The Pacific Northwest
Our journey is nearing its end and a brief summation reveals a broad array of experiences and the rewards they have afforded us. Twelve days ago we embarked in Juneau, some of us aboard for the first time while there were many of us returning to the Sea Lion and friends from past explorations. We have had our senses saturated with all that Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest have to offer. We’ve seen the full range of weather patterns including days of spectacular clarity of the air affording unlimited visibility. We’ve had soft rain accompany us on our walks through old growth forests. In the stillness of early mornings the low whoosh of humpback whale blows could be heard at our anchorage. Long ocean swells announced themselves where the protected waters opened to the sea. We have been treated to watching black bears feeding on the bounty of the low tide just as we’ve fed on the bounty prepared in the Sea Lion’s galley. We’ve had the pleasure of examining close-up the expansive life that inhabits the inter-tidal zones. River otters and sea otters have left wakes in the same waters as our kayaks while the timid harbor seals surfaced to inspect us from afar. The white thunder of calving glaciers brought cheers from our decks and clicks from our camera shutters. We took turns peering over the bow of the ship as Dall’s porpoise or Pacific white-sided dolphins took turns streaking ahead of us in play. Twelve days rich and diverse, with fine shipmates and incomparable surroundings. Few places on our planet can compare in their ability to produce such a varied palette of experiences whereby all ones senses are simultaneously on parade.
Below is a poem from one of our Guests:
Twelve days ago, with much anticipation
we embarked on our Alaska/B.C. vacation.
We tentatively met each other…“what is your name?”
and “where is your home from which you came?”
It didn’t take long for our whole group to gel
and it seems that we al got along very well.
We met Steve and the naturalists who showed us the way,
who took such good care of us day after day.
And the folks who worked ceaselessly in the mess
who made sure, when we get home, we’d not weigh less.
The sun sparkled as we first went along.
But, at some point the weather went wrong.
Nevertheless, rain never stopped us from walking
and the in-between times were for reading and talking.
Our naturalists’ lectures were funny or deep
meant to keep our brains from falling asleep.
We walked in the woods and slushed through muck
as we learned about trees, flowers and banana slug.
We scanned the horizon for hours on end
for whales in the water and bears on the land.
And when we sighted eagles in the trees
or otters or dolphins doing what they please,
the cameras clicked, the videos whirred
The “oh!” or “wow” was the chosen word.
We learned natives’ art, their dances and song.
And so the filled days went smoothly along.
There are so many memories we will treasure-
and that is proof in no small measure
that this journey was terrific on all the days-
and we’ll always remember this magical place.
Our journey is nearing its end and a brief summation reveals a broad array of experiences and the rewards they have afforded us. Twelve days ago we embarked in Juneau, some of us aboard for the first time while there were many of us returning to the Sea Lion and friends from past explorations. We have had our senses saturated with all that Southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest have to offer. We’ve seen the full range of weather patterns including days of spectacular clarity of the air affording unlimited visibility. We’ve had soft rain accompany us on our walks through old growth forests. In the stillness of early mornings the low whoosh of humpback whale blows could be heard at our anchorage. Long ocean swells announced themselves where the protected waters opened to the sea. We have been treated to watching black bears feeding on the bounty of the low tide just as we’ve fed on the bounty prepared in the Sea Lion’s galley. We’ve had the pleasure of examining close-up the expansive life that inhabits the inter-tidal zones. River otters and sea otters have left wakes in the same waters as our kayaks while the timid harbor seals surfaced to inspect us from afar. The white thunder of calving glaciers brought cheers from our decks and clicks from our camera shutters. We took turns peering over the bow of the ship as Dall’s porpoise or Pacific white-sided dolphins took turns streaking ahead of us in play. Twelve days rich and diverse, with fine shipmates and incomparable surroundings. Few places on our planet can compare in their ability to produce such a varied palette of experiences whereby all ones senses are simultaneously on parade.
Below is a poem from one of our Guests:
Twelve days ago, with much anticipation
we embarked on our Alaska/B.C. vacation.
We tentatively met each other…“what is your name?”
and “where is your home from which you came?”
It didn’t take long for our whole group to gel
and it seems that we al got along very well.
We met Steve and the naturalists who showed us the way,
who took such good care of us day after day.
And the folks who worked ceaselessly in the mess
who made sure, when we get home, we’d not weigh less.
The sun sparkled as we first went along.
But, at some point the weather went wrong.
Nevertheless, rain never stopped us from walking
and the in-between times were for reading and talking.
Our naturalists’ lectures were funny or deep
meant to keep our brains from falling asleep.
We walked in the woods and slushed through muck
as we learned about trees, flowers and banana slug.
We scanned the horizon for hours on end
for whales in the water and bears on the land.
And when we sighted eagles in the trees
or otters or dolphins doing what they please,
the cameras clicked, the videos whirred
The “oh!” or “wow” was the chosen word.
We learned natives’ art, their dances and song.
And so the filled days went smoothly along.
There are so many memories we will treasure-
and that is proof in no small measure
that this journey was terrific on all the days-
and we’ll always remember this magical place.
