what's everyone doing over the summer, while DV is too damn hot?

[Bluegreen kayak]

My wonderful daughter thought for some reason that we should celebrate my 70th birthday with an Alaskan cruise, a first time experience for me. We go for a week mid-July. She picked one that really sounds suitable for me; instead of a large ship visiting cities for shopping and sightseeing, we're on a smaller vessel that will go into bays along the coast. Then we get to kayak and hike in the wilderness, without any civilization. If any one has done this and has advice for us, I'm all ears!

(I am pining for the desert all the same; won't be back there until October/November.)