Day 1 - Departure/Arrival

Tuesday, May 23

Planning for this trip began in the early Spring of 2016 when my mother Edna and her friend Suzette started talking to me about booking an Alaskan cruise for them. By the time they booked, Suzette's daughter Stephanie and I had also decided to go with them.  A few months later after looking at all of the wonderful things we would be seeing and doing, I knew I wanted my daughter to have this wonderful experience as well. Just before final payment, my daughter Shelby and her friend Rachel were invited and booked too. 

Shelby, Rachel, my mom and I flew out a few days before Suzette and Stephanie because we were meeting up with mom's friend Betty for a day.

Mom, looking so happy, excited, and raring to go!

Waiting for the hotel shuttle. The hotel shuttles pick-up on level 3 of the parking garage.  There is a complimentary phone you can use to call the shuttle for each of the local hotels. Each hotel has a one or two-digit number you dial and a directory is posted. We waited about 15 to 20 minutes.

We stayed at the Best Western Executel about a mile from the SeaTac airport. They had a free shuttle service and the price was right for a quick, overnight stay.  It was clean and comfortable.

There are very few dining options around SeaTac and virtually none within walking distance of the Best Western, so we took an uber to Dave's Diner & Brews. The place was cute in a kitschy kind of way and the food was about what you'd expect for that sort of place. Another short uber ride back to the hotel and we were sound asleep within minutes.