We arrived home from a cruise to Alaska late Monday morning—exhausted after a red-eye flight and hustling through two large and disorganized airports.
We jumped at the chance to cruise through the Inside Passage in Alaska—mostly to spend time with our friends, and also because I have said many times that I would love to do this cruise again. A few years ago we made a two week land and sea tour to Alaska. It was memorable and spectacular. But there were excursions I missed that first time that I wanted to take: among them, a boat trip to see whales andother wildlife. One of the ironies of traveling to Alaska is that even though it teems with wildlife, there is a good chance that you will see very little. I guess that’s not too much of a mystery, after all. The tourist season is short and I am sure that you need to go into the hinterlands to spot wildlife.
You usually can see eagles and bears readily in Juneau and Ketchikan, but I dreamt of seeing the majesty of the orca in their habitat—gloriously breeching just for me.
Well, I didn’t see any whales to speak of—I think I saw a few bubbling off the side of the ship one day. That was it.
Our traveling companions saw whales repeatedly—not only on excursions but even cavorting off the side of the ship. I was
on the same ship at the same time, yet, the whales eluded me.
I did see the most magnificent scenery imaginable—soaring fjords, glittering blue glaciers, jade green water, trees lacy against the sky and verdant mountains. We saw that even as the glaciers recede, life is renewed by lichens and the beginnings of new forests.
I’ve become philosophical about whales and me. Personally, I think they are hiding from me. God knows, I’ve tried hard enough to see them.
First, I sought them on a whalewatching adventure in Maine on a boat that was in such cold, rough waters that I was alternately frozen and sea-sick. Then I searched for them on our first Alaska cruise, after which I vowed to return just to go on a whale watching excursion.
I was so determined to see them on this second cruise, that I even took an excursion into the Misty Fjords. The brochure for that excursion suggested that whales would be among the fantastic sights to be seen. Instead, we saw some sea lions and an eagle and got up close to the sheer walls of the fjord where we saw an ancient Tlingit glyph.
I’m not sure why the whales are avoiding me. But now I have a mission—to find whales and marvel at them to my heart’s content. Even if I have to go to Sea World to do it—by God, I will hunt those babies down!!
Just call me Ahab….
Kathe, I seem to have the same problem as you but my problem is not seeing the Sea Lions. Everyone gets a glimpse of them but I always seem to miss them, but I do not give up.
Maybe we can go on a cruise and see both sea lions and whales!!
Beautiful! There’s no need for photos when written like this!
Welcome home, I missed you and your blog.
Thanks, Cindy. I missed you, too. and yes, I missed writing the blog…
This is funny. Sorry you weren’t able to see many whales.
Kathy – – I hope the fact that the weather was CLEAR was not “lost” on you…blue skies in Alaska, which turn the waters the jade green you were describing, rather than blue gray, can be as elusive as the whale sightings! It sounds like you hit the jackpot on weather, no small prize. Several years ago we did see a few whales spouting off our Alaska cruise boat, but the whole week was gray water and gray sky, so we “missed the majesty” of the scenery. Maybe you should try a change of venue…Maui, Galapagos, or perhaps Tahiti for whale migrations, now that you’ve been to Alaska twice!
My next stop is Hawaii. And yes, we were thankful for the outstanding weather…
Whales Everywhere!!! I saw Whales Everywhere!!
I don’t know why they decided to do their songs and dances for me, but I must admit it was wonderful…next time 2013 we’ll go back..it’s a plan and you WILL see whales……I hope!
Looking forward to the next trip!! No matter what, it was a great cruise!
We ask ourselves time and time again why not me? I truly believe there is a reason and I think the good Lord has His reason. It just hasn’t been the right time. Time will tell. As you said you can always go to Sea World and see Shamu and all the other arcas who will perform for you right before your eyes.
I so enjoyed our little talk last night. We need to get together soon. Give me a call.
Mel
Thanks for the kind words, Melanie. I am sure that someday, I will see whales in the habitat.
The jade green waters and glittering glaciers sound magnificent.
I hope you enjoyed the moment.
Love,
Bobbi
Yes, the moment was so spectacular that it is etched in my memory forever…
Listen, Girlfriend. You NEED a little mystery in your life. When I think about all you have done and seen I am amazed (yes I mean amazed).
Thanks!! You always make me feel special…