My husband and I recently returned from an Alaskan cruise. It was meant to be our twenty-fifth anniversary trip. We haven’t hit that mark yet; we’re at twenty-four and a half years and counting, but taking a cruise to Alaska in December didn’t seem like a good idea. Not to mention the fact that no one goes up there then. :)
Some things I knew, but my husband learned/relearned about me while we shared a small space for seven days…
- I don’t like to talk much. I’m just not your typical woman. I grew up basically as an only child (my closest sibling is 14 years older and male) and had lots of time to myself. And my family was not in to sharing feelings and the like. I’m sure days went by when I said nothing.
Sunset
- I value time alone. After the first day or so of us being together non-stop, I began to get irritable. Once I think I just asked him to shut up for a little while.
- I’m okay sitting for hours writing, reading, or playing games on my iPad. This bugged him to death. One day he was so antsy, he walked every deck of the ship front to back. I stayed in the room and read or wrote.
- Despite my size, I don’t eat much. I kept telling him that I didn’t eat much, but I think actually seeing how much I ate surprised him.
- When he retires several years from now, he will have to find ways to amuse himself. I think this one surprised him the most. He even mentioned it to me one afternoon, much along the lines of…”I’m going to have to find something to do when I retire so I don’t irritate you, aren’t I?” I simply nodded.
It was a great trip, and we enjoyed our time immensely. The land up there is beautiful, the weather was better than expected–we had some gray days, but no real rain–the scenery was breathtaking, and to watch the sun set or rise(I saw that a few days, even though it was 4:30 a.m.), awe inspiring.
So here are some pictures. I’ll even throw one in of us together, though I must say I hate selfies. ;)
In Tracy Arm Fjord
Docking in Sitka.
Sunrise
glacier and icebergs
Close up of a bald eagle on a iceberg
A mountain range along the way
I took tons of others, but I don’t want to bombard you with my photos, most of which were scenic.
Lest you think my husband was the only one who learned something on this cruise, let me tell you that it reminded me that I love my husband more today than I did when I said I do almost twenty-five years ago. Yes, there are times when he gets on my last nerve, but those are few and far between. I can’t imagine my life without him and am better because he’s around.
Have you taken a trip with your hubby that just blew you away, either with the views or with what you learned about each other?
Blessings,
Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer—in that order (mostly). She writes or reads inspirational romance of any genre. Even when she’s busy homeschooling, doing laundry, or fixing dinner, reading or writing are not far from her mind. She is president of her local writing group, and blogs regularly for InspyRomance.com and at gingersolomon.com.
Ginger, I loved your photos. We also took an Alaskan cruise for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. We took our a few months after our anniversary because we were married in February. After we went to Alaska, I was able to say I’ve been to all 50 states.
Having just returned from a 3-week trip with hubby, I understand completely! We did pretty well on our Alaskan cruise 5 years ago, though (for our 30th). Neither of us like crowds and love the ocean, so we spent a lot of time on the promenade deck, which was pretty quiet as the weather was quite cool (end of June).
Merrille, I’m a long way from visiting all 50, since until I got married I’d only ever been to three (VA, WV, and NC), and never out of country. lol
I found it interesting how windy it was, even when the ship wasn’t going very fast.
I’m not sure I could take a 3-week trip, not without some sort of break. I love my husband a great deal, but we are literally polar opposites (though we rarely argue), and I need a lot more down time than he does. He likes to be busy, busy, busy. :)
We’ve taken many trips together…lately, what I would call “day” trips, since it is so expensive and he can’t always get the time away from work. In some ways my husband and I are alike, we both like solitude & quiet, and when it’s just us, there’s not much conversation. Not a bad thing at all, we just love being together even in the nothingness of life :-) It’s a comfortable togetherness, where you’ve been married so long, that conversation isn’t always necessary to enjoy each others company. This last little 2 day trip we took was only an hour away from home. We have a quaint little 16 room hotel we love to stay in overlooking the bay on the coast. On the second morning, we went out early with our host and learned how to clam for the first time. I’ve always found we make a great team and this was no exception! Well, there is one thing, he keep finding the clams super easy….me, not so much! But there was lots of laughter and teasing going on :-D
Over the years, my husband has learned how to more easily relax and slow down, whereas I’ve learned how to be a bit more spontaneous & upbeat. We’ve rubbed off on each other in different ways & grown as a couple. And we’re still learning about one another even after 18 years!
Yes, I do agree with you though, Ginger, he WILL have to find a hobby after he retires….#1 so he doesn’t get bored & #2 so he’s out of my hair…lol!
Congratulations! We loved our Alaskan cruise three years ago. Your pictures leave me ready to go again :)