As I prepare for a trip to Alaska...I remember a photograph of my great-grandmother panning for gold. Since I booked the trip in September 2025, I have been thinking about the photograph and locating it to tell a story. Today! I finally got into the storage cabinets and located the scrapbook that contains the fondly remembered photograph of my favorite relative.

On July 23, 1969, my great-grandmother became a lifetime member of what was then the Arctic Circle Club affiliated with Alaska Airlines. The certificate notes: "having crossed the Arctic Circle in the State of Alaska at 66 degrees 30 feet North Latitude and 162 degrees West Longitude en route to the Eskimo Village of Kotzebue on Alaska Airlines Golden Nugget Flight." Not knowing anything about Kotzebue...I GOOGLED...and came across the website for North Alaska Tour Company. My desire was to pan for gold just as my great-grandmother did...I may still have a chance as our Holland America Cruise makes stops at several ports: Juneau, Skagway known as "a well-preserved part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park" and Ketchikan where the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian pepole still fish the waters of Alaska to earn the title "The Salmon Capital of the World." While in Ketchikan, my travel companion and I anticipate a chance to see the beautiful totem poles crafted by the Native Alaskans and explore Creek Street.

With just a few days before departure...we try to pack wisely...my understanding is that many cruisers OVER pack for this amazing journey. As mentioned in my last post, my desire is to tie my passion of genealogy and family history research to my current role as a travel advisor. We are joining a cruise with author Marc Cameron who is offering a Masterclass in writing while we are onboard. Hence, another link to this page...I am hopeful that I will get inspired to write again after a very long break...if you have a desire to travel to Japan or Alaska with Marc Cameron next year, I would love to help you book your trip! You may contact me by clicking here. Also in the scrapbook, I found a flyer my great-grandmother saved entitled: TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TRAVELERS I Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home...for thou hast left thy home to find things different. II Thou shalt not take anything too seriously...for a carefree mind is the beginning of any vacation. III Thou shalt not let other travelers get on thy nerves...for thou hast paid thy money to enjoy thyself. IV Thou shalt not forget that thou dost represent thy country...at all times and in all places. V Thou shalt not worry...for he who worrieth hath no pleasure and few things are ever fatal. VI Remember thy Passport so that thou knowest where it is at all times...a man (woman) without a Passport is a man (woman) without a country. VII Blessed is the man (woman) who can say "Thank you" in any language. This and his (her) smile doubles the value of his (her) tip. VIII When in Rome do as the Romans do...and use American friendliness and common sense at all times. IX Do not judge a country by one person with who thou hast had trouble. X Remember thou art a guest in every land...for he (she) who treateth his (her) host with respect shall be treated as an honored guest. Source: Unknown