following is the recommended industry standard for tour directors in Alaska: Tour Director: 5.00-7.00 USD per person per day Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

 

TRANSFER: LODGE TO RAIL DEPOT
Transfer: McKinley to Talkeetna Travel time is approximately 1 hour (50 miles).
RAIL: TALKEETNA TO WHITTIER
Direct to the Wilderness Rail: Talkeetna to Whittier Travel time to Whittier is approximately 5 hours (174 miles). The train is scheduled to depart Talkeetna at 1:30 p.m. arriving in Whittier at 6:30 p.m. Please have your cruise documents and passport in your possession and ready for your arrival in Whittier. Also, please note that luggage storage on the train is limited to the area immediately under
your feet.
1:30pm - 6:30pm

 

Wed 06/29/16 Anchorage (whittier), Alaska
LUNCH ABOARD TRAIN
Lunch aboard the train Service includes a non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, dessert, tax, and 15% gratuity. A meal voucher will be given to you on the train. It's not redeemable for cash and is only valid on the train.

 

Wed 06/29/16 Anchorage (whittier), Alaska Depart

[sirclean]

Thank you so much for the information!  I think that I had read your previous posts about the trip and enjoyed the information.  There was another post that was old with a lot of detail and pictures but I could not find it and didnt bookmark it when I first read it!

For the more recent tour with the additional 2 days, did you go to another hotel as well?

When/how did you get the information on the excursions that were included?  (I see the meals that are provided, but dont see the excursions listed). 

Any recommendations or suggestions?  Anything that you wish that you had known before you got there?

Any expectations on going again? IF so, what tour would be your preference?

[Thrak]

The second Connoisseur Cruise tour started out the same as the first one with all of the Fairbanks stuff - meals and excursions. Also went to Denali lodge and did the same meals, excursions there. From there the tour differed. We didn't visit McKinley lodge at all but, instead, headed to the Copper River Lodge.

=================================

 

Tue 05/21/19          Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT KING SALMON REST.

Breakfast at the DenaliPrincess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome
envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge's King Salmon Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

COACH: DENALI TO COPPER RIVER

Motorcoach: Denali to Copper River In an effort  to provide you with the best Alaska experience in
the shortest period of time, this day of travel is extensive. Dress in layers and bring any necessary medication.   Much of your travel today is on the Denali Highway, an unpaved gravel road. Travel time is approximately 9 hours (248 miles) including rest stops and time for lunch on your
own.

 

Tue 05/21/19          Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
3 COURSE DINNER AT TWO RIVERS REST.

Three course dinner at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included
in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Copper River Princess Wilderness
Lodge' Two Rivers Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage,appetizer or soup or salad,
one entree, dessert,tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

 

COPPER RIVER PRINCESS LODGE

Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge 1 Brenwick Craig Road Mile 102
Richardson Highway Copper Center,AK 99573 Phone:(907) 822-4000
Fax: (907) 822-4044  Check-in is 4:00pm

 

Wed 05/22/19      Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT TWO RIVERS RESTAURANT

Breakfast at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your
welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge's Two Rivers Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax, and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

DAY AT LEISURE

Day at leisure Use this time to enhance your Alaska experience with an optionalland excursion. Stop
by the Tour Desk for more information, or reserve an excursion in advance by visiting the Cruise
Personalizer on princess.com.

 

3 COURSE DINNER AT TWO RIVERS REST.

Three course dinner at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge' Two Rivers Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage,appetizer or soup or salad, one entree, dessert,tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

 

Thu 05/23/19          Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT TWO RIVERS RESTAURANT

Breakfast at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your
welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge's Two Rivers Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax, and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

COACH: COPPER TO KENAI

Motorcoach: Copper River to Kenai Travel time is approximately 9 hours.

 

Note: Horrendously loooooooooooong bus ride. Wouldn't have been so bad if the driver hadn't thought he was incredibly interesting and pretty much never shut up the entire time. He drove everybody crazy!

