Kelp Bay, Hanus Bay, Lake Eva

There were splashes, splashes all along the shoreline. Tiny eruptions of water each with a silvery exuberant fish flopping ungracefully back into the water. The salmon are here, they’re staging, getting ready for their once in a lifetime chance to spawn, and then they will die.

This morning in Kelp Bay we explored by Zodiac the splashing fish, along with a couple of surreptitious river otters scampering across the algae-covered rocks and slipping silently into the water. Twisty-tied blubber bags lounged on the sandy beach, more formerly called harbor seals, but the blubber bag description does seem to fit.

The skies were cloudy, but not overburdened with moisture, and our day began and remained, precipitation-less. From Kelp Bay we moved on to Hanus Bay and the Lake Eva trail. Zodiac cruises, forest walks and kayaking filled our afternoon. Mama merganser paddled along the shoreline with her five fuzz-ball ducklings.

Up at Lake Eva, a beaver, its mouth stuffed with freshly cut fern fronds, paddled incognito across the lake. Several splashes erupted along the shoreline; this time they did not end in belly flopping salmon, it was our guests, granted a few of the younger and more cold hardy, taking a dip in the clear frigid waters cascading from Lake Eva.

The week has been full and diverse. We are all taking different tidbits of impressions and memories with us from Southeast Alaska. These are written and embedded in our internal cache of precious and treasured moments, to be rummaged through and shared for years to come. Shared with you now are some contributions from some of our young, and young at heart guests.

Why the Whales Fly
By Niya Drumond, age 13

Look over there
Oh, Look!
Leaping in the air
A majestic creature
Who lives in the sea
A creature who,
Can fly!
And fly they will,
Soar even.
Soar to you
And touch your heart,
Tell you that they are there.
To tell you that you should care
This is why they fly
To remind us that we are not alone on Earth
That there are others we need to care for,
Like the soaring whales.


Hey Bear
By Cameron H. Fowler
(sung to the tune of “Hey Jude” while hiking in bear country)

Hey Bear,
I see you there
Just keep walking
And I’ll keep talking
Remember that I don’t mean you no harm
Don’t be alarmed
We’re here together.


LINDBLAD
By Sadie Fowler, age 9

Loyal to the earth
Intelligent people
Nice expeditions
Delicious desserts
Breaching whales
Lovely scenery
Awesome places to visit
Dall’s porpoise


SEA BIRD
Sadie Fowler, age 9

Special in every way
Eco-friendly
Amazing Alaska adventure
Beautiful scenery
Intelligent boat
Radical experiences
Dynamic lodging