Iyoukeen Inlet & Peril Strait
During this past week we have gathered from the shores, forests, waterways and glaciers of Southeast Alaska a metaphoric mélange of treasured moments and memories. Remember the excitement when you found your first pile of fresh bear scat? Perhaps it had a festive sprinkling of western hemlock needles on it, like decorative candy sprinkles on a cupcake. Possibly the morning we woke inside of Red Bluff Bay and found three brown bears in the flower filled meadow is your most treasured memory. No Goldilocks story character would have been found anywhere near the two brown bears running and the slightly larger brownie instigating the chase.
The sightings have been stellar, along with the sea lions, with the weather being unbelievable. Sue looked at the sky one morning, saw a patch of blue amongst the grey and white clouds, and repeated a saying of which I had never heard before. She chanted, “If there is enough blue in the sky to make a pair of Dutchman’s britches, the skies will clear,” thus resulting in a sunny day. Today’s skies held enough blue in them to keep an entire village of Dutchmen outfitted for the next several weeks.
Walking through the forest today, we clapped our hands, making noise to ensure that any neighborhood bears were aware of our presence. I’d like to think of it as applause to the forest. Congratulations on a job well done for its splendid moss carpeted floor, the brilliantly colored flowers along its edges and the steeple straight spruces reaching ever skyward.
Some guests have shared their impressions with us today, and we include some of those thoughts in writing with you now:
We came to Alaska for our Grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. As a group of eleven, we were eager to explore Alaska’s wilderness, while growing closer as a family. Reflecting upon the trip we feel we have done that and so much more.
Everyday has been full of new surprises and filled with incredible adventures. We have kayaked, ridden in Zodiacs, hiked, biked, flown over glaciers, and scanned the horizon for wildlife. Through it all we’ve learned more than we ever anticipated with the help of the amazing naturalists and crew.
We have learned all week about the animals surrounding us in this cold wilderness. We watched them swim in close to freezing waters and decided to give it a try. The idea of the “Artic Plunge” was created to celebrate the summer solstice. With flailing arms and wild screams, twenty-eight passengers and crew dove into the frigid Alaskan waters of Glacier Bay.
Not only have we grown closer to family, but we have also made new friends along the way. Unlike the lonely brown bear, our developing friendships have made us more like a pod of Orca whales. We have had new experiences that have created memories to make this a trip of a lifetime.
Liamarie Quinde, Age 13
Amazing Alaska
Towering mountains
Whales, sea lions, and puffins
Nature all around
Caroline Baker, Age 19
The Shining Dream
(Inspired by the discovery of bioluminescence)
My bladder is full
I’m awakened from my sleep
My pee pops with light
Matt Baker, Age 17
Eagle
Powerful,
Beautiful,
Sharp,
Keen,
Elegant,
Grace,
Bald Eagle
Lia Chin-Purcell, Age 9
During this past week we have gathered from the shores, forests, waterways and glaciers of Southeast Alaska a metaphoric mélange of treasured moments and memories. Remember the excitement when you found your first pile of fresh bear scat? Perhaps it had a festive sprinkling of western hemlock needles on it, like decorative candy sprinkles on a cupcake. Possibly the morning we woke inside of Red Bluff Bay and found three brown bears in the flower filled meadow is your most treasured memory. No Goldilocks story character would have been found anywhere near the two brown bears running and the slightly larger brownie instigating the chase.
The sightings have been stellar, along with the sea lions, with the weather being unbelievable. Sue looked at the sky one morning, saw a patch of blue amongst the grey and white clouds, and repeated a saying of which I had never heard before. She chanted, “If there is enough blue in the sky to make a pair of Dutchman’s britches, the skies will clear,” thus resulting in a sunny day. Today’s skies held enough blue in them to keep an entire village of Dutchmen outfitted for the next several weeks.
Walking through the forest today, we clapped our hands, making noise to ensure that any neighborhood bears were aware of our presence. I’d like to think of it as applause to the forest. Congratulations on a job well done for its splendid moss carpeted floor, the brilliantly colored flowers along its edges and the steeple straight spruces reaching ever skyward.
Some guests have shared their impressions with us today, and we include some of those thoughts in writing with you now:
We came to Alaska for our Grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. As a group of eleven, we were eager to explore Alaska’s wilderness, while growing closer as a family. Reflecting upon the trip we feel we have done that and so much more.
Everyday has been full of new surprises and filled with incredible adventures. We have kayaked, ridden in Zodiacs, hiked, biked, flown over glaciers, and scanned the horizon for wildlife. Through it all we’ve learned more than we ever anticipated with the help of the amazing naturalists and crew.
We have learned all week about the animals surrounding us in this cold wilderness. We watched them swim in close to freezing waters and decided to give it a try. The idea of the “Artic Plunge” was created to celebrate the summer solstice. With flailing arms and wild screams, twenty-eight passengers and crew dove into the frigid Alaskan waters of Glacier Bay.
Not only have we grown closer to family, but we have also made new friends along the way. Unlike the lonely brown bear, our developing friendships have made us more like a pod of Orca whales. We have had new experiences that have created memories to make this a trip of a lifetime.
Liamarie Quinde, Age 13
Amazing Alaska
Towering mountains
Whales, sea lions, and puffins
Nature all around
Caroline Baker, Age 19
The Shining Dream
(Inspired by the discovery of bioluminescence)
My bladder is full
I’m awakened from my sleep
My pee pops with light
Matt Baker, Age 17
Eagle
Powerful,
Beautiful,
Sharp,
Keen,
Elegant,
Grace,
Bald Eagle
Lia Chin-Purcell, Age 9
