Amanda Bridgette

Helicopters, Glaciers, Floatplanes, & Friends

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:20:00 +0000

The past two weeks have satisfied my Alaskan adventurous spirit. A few weeks ago, I escorted a Glacier tour in Skagway. We basically took an hour boat ride to a small island off Homer where we canoed to Douglas Glacier. It was a beautiful day, and luckily the water was low enough so we could walk onto the glacier.

As always, I found the waterfall and since glacier water is claimed to be the purest, best tasting water ever, I sampled it.

It tasted as great as they claimed!

We also saw an ice cave. The colors were absolutely gorgeous. Apparently, the beauty is deceiving because an ice cave is potentially one of the most dangerous parts of a glacier. It was gorgeous to view though.

Last week was one of the best weeks I have had here because my dear friends from Nashville, the Martins, came cruising. We really had an amazing time together both adventuring and socializing. Our first tour consisted of Humpback whales, Orcas, Sea Lions, & Sea Otters — all viewed from a six-seater raft. Here are just a few highlights.

Orcas (above) followed by sea otters and Humpbacks (below)

Juneau was possibly the highlight for me where we rode a helicopter to the Mendenhall Glacier and trekked on it. It really was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.

When we flew back to the area of the glacier, it was as if we entered into another world. There was no life back there — just ice, snow, and mountains. It was majestic and a reminder of how small we humans really are compared to this vast world we live in.

Here we are ready to trek!

After getting our crampons and ice picks, we started walking on the glacier which was a bit more difficult than I had guessed it would be. You are walking on ice so balance and crampons (like sharp metal teeth on your boots) are the only way you are staying up. Of course we made our way to another waterfall, and I wanted a photo w/ it. GORGEOUS!

Here is a look back at our camp (the little orange tent) compared w/ the great big glacier world.

And here is looking at the glacier from before we began trekking up it.

Notice how small the people are halfway up it. It was a great day, and I was so thankful to share this experience with two people I love dearly.

Skagway was rainy & cold so we took the famous Skagway train. I had taken this tour at least four times, but the views never get old, plus we chatted and laughed along the way.

Our last day in Ketchikan we got lucky and booked the float plane tour. Riding in the float plane was an experience in itself but the views of the fjords were gorgeous. Along the flight our pilot landed in a lake, and we were able to get out and look around on the planes “floats”. What can I say — gotta love Alaska.

Ready to take off!

Ladies and gentlemen, here are the misty fjords of Ketchikan.

Just hanging out on the “floats” of the float plane in the lake. Yes, I do love Alaska.

And when we weren’t adventuring, Shari & Red were the best audience members ever, frequenting all our shows. My whole cast fell in love w/ them. Here we are after the Abba show.

And the Motown show...

And my country show...

It was a wonderful week with two dear friends, close as family to me. Thank you Red and Shari for coming, and I hope you as wonderful a time as I did with you both!

Sea Lions, Starfish, & Bears

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 03:04:00 +0000

In the past few weeks, I have gotten to see even more of Alaska -- some that surprised me & some expected. In Sitka, I took a great kayaking tour. On the boat ride there we had some sea lions show up and swim alongside our boat. They were so cute; although, the boat driver said the local fisherman do not hold the same sentiments and see them as more meddlesome to their fishing.

While kayaking, we went to a narrow inlet where salmon were spawning. There were salmon jumping all around us. I was hoping one would jump in my kayak so I could take it back :) We also found two different types of starfish. I felt like I was back in the Carribean.

Here is the view from my kayak. What a perfect Alaskan day for kayaking!

One thing I have not seen "in the wild" yet is a bear. For fear of missing a bear while in Alaska, I visited the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka. It is a sort of refuge for bears that are not able to live in the wild for various reasons.

At least they warn people. Comforting...

They looked so cute from where I was standing.

I am still hoping to meet a bear in the wild, but these views were great because I do not hope to meet a bear this close in the wild.

And in Juneau, I visited Glacier Gardens. The whole concept is the owner used trees that had been turned upside down by an avalanche to create a garden where the flowers were planted in the tree roots. It was a really neat concept; although, I do think the price was a little steep for the small amount of gardens to be seen. Here is a view from the top of the mountain. Behind me is the airport.

Here is a view of the gardens in the tree roots.

And a view of the beautiful hanging flowers on the inside of the lobby.

Hope you enoy the pics!

