Summer plans

I am so excited. I get to do an Elderhostel trip this summer. The Elderhostel program is an international educational focused travel program available to those 55 and older. You can learn more about EH a http://www.elderhostel.org/about/.

Now, I know what you are thinking. I am not 55! (nor is Phil, for that matter). I am actually going on as a group leader for Elderhostel. I will work for the Elderhostel organization, but according to the ship I am a passenger. So I get to take a cruise of the Inside Passage of Alaska and get paid to do it!

I have done this trip several times over the past 10 years, but it has been a few years since I have been on board. We start in Vancouver, but we end here, so the trip home will be very quick!

My job is basically to give several talks about Alaska ( I usually do the natural history of Alaska, Glacier Basics and teaching in rural Alaska). I also will give small orientation talks to each port of call (the picture at left shows a street in Ketchican, which is one of the ports), and then will lead my group on all the shore excursions (another fun thing I get to do).

What better job could you ask for? I will get paid to talk, travel and look at animals. Plus, have my room cleaned and turned down each day, have sit down 5 course meals, and otherwise enjoy the cruising life style. What a gig!

A view from the deck, cruising into Glacier Bay.