The Last Cruise Ship!!!

Today was the last day of cruise ships for Ketchikan! It was a bittersweet day that was unusual from beginning to end. To really get a feel of how strange of a day it was I shall narrate it from start to finish.

Wake up at 7:30am and I don't have to be at work until 9:15, already this is strange because I get to sleep in. Realizing I have the extra time I decide to take an extra long, hot shower to prepare myself for the last day of driving bus. I start brushing my teeth and hop in the shower because this is my favorite way to brush my teeth. (I don't have to worry about excess toothpaste getting into my beard this way) I begin to wash my hair and beard, then condition, the usual routine. But halfway through the rinse the water starts to go cold... I have been using this shower all summer and I have never once run out of hot water. But regardless, I finish the rinse in the cold water and step out of the shower. Shave the neck beard and comb the hair, just getting presentable for the masses of tourists. When the time comes for application of deodorant I have just enough to apply sparingly to both pits. I ran out of deodorant on the last day that I needed it! Magic. Rest of the morning goes smoothly. I get to work, drive into town and wait for my first transfer. It goes off without a hitch, everyone loves my joke and an old lady tells me I've had the best jokes so far on her vacation. Return to town to pick up the next group, but no... the ship is late! We leave 30 minutes late and they tell me to, "make it work out." I'm supposed to turn an hour long tour into roughly 45 minutes. Well hell, I can make magic happen because I've got the remnants of my Old Spice spurning me on. Leave town, stop in totem pole park and proceed to condense 30 minutes of talking into about 15. Boom, back on schedule and Ronnie is a hero. Get tipped like a champ and move on to next duty. I was supposed to be back with plenty of time to start my next tour but the late arrival of the ship has delayed me, bosses freaking out "where is Ronnie!?!?!" I get on the radio, "Don't worry, I got this!" Arrive with two minutes to spare, everyone gets on board and proceeds to have an awesome time with me for the next two and a half hours. Rave reviews, once again tipped like a boss. Go to last duty without incident, come back as the second to last bus and watch the people get on board, the door closes. We watch the last cruise ship of the year sail off into a gorgeous Ketchikan sunset. Game, set, match. I've made it through the summer without leaving any tourists behind, without an accident, and with a smile on my face.

Me taking a picture of Keith taking a picture of the last ship.

Goodbye until next year!!!