Side Projects

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 18:40:00 +0000

After a month of having no computer, I am now happy to own a new MacBook Air! Connection w/ the outside world is again possible. Recently I picked up a short read entitled Steal Like an Artist.

One of the things the author mentioned is how important it is for artists to have side projects because creativity requires the "practice of productive procrastination". Taking that advice and with the help of my fellow cast mates, I took up knitting. It is a hobby that I have always been interested in learning so with their expertise, I embarked on my first knitting project. Here is the scarf I just finished. While basic, I felt so accomplished after finishing it. The process was also a good reminder of how much time and re-working any project requires in order to be done well. I plan to keep knitting for enjoyment and also to feed my creative soul while reaping an extrinsic reward.

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:51:00 +0000

I have read that one of the best cures for the uninspired is travel. Alaska's unparalleled beauty is enough to inspire even the dullest soul. Fate must be on our side because sunshine has visited Alaska a good bit in the past two weeks. Below is a view from a boat dock that I used as my writing room last week in Sitka. Inspiration was the host of this setting.

We passed the Hubbard Glacier last week on a perfectly sunny day. Wanting to make the best use of my time, I used this as my vocal practice room. I have a sneaking suspicion I am getting spoiled :)

Yesterday the sun was out in Skagway! I took an AM bicycle tour of the Tongass National Forest in Dyea. From the forest to the beach in less than three hours time!

When I arrived back to the ship, my cast mate & adventure buddy, Krystle, wanted to go out so we biked to a Skagway waterfall called Lower Dewey Falls. It is a hidden treasure on the edge of town.

And here is the sail away view from Skagway. When it comes to beauty, I am not sure Alaska can be beat with variety of what can be seen here.

Bringin' bluegrass to Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 21:48:00 +0000

I was able to do a country- flavored show on July 4th onboard. My talented cast mates Krystle Simmons & Jessica Brust were kind enough to join in for " Will the Circle be Unbroken". Hope you enjoy!

Victoria, BC, & Harbour Mountain Trail, Sitka, Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 05:21:00 +0000

Besides the fact that I thoroughly enjoy my job, my colleagues, and my surroundings, another benefit of being at sea is that we sail to Victoria, BC, where my best friend lives. She and I met on ships in 2004 and have been friends ever since. A little over a week ago we docked at Victoria’s port, and I was able to spend the entire day with Tara. What a wonderful job perk! It was a great day with a dear friend. My only wish was I wish I could see her more often.

While in Victoria we visited a theatre friend of Tara's. She and I immediately hit it off, plus her backyard is the beach. Her view isn’t bad :)

The sun finally came out on Saturday in Sitka, Alaska, so Krystle, my fellow cast mate, and I decided to get a good workout. We set out for the Harbour Mountain Trail – a seven-mile hike up and down with spectacular views. I must say that the bloggers did not lie. The views were unbeatable. The photos don’t do justice to what our eyes drank in.

Krystle was ready to go. She had a little Beyonce playing to scare away the bears.

Here I am enjoying the scenery WITH BEAR MACE IN HAND – just in case.

There were beautiful flowers along the trail. Below are the rocks we had to hike through. I was hoping there was no boiling mud ....

Views, views, and more views........

We made it to the top! So glad to be there. Snack time!

A few more of the picturesque scenes we saw while hiking back to town.

After four hours with steep ascents we felt we deserved the night off from the gym…. and a nap.

Hope you enjoy the photos from Victoria and Sitka. More to come…

Glaciers & more glaciers

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 20:16:00 +0000

Obviously, part of the appeal of Alaska is the snow and ice. This week I was able to see more of Alaska's glaciers. I find it highly amusing that back at home everyone is hitting the pool while I am rafting around glaciers. Above is a photo of the Mendenhall Glacier from the rafting trip I took in Juneau. Last week I biked here so the rafting allowed me different views of the same glacier.

The rapids were certainly not the New River or the Gauley River, but the backdrop could not be beat.

This is one of the calmer tours I have taken. It is not for the thrill seekers, but it was relaxing with a tinge of adventure when hitting the small rapids. Despite the drizzling rain, rafting in Alaska is a definite recommendation I would make.

Two days ago we cruised through Tracey Arm fjord to view the Sawyer Glacier. I believe this day fulfilled my dreams of what I imagined Alaskan cruising to be. Here is the view as we were approaching Sawyer Glacier.