 

Thu 05/23/19          KenaiPrincess Wilderness Lodge
3 COURSE DINNER AT ROD & REEL

Three course dinner at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your
welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge's Rod & Reel
Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage,appetizer or soup or salad, one entree,
dessert,tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

KENAI PRINCESS WILDERNESS LODGE

KenaiPrincess Wilderness Lodge Mile 47.7 Sterling Highway Cooper Landing, AK 99572 Phone:(907)
595-1425 Fax:(907) 595-1424    check-in is 4:00pm

 

Fri 05/24/19          KenaiPrincess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT ROD & REEL

Breakfast at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome
envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the KenaiPrincess Wilderness Lodge's Rod & Reel
Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity.Not
redeemable for cash.

DAY AT LEISURE

Day at leisure Use this time to enhance your Alaska experience with an optionalland excursion. Stop
by the Tour Desk for more information, or reserve an excursion in advance by visiting the Cruise
Personalizer on princess.com.

3 COURSE DINNER AT ROD & REEL

Three course dinner at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your
welcome envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge's Rod & Reel
Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage,appetizer or soup or salad, one entree,
dessert,tax and 15% gratuity. Not redeemable for cash.

 

Sat 05/25/19           Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge
BREAKFAST AT ROD & REEL

Breakfast at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge A meal voucher will be included in your welcome
envelope upon arrival and is only valid at the KenaiPrincess Wilderness Lodge's Rod & Reel
Restaurant. Service includes non-alcoholic beverage, one entree, tax and 15% gratuity.Not
redeemable for cash.

 

Note: Kenai Lodge was our absolute favorite of the Princess lodges. We would love to go back there again.

COACH: KENAI TO WHITTIER

Motorcoach: Kenai to Whittier Your Welcome Envelope will list the times for you to have your bags
ready for the bellman and the motorcoach departure. Your departure has been planned so that you may board your waiting Princess ship in time to enjoy a late lunch.Please have your cruise documents and passport in your possession and ready for your arrivalin Whittier.  Travel time is
approximately 2 hours (50 miles).

==================

 

NOTE:  We had a bit of a hassle with excursions on this one but it worked out really well. When we got to Copper River Lodge we booked a trip for the next day. It was a Fjord cruise and the tickets said to meet the bus out front at 8:00 AM the next morning. We were there 10 minutes early. No bus. We waited until 8:10 AM and still no bus. We asked at the desk and were told, "Oh, they left at 7:00". WHAT??? It seems that this year things were different. They hadn't changed the ticket info and the person at the desk who sold us the tickets was working her first day at the lodge. GAH!!!

 

We had to wait for a manager to come in so see what could be done. When she came in she was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay apologetic. She cancelled our missed tour and substituted a (more expensive and better) tour at the next stop - Kenai Lodge. While we were talking with her we said we had cruised with some of the young folks from Copper River. We had done a 28 day Hawaii and South Pacific cruise and there was a group of Princess employees from the lodge on that trip. The lodge had closed for the season and the employees were able to do the 28 day cruise for port fees and taxes.

 

The manager said that two of those employees were still at the lodge. She called one of them and he came and we had a great talk. He remembered me well from the bazillion hours in Wheelhouse. (😎). Then the manager made another offer. Since we had missed our planned excursion she got the other guy we had sailed with to give us a private excursion for free. He took the lodge van and took us into Valdez - where we would have boarded the boat for our missed excursion. Not only did he take us to Valdez but stopped at all of the really cool spots along the way. Our actual excursion bus would have just blown right past them. When we did get to Valdez we drove around the town (not too exciting) and then stopped for beers. He paid for our lunch and beers.

 

When we got to the Kenai Lodge there was a note in our cabin (excellent cabin with a porch and rocker and a wood stove). The note again apologized for the screwup at Copper River and there was also a bottle of wine with the card. Wow. The actual excursion  there was way better than the one that we had missed. I can't say enough good things about how Princess handled this.

 

Sitting on the porch of our cabin at Kenai Lodge.

