Life on the High Plains

We disembarked the ship early in the morning.  We had a post cruise excursion in Amsterdam for two days.  Viking actually hired a full size bus to drive those of us staying to the hotel.  The hotel was literally one block away from the ship.  We could have walked faster. Our rooms weren't going to be ready until 3:00 in the afternoon so off we went on a walking tour with a Viking guide. Beautiful shot of the Basilica of St. Nicholas with a rainbow.  This is located in the old part of the city across from the main train station.  It's also located in the heart of the Red Light District.  Our guide said he is forbidden to take Viking guests near the basilica because of its location. Another view.  Of course everything in Amsterdam is surrounded by canals. This is the main train station.  We went through there after we learned how to use the city's tram system. The canals are lined with house boats and the sidewalks and streets are lined with bi...

Most of the people on our voyage were older and from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania or Toronto.  There were very few westerners.  The first two people we met were Donna and Peggy from Long Island.  They were both celebrating their 80th birthdays--I hope to be just like them when I'm that age.  We sat and talked with several of the passengers, but didn't really click with any of them. Then one day during afternoon tea Pam asked if she could sit with us.  We had an immediate connection.  She works for the park system in Ontario and when she learned I'm a Yellowstone ranger we had so much in common.  Her friend, Melissa, owned horses and has a daughter that shows horses.  Then we met Louis and Judy.  They're from North Carolina, own property, and Louis is retired from a civilian job in the Navy that was similar to what Irv did.  They became peas in a pod. From that point on we ate meals with them, formed trivia teams with them and dance...