And here is the view as we sailed closer

The dotting of ice along the water was magnificent to me. There was every shape, size, & color possible of ice.

And much to my surprise and enjoyment when I looked closer here is what I frequently saw occupying the ice. These seals were so cute and amazing to watch swim and play in the water.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Bikes and Glaciers...

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 22:21:00 +0000

On our recent day at sea, we sailed past the Hubbard Glacier. It is quite an experience to be on the ship and sail so close to such beauty. Naturally, everyone was on the deck taking pictures and admiring. Here are a few views from the deck.

And here is my panoramic shot of the Hubbard Glacier and surroundings. Now I know why so many people flock to see Alaska.

On Father's Day, we were in Juneau. Since I couldn't celebrate with my dad, I decided to celebrate the day with a bike trip to the Mendenhall Glacier. I had no clue it would take two hours of continuous cycling to arrive there -- not to mention the two hours of continuous cycling back. Luckily, the weather was beautiful so it was an enjoyable four hours of exercise. After two hours we finally arrived!

And the scenery was completely worth the sore thighs. A waterfall and a glacier! Of course, I had to take my shoes off and get in the water.

The Mendenhall Glacier on a sunny, 63 degree day.

The lake surrounding the glacier and waterfall was equally as picturesque.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and please come visit Alaska on the Shadow!

Kayaking in Skagway

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 19:10:00 +0000

Did I mention I love my job? On Monday, I was able to go on a kayaking tour in Skagway, Alaska. Despite the chill in the air, the sun was shining brightly which made it a perfect day for kayaking on Fraser Lake, bordering Alaska and British Columbia.

My kayaking partner, Tom, and I were a pretty good team.

At times like this, I wish I were a better photographer. My minimal photography skills convey only a portion of the beauty that my eyes viewed.

Once again, I took the White Pass & Yukon Route train from British Columbia to Skagway. It is a favorite part of my Skagway days, and I have a feeling I may get to ride it a few more times during my months here in Alaska. The history surrounding this train route and the building of the track is very interesting. If you are planning a visit to Alaska, this ride is a definite recommendation. Check out the drop from the train track.

And some views during the train ride....

It is unbelievable to me how beautiful this earth is and how diverse countries and land are. Feeling grateful to have eyes that can see and the opportunity to have a job where I can see these things. Hoping each of you are able to have your heart's desires this year.

Exploring Juneau & Skagway, Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 22:52:00 +0000

After taking a few weeks to get re-acclimated to ship life and show schedules, I was finally able to get out and explore a bit of Alaska. From the scenery I have viewed so far, I must say that it was a great addition to the USA. Our ship will be sailing to Alaskan ports through September, and I am so glad to have time to explore this picturesque state.

Pictured below was my first time out in Skagway. What a beautiful setting for our ship to port. It was a warm day so I decided to take a walk and find a nice writing spot.

...and this is what I found. A small brook surrounded by trees and green. I had no clue Alaska was so green! A new song is in the works, and this setting was my inspiration for it.

Juneau, Alaska

In Juneau, there is a cable car leading up to Mt. Roberts where there are some nice hiking trails. The first time there, I was with my cast, and we did not wear proper shoes so when we met snow, our hike ended. My second time up the cable car, I was prepared with waterproof hiking boots. The hike started out fairly warm and dry.

But eventually we met the snow. I must admit at first I was a bit tentative...

The hike was uphill the entire time, but the views were well worth the sweat!

Skagway, Alaska

I spent the day yesterday on a train and dog mushing tour. The train began in Skagway and traveled to British Columbia. The views were breathtaking.

Next we headed to a dog mushing training camp. When we first arrived, the dogs were so excited and began barking. I must admit that some of my childhood fear of dogs re-emerged. Luckily, the group I was with were all dog lovers so they helped calm me. :) We got in the sled...

... and then got ready to take off. Here is a view from my seat.

It was a neat experience to see the dogs pull us and realize that this was a summer camp compared to the real racing they do in the winter. I even warmed up to our team of dogs. Here I am with the leaders GQ and Amigo.

A view of Skagway from the Dyea lookout point.

So far Alaska has been a true delight to my eyes. I look forward to what the coming weeks will bring to see and do in this great state.

