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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

N is for North to Alaska

Stewart Granger
John Wayne








American actors John Wayne and Ernie Kovaks, British actor Stewart Granger, a beautiful French actress named Capucine, a big shaggy dog, and a young American named Fabian starred in the comic western movie North to Alaska 50 years ago. The cast seemed like an unlikely mix, with John Wayne actually playing a parody of himself, but it worked. The title song, performed by Johnny Horton, became a hit, and some say it was Horton's most popular song ever.
In 2007, Dick and I went "north to Alaska" on a cruise aboard Holland America's Zuiderdam, which visited Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau. While the ship was docked in Skagway, friends picked us up and took us, as the song says, "across the majestic mountains" to the Canadian city of Whitehorse, Yukon. (Dick rode part of the way on the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, which I had been on previously.)
It was a super vacation. The ship's route took us from Vancouver, BC, up the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland, and also between Haida Gwaii (formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands) and the mainland, then up the Alaska Panhandle. The scenery was spectacular, with icebergs large and small, glaciers large and small, eagles, seabirds and orcas (killer whales).

Photos by Richard Schear and Kay Davies
Posted by Kay for



31 comments:

Mr Puddy said...

"north to Alaska" Look fantastic, Kay
You has been so many places in the world.and thank you to share this to us.
All photos are great ! I love the whale one !

Sylvia K said...

It was a great movie and song and I remember them well! Fun post for the N Day! Hope your week is going well, Kay! Enjoy!

Sylvia

Verna Luga said...

This is so pretty, sorry Kay havent seen that movie.. dropping by for ABC Wed.

ABC Wednesday here

VioletSky said...

If I were ever to go on a cruise I would want it to be that one!

I don't think I've actually seen the movie, but I have always been a fan of Johnny Horton.

Gigi Ann said...

I hate to admit this but I never saw the movie either. Next time it is on TV I will have to watch it. I remember the song well.

Your pictures of your vacation are beautiful, but look a bit chilly.

Roger Owen Green said...

don't know the song or movie, but I'd love to go to Alaska someday.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Wanda said...

They don't make them like that anymore!!! Great movie and memories.

Janet said...

Great movie, and I think we have a copy of the Johnny Horton song.

dianasfaria.com said...

Your whale shot is amazing. what a thrill to get to see one like that too, eh?

Tumblewords: said...

Beautiful. I particularly liked the iceberg - it's a wonderful sculpture! :)

Lew said...

North to Alaska was an enjoyable movie. And your cruise looks to be even more enjoyable! As for Frederick's horses and carriages, they had a police escort in front to stop traffic and a pickup truck behind which I guess had cleanup detail.

Stan said...

Great pictures and story. I've been close to those places, but not quite there yet. It's on my bucket list. I have visited Alberta, however, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nanka said...

Serenity and tranquility !! Lovely pictures too :)

Kay said...

We have just put a down payment on a cruise to Alaska on Princess Lines. I hope everything goes well. Everybody talks about how wonderful a time they had. I'm looking forward to it for next year.

Reader Wil said...

Wow! what a trip on a Dutch ship "De Zuiddam"! I love these arctic regions, like those of Alaska and Canada, Norway and south New Zealand. BTW New Zealand is named after the Dutch province of Zeeland, because the Dutch Abel Tasman discovered New Zealand in 1642. The Danish Sjaelland ( in English Zealand) is quite another story.

Cezar and Léia said...

Thanks so much for this fabulous review!Oh girl...Stewart Granger is so charming in that picture! ;)
Léia

Erika B said...

Wow, spectacular shots!

Erika B

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Great post Kay. Husband and I were lucky enough to take a trip North to Alaska in May this year on MS ZUIDERDAM!! I also have similar photos but your Orca is much better than the shot I was able to get!

Kay L. Davies said...

@ SJ Anne -- Those whales move SO fast, and my camera is so slow. Dick got that one good shot, and we have lots of pictures of fins sticking up out of the water. LOL
Wonderful that you were on the Zuiderdam. A lovely ship.

Gattina said...

Hard to imagine snow and cold when you are on holidays and the temperature is over 30°, lol !

Joy said...

Must have been a wonderful cruise, in a spectacular part of the world.
Heard the song but never knew it was from a film.

Ebie said...

Oh Kay, look at those ice berg! The bird did not even have "cold" feet!

I might have seen portions of the movie...

Leslie: said...

I remember seeing that movie "North to Alaska" and was spellbound. I've been on 2 cruises there already and my younger daughter now wants to go so I've arranged my 3rd cruise with her next May (we will celebrate her 31st birthday the last full day at sea so should be lots of fun!)

Maude Lynn said...

What a gorgeous place!

Willa said...

Sounds like a great classic movie.

Francisca said...

What a great post, Kay... It must've been awesome to see that orca jump out of the water!

Strummed Words said...

Thius is a trip/cruise I hope to take sometime. Have always wanted to see Alaska! Very nice pictuares.

Jay said...

I've never seen that movie, but now I want to! Sounds fun!

Gorgeous pictures. I'd like to do that some day, but it looks sooo cold!!

Mara said...

I am so jealous. I especially love the lighthouse on the island and all the icebergs. I hope to see them in person soon (well, within the next decade!)

Kay L. Davies said...

@ Mara -- That is my favorite of all our Alaska pictures. And I took it myself. Can hardly believe it. Wish I could remember which camera I used.

Cheryl said...

How wonderful that you got this wonderful opportunity to visit the great North. Wonderful N post.