I guess time runs short when you are having fun. Our last (non-travel) day in Southeast Alaska had already rolled around. It was another beauty of a day. Bluebird skies, calm as can be and perfect temperatures. Given all that we decided to head out into the ocean again to see some sights. We made the run out Icy Strait and Cross Sound and it was pretty much glass with a few swirling currents.
I was really interested in getting up close and personal with a view of the Fairweather range. 15,000 feet of mountain essentially coming straight out of the Gulf of Alaska? Yes please! We were able to get a view of the mountains from our journey from the day before, but it was just enough to whet the appetite.
We were pretty lucky to have such a nice day, it felt like we had free reign to run around in the open ocean and take in the sights. And that is exactly what we did.
We added sea lions, the most exposed lighthouse I’ve ever seen and some impressive kelp beds to our list, got a view of a mountain goat and then moved on to Astrolabe for a view of the Kittiwakes nesting in the rocks. It seemed like there were thousands, all keyed in on a specific habitat feature of protected cliffs.
All this is on display and happening every day. It’s just that most days we aren’t around to appreciate it. Maybe that is what makes it special. But it gets me to thinking about how to get out and appreciate all that is happening around us just a little more often. After all, in the words of my favorite philosopher, “If you don’t do it now, you’ll be one year older when you do”.
We made it out to Palma Beach, but things were getting rough enough that we couldn’t consider landing. It looked like a place to spend a few days (a week?) so maybe it was good we didn’t go ashore. I don’t know if I would have been willing to go back aboard after just a short visit. Next time….
Just as soon as we arrived at Palma we saw fog in the distance. The weather was changing and not for the better. We made for Icy Strait but not before the waves started to kick up. Our day of exploration was over. Plus, we had halibut we needed to transform into fish and chips, so we headed back. We stopped for lunch along the way at Idaho inlet, soaking in just a bit more of that great southeast Alaska blue, and we were able to get in one more hike on an interesting trail to see a bit of muskeg.
Our time was drawing to a close, and like all good trips, just a bit too soon.
We had some of the most tasty fish and chips ever along with a rousing game of Catan before we called it a night and retreated to the cabin.
Before we knew it the sun was up and we were on the water, on the first leg of the journey home. After three trips to Alaska, all to the southeast, I feel more and more like there is more to see than time to see it. I suppose that is a good thing, but it doesn’t exactly get me excited to head back to work.
We took a brief tour of southeast on the way home as we hopscotched from town to town: Gustavus, Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Ketchikan, then finally to Seattle and home. It’s time to make plans for the next trip for another Alaska adventure. Where and when will it be?
Here’s to the future.