New Adventures

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 09 May 2014 04:03:00 +0000

2014 brought a bend in the road that I had not anticipated, but I must say I have learned a great deal on the journey of healing. (For those of you who are not aware of my recent mishap, I promise to share via blog in the near future.) During my healing process, I was fortunate enough to work for a wonderful company who accommodated my injury -- even to costuming. The Legacy Theatre was a wonderful experience and way to begin 2014. The post right before this one documents the show and my time there.

In March I took some time to write and where better to write than a vineyard? I was able to take a month at a farmstay in Northern Virginia and write, play music, and relax. It was a dream come true for me and quite productive as well. Here is a view from one of my daily retreats (when it was not snowing).

And, of course, the sheep grazing.

March truly was a peaceful and insightful month for me. Hopefully, the fruit of my writing will be revealed sooner than later. :) After having a month to visit my family and spend time with friends, I am heading out to sea again with Silversea but this time on the Silver Shadow from May through December. The itinerary is Alaska, Hawaii, the Polynesian Islands, Easter Island, Chile, & Argentina. I have never visited any of these ports so I am very excited to explore them!

And at the beginning of 2015, I will head toward Atlanta, GA, in order to join The Legacy Theatre cast of Ring of Fire, playing January 16 - February 15, 2015.

Despite my recent setback due to an injury, I feel so blessed to be working and have my health. In the past, I often wasted my days wishing for more. Presently, I am relishing every moment, enjoying the life I have been given.

Last week in Georgia

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 21:09:00 +0000

The "Keep on the Sunny Side" run is coming to a close. This coming weekend is our last weekend of shows. I must say that I am a bit sad because I have fully enjoyed the show, the music, and the cast. Admittedly, I also know much more about the Carter family now than I did during the whole duration of my time in Nashville. Below are some photos of memories I have made here.

My friend Tara (Maybelle Carter) and I (Sara Carter) hangin' out backstage.

The "Keep on the Sunny Side" cast in serious 1930's photo mode.

The "Keep on the Sunny Side" cast in true mode, along with our amazing director, Thomas Ward.

Tara and I at a radio interview. We did a Maybelle and Sara favorite -- Wildwood Flower.

The female Carters -- Janette, Maybelle, & Sara (AKA) Sims, Tara, and I. Such an enjoyable group of ladies and interesting dressing room chats.

During this run I was surprised to see such supportive friends. My dear friends Shari & Red made the drive down all the way from Nashville -- AND ON Super Bowl weekend. That is some real love. :)

My parents came down last weekend to see the show from WV and brought some dear family -- my mom's cousin Jane and her husband Jerry. It was such fun to be with all of them together, and the conversation was quite lively. Sold out shows and quality family time made for a wonderful weekend.
Since this is my fourth time to work at the Legacy Theatre, I have some dear, dear friends in this area. One particular friend and I have been able to schedule a "friend date" every week. Becky and I have been friends since 2007, and we have regular phone chats, but this contract has been nice because we have substituted the phone chats for face to face chats. Here we are at my birthday lunch she took me to. Raspberry Cheesecake and a good friend -- does it get any better?

Keeping on the Sunny Side

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 04:48:00 +0000

Due to a foot injury I experienced in November, my travels and career were put on hold for a few months, as well as my blogging. In 2013, I booked a show for the next year called "Keep on the Sunny Side" which tells the story of the original Carter family. After my recent accident, the chances of keeping that contract did not look hopeful, but fortunately my doctors, family, and the theatre all worked with my situation in order for me to heal as speedily and healthily as possible in order to work again. Thanks to some wonderful national and international doctors, I am now recovering quite well and am able to continue being on stage.

Currently, I am performing in "Keep on the Sunny Side" at the Legacy Theatre in Tyrone, Georgia. www.thelegacytheatre.org The show runs through February 16. The cast is wonderful to work with on and offstage, and if our opening weekend packed houses are an indicator of the rest of the run then I encourage anyone in the Atlanta vicinity to come check it out. The show is a combination of acting and live music at it's best. Here is a preview...

Post by The Legacy Theatre.

Greetings from the Caribbean

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 16:13:00 +0000

We have finally hit the Caribbean! Starting out with Hamilton, Bermuda, to St. Lucia, all the beaches are beautiful and relaxing. My cast mates and I are taking full advantage of the sun and sea daily. My dear friend, Evan, and I enjoying a day at the beach in Bermuda.

