Nowak Family Goes on Exotic Cruise

Ok, just like most headlines to bait you into reading the story I must admit that we are not really going on a cruise...or at least not the kind you are thinking of. 

We are going on the Nowak Family version of a Princess cruise.  Although, we will be visiting some exotic destinations.  This cruise will be aboard the Alaska Ferry system.  Now I know half of you are clutching your stomachs and the other half are weeping for us (I've done both and will, upon boarding the ferry, do both again). Now if you think about it, it's practically the same deal...minus the all you can eat buffets, the tropical sandy beaches, the onboard swimming pools, the luxurious staterooms, the room service, the dress up dinners, the child friendly activities/programs/babysitting and, of course, the on board doctor a la "The Love Boat" who will dispense sea sick meds at will.  The one thing we do have going for us is that we will get to see some beautiful scenery, visit Juneau which I am actually stoked about, and see a lot of Alaska that we haven't seen yet, as this is the biggest freakin' state in the union, and that's putting it mildly.  While we are "underway" (note my use of nautical terminology- oh yeah- if you're gonna be a sea faring bunch you need to know the lingo.  Note to self: start watching Deadliest Catch) on our great Alaskan Ferry adventure, Zach will be celebrating his 11th birthday.  He's excited about having his birthday "at sea", as he says. I just love that boy.  

Some random thoughts about the ferry:

• I saw pictures and I'm a little nervous
  
• It looks clean so that's a bonus
  
• I get sea sick very easily, like when watching episodes of Miami Vice or, the aforementioned, Love Boat
  
• I have to plan a b-day party for Zach with cake and presents...on a ferry 
  
• Hoping the birthday candles don't create a "situation" and send everyone to the life rafts
  
• Hoping the "room with sitting area" we reserved has enough room for a family of 5
• Praying the room has a ventilation system (too gross to expand on)
• Looking forward to seeing some wildlife, since I'm pretty sure we are the only family in history to drive the ALCAN and not see ANY wildlife...is that even possible???  Uhh YEAH!!

Ok so I am promising to keep you all updated on our adventures, the first of which will be the packers and movers...love that nameless bunch of crazy kids who seriously don't care one iota about other people's things. Honestly, that will be as nauseating as the ferry.

Look for our schedule of events to be published soon.  (Are people actually still reading this?  If so, thank you!)  Charlie says we'll have stalkers now but I think it's highly unlikely.  What are the chances someone would really want to join OUR family on this trip?  If there is a taker, there better be a reality show contract, a big paycheck, and a camera crew attached.  Otherwise don't bother!

Now there's an idea...reality show...someone films an actual family...no, who would watch...plus we'd have to get props, scenery, script writers...it would never work!!!