 

 

 

 

 

[Thrak]

@caribill had a very informative post regarding the Connoisseur Cruisetour which great influenced our decision to take our first one.  It's an older thread but was quite informative. You can read that thread  here:

 

Details of the tour part of a Princess Alaska cruisetour

 

 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Thrak

[sirclean]

Yes, that is the link that I had seen before. I believe that I had read one of your earlier threads with that link, or perhaps someone else had posted it.

 

It seems then that some of the excursions are included and some are 'optional' (and at an additional fee).

Generally speaking, does the Connoisseur Package include  one excursion per hotel in the package?

 

 

[Thrak]

All the excursions listed in my posts above were included. The only exception was the one we booked in Copper River that didn't happen. The personal tour was free as an apology and the better tour in Kenai was more expensive but they gave it to us for the price of the one they messed up. ALL other tours I listed were include as well as ALL of the meals I listed.

 

I'm sure each tour will differ and there is no guarantee that your experience will match ours. Princess can change what is offered for each cruisetour. My experience is only a guideline to let you know what happened for us in 2016 and 2019. The included meals were all either very good or quite adequate. We had no complaints at all in that regard.  People advised us to take "extra" food on the Tundra Wilderness Tour but we were fine with the included snack. (We aren't big eaters so your mileage may vary.)

 

First cruisetour

Fairbanks Lodge:

GOLD DREDGE

RIVERBOAT

 

Denali Lodge:

MUSIC OF DENALI DINNER THEATER (Originally listed for second cruisetour as well but then removed.)

TUNDRA WILDERNESS TOUR

 

McKinley Lodge:

TALKEETNA (Bus trip into town for the day.)

 

Second cruisetour

Fairbanks Lodge:

GOLD DREDGE

RIVERBOAT

 

Denali Lodge:

TUNDRA WILDERNESS TOUR

 

Copper River Lodge:

NO INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

(This is where we booked an excursion that Princess screwed up so we did end up with a free tour with lunch and beers.)

 

Kenai Lodge:

NO INCLUDED EXCURSIONS

(This is where we were given a huge upgrade over the messed up excursion we had booked in Copper River. Also got the apology note and bottle of wine.)

 

 

 

 

[Rick&Jeannie]

@Thrak... YOU'RE A WALKING ALASKA ENCYCLOPEDIA! 

[Thrak]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

@Thrak... YOU'RE A WALKING ALASKA ENCYCLOPEDIA! 

 

Ummmm... No. Not really. Cruised there 5 times. 2 were connoisseur cruisetours. Also did a 7 week camping trip from Northern California up to Fairbanks. We've been there more than a lot of folks but there are definitely about a bazillion people who know more about Alaska than I do.

 

On the camping trip I have to say the people in Canada and Alaska were extremely friendly and welcoming. They really made you feel welcome and comfortable. (The beer and liquor prices were outrageous!!! One guy in a liquor store described the US as "An entire country that's half off!"!)

 

I am an expert (or even very knowledgeable) on pretty much nothing.The older I get the more I realize how little I know. However, if I can help somebody with the little knowledge I do have about something I don't have a problem taking a bit of my time to try to help that person.

 

I think it's funny that all of the old hippies I know (most of the folks I know from the past) wouldn't characterize me that way (even though they have "known me" for 50 years or more they really don't know me well at all) while most of the folks from the last 16 -17 years of my "working life" would (hopefully) characterize me as someone who really likes helping others.

 

One of the main reasons I liked my "final" job was that it was involved with helping people and making their day, their work, and their life experience better. It's amazing how good it feels to "help" people and make their day and their work day better and less stressful. That is what I really miss with retirement. (Okay, I also miss "being someone". Once I retired I was no longer "someone". I think a number of retired people may understand what I mean.) I covered the northern third of California for my department. When I showed up at an office pretty much everybody knew my name and was happy to see me. That isn't something one experiences after retirement. These days I'm some old fart in the way in the grocery store but I still smile at everybody and they "mostly" respond to that. I'm gregarious and talk with people in the grocery line and with the checkout clerks, etc. "Most" folks are good with that and tend to smile. Maybe they think I'm senile and are just being "kind". The few who don't appreciate me are easy to spot and I leave them alone. I do not slow down the checkout line. Those folks who do make me crazy.