The water was bit cold, but I couldn't resist. I must admit that I love my life ! :)

Oh, yes, and my favorite part of the job -- singing. Here are a few pics from our deck show which is just fun disco music. Great food on the deck and then a fun night of singing with my fellow cast mates who are great. I cannot complain about my life.

Here is a shot from our Broadway show. My "Fondly" dress came in handy.

Next week a few of us onboard plan to have a few excursions in St. Lucia and Dominica so I should be posting great pics of those islands.

While I am fully enjoying myself here, I have started working on my next show -- "Keep on the Sunny Side" which will be performed at the Legacy Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, in January through February.

Last Days in USA

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 15:48:00 +0000

I spent my last few days in the USA taking tours. Bar Harbor, Maine, was one of the final stops, and I am so glad the US government decided to reopen because we were able to visit Acadia National Park. The walking tour was beautiful. Here are a few photos; although, they do not accurately depict the park's beauty -- breathtaking.

I could have stayed at this spot all day and just soaked in the beauty and the sun!

We visited Boston on a Sunday, and luckily, it was football day so a few of my Boston friends invited me to the Patriots vs. Dolphins game. While I have no clue what is going on in football, I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the game. My roommate is a Florida girl, and there was an extra ticket for her so she gave me a play-by-play commentary on the game.

Tailgating before the game with my Boston friends. What a great group of guys!

Brittany and I enjoying our seats and the game.

Martha's Vineyard was our last stop before heading to the Caribbean. I was so excited to visit because I have read so much about it that I wanted to see it for myself. I was not disappointed with the views. Spectacular.

And I leave you with this quote from a deli at Martha's Vineyard. I can't think of a better blessing to wish on all my friends.

Saquenay, Quebec

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 16:04:00 +0000

I spent last Thursday in Saquenay, Quebec, hiking the Saquenay National Park. What beautiful views! It reminded me of WV with the mountains and the leaves changing.

Our guide has curly hair too so we said she was my French sister.

What a perfect day to spend my last days in Canada.

Heart and Soul

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 18:38:00 +0000

Here is a clip from my show onboard. Hope you enjoy!

Making music!

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 19:45:00 +0000

This contract is especially enjoyable to me because I am performing a new show I was able to create over the past few months. Thanks to the Tamarack Center in Beckley, WV, I was able to secure a grant for these charts and worked with a wonderful arranger from Nashville on the charts. The band onboard has really embraced the show and performs the pieces wonderfully, as well as made the whole performing process enjoyable. Here are a couple shots we took before the show the other night. Hopefully, I will be able to post a clip or two from the show soon!

Green Gables in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island!

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:40:00 +0000

As a child I was a huge Anne of Green Gables fan. After reading the Anne series and a few other L.M. Montgomery books, Prince Edward Island was a dream destination. On Tuesday, a dream came true when I visited Green Gables on PEI. It was every bit as beautiful as Montgomery described in the books.

The farmhouse that Montgomery modeled the Green Gables house after.

I am in Heaven at the moment this photograph was taken ;) Below is one of the rooms in Green Gables.

And the ever popular "Lover's Lane". It was as pretty as I had imagined.

After visiting the Green Gables site, we made a stop at Cavendish beach. This island truly is a writer's paradise. Inspiration is abundant here!

What a wonderful day. I truly am thankful for my job, and the wonderful opportunities it affords me. Prince Edward Island reminded me a bit of home --West Virginia. The people are warm, the grass is green, the leaves are deep shades, and the music is bluegrass flavored. I am thankful for where I am from and where I am visiting.

Portland/Kennebunkport, Maine

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 18:18:00 +0000

I spent last Friday in Portland and Kennebunkport, Maine, which were absolutely gorgeous! Our first stop on the way to Kennebunkport was one of the famous lighthouses of Maine. Wow, what a view! It was also one of Longfellow's frequent walks for inspiration. The photos show why.

The Mornings in Paris Cafe in Kennebunk, Maine, had the best Nutella cappuccino I have ever tasted. The sun dried tomato quiche was terrific as well. I highly recommend it if you are passing through.

Lovin' New England!

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 17:40:00 +0000

Back in America for a few days! I have no clue how much I miss the ease of being in my home country until I am without cell service and data networks and have to hunt for internet cafes abroad. On Tuesday, we began a new voyage so I was able to spend a few hours in NYC before we sailed. Fortunately, I was able to spend the day with one of my dearest friends in the world. He and I have been friends since elementary school and chose similar artistic paths as our careers. Seeing a "kindred spirit" is always uplifting, inspiring, and medicinal for the soul. A nice lunch followed by a stroll through Central Park on a warm, sunny day was a wonderful welcome back to the USA. Thank you, Nathan, for such a lovely day. (Also, Nathan is a wonderful writer and has recently finished a novel. I will let everyone know when it is in publication and available for purchase!)

One of the advantages of working on a ship is the view. Here is the Statue of Liberty at sail out time! Such a beautiful view from the top deck!

I spent Wednesday in Newport, Rhode Island. This was the second visit I have made to Newport, and I enjoyed it even more time #2. What a wonderful port city. One of the highlights of Newport is the mansions. I took a tour of Dorris Duke's Mansion ( Duke University). Taking photos was not allowed inside which is a shame because the art and architecture was impressive. Here is a view of the outside and the gardens. Newport is the perfect weekend get-a-way town, and I am now setting my sites on booking some shows there. :)

I spent Thursday in what is now becoming a favorite city of mine -- Boston. I spent the morning on the Freedom Trail tour which was very interesting and reminded me of how much American history I have forgotten. The evening was spent with another dear friend, Ashley. Two years have passed since we last saw each other so it was a wonderful reunion, plus I made a new friend Shannon. We had dinner at the Top of the Hub restaurant which has a wonderful panoramic view of Boston. It was a wonderful way to end my day in Boston, and I look forward to seeing her again in a few weeks.

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:26:00 +0000

I began my day today with a trip to Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. It was breathtakingly beautiful!

After walking around the cove, I spent the next hour exploring the coast via the rocks. What a wonderful way to start the day!

This view reminded me of Spruce Knob in West Virginia. For a moment, I thought I was back home :)

Peggy's Cove started the day well, and a Motown show tonight will be the perfect way to end a perfect day.

A day in Quebec City

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 17:53:00 +0000

I ended the month of September with a day of biking from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls. The group I was with proved to be excellent company and in excellent shape. The ride to the falls was beautiful..

Here I am at the "Lady in White Falls", and yes, those are rubber bands around my pant legs. I kept getting caught in the tire chain.

And a beautiful view of Montmorency Falls while riding the cable car up. I cannot complain about my job. Quebec City is one of my favorite Canadian cities to visit, and I look forward to a few more visits there before we head for the Caribbean.

Another aspect of my job that I enjoy is the dining. Here I am eating with Vince, my former cast member and now current boss, and a new friend from the ship. The food was amazing, and we had dinner under the stars while floating on the ocean. It was a bit cold that night so blankets were provided, but the company, conversation, and cuisine were all divine.

Yes, this is my boss :) He takes himself very seriously. LOL!

Crossing the Pond

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:27:00 +0000

It has been a busy two weeks aboard the Silversea Whisper. The bulk of my time has been invested in learning new shows, meeting new people, and enjoying new ports. What a blessing to have such a job. While in Iceland, our cast took a trip to the Blue Lagoon. The temperature was freezing outside, but the water temperature was warm and relaxing. Mud masks were also part of the day. (My co-workers and I enjoying the masks.)

One of my favorite views thus far was crossing the Prince Christian Sound on the route to Greenland. It was gorgeous, and I was amazed by the ice burgs coming out of the ocean. As you can tell by the photo, I was freezing, but the view of the iceburg was worth it!

We only had a few hours in Dublin, Ireland, so my cast and I had Irish coffees. I then visited Dublin Castle. The few hours I was in Ireland was enough to let me know it is a destination to put on my "future travel" list.

And, of course, I am enjoying the "my job" immensely.

I am now back in North America and am enjoying Quebec City today so updates should be more regular.

Headed to England!

noreply@blogger.com (LuLu) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 04:22:00 +0000

Tomorrow I fly to England to join the Silversea Whisper cast as part of the onboard entertainment. Fortunately, I have previously worked on this ship so it is a familiar setting with many familiar faces. One of the highlights of this specific contract is the solo show I am performing. I have been working with an arranger on preparations for this show over the past three months and am looking forward to performing it in a lovely venue for an art-appreciative audience. Music has afforded me many opportunities to see the world and meet interesting people. As the years pass, and I realize I am still being afforded new opportunities through my passion/work, I am no less grateful than I was with my first journey. May each of you enjoy your journey today and in the coming holiday seasons.