Alaska Adventure

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Once or twice in a lifetime, if one is lucky, you make a journey so special that you appreciate the unique gift of such a voyage even as you experience it, day by day. Such was our Alaska adventure.

We returned yesterday from eight days in Southeastern Alaska, where we cruised the Inland Passage on an expedition sponsored by National Geographic and Linblad Expeditions. Aboard the “Sea Lion” with sixty or so other passengers, we were led by highly trained and enthusiastic naturalists as we toured pristine wilderness and waters.

Our trip was filled with marine, land and avian wildlife, and it quickly became almost routine to be awestruck by  the variety of natural beauty during our daily adventures. The salmon had just begun to run and “everyone”, from bears to sea otters and sea lions, to eagles and wolves, were hungry and hunting. Luck never left us as we were treated to unusual sightings in and around the water. A ranger from Glacier Bay National Park said she had only seen bears and wolves interacting one other time during her eighteen years in the park.

The expedition had some anxious moments for me, whether it was motoring up to the edge of a huge glacier while in a small zodiac craft, or finding myself within a hundred yards of three Alaskan brown bears – aka “grizzly” – who were interrupted from their salmon hunt by a bunch of us on a hike. This was, of course, the one hike when I had left my camera back at the ship…

The tense times were outnumbered by joyful moments, such as motoring in a zodiac while surrounded by humpback whales. Witnessing ten whales feed in a ritual called “bubble netting” brought tears to my eyes as I watched them all leap in the air in one synchronized magical moment. The humpbacks were my favorites, and a part of my soul remains in Alaska, swimming the frigid waters with these special giants.

 

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24 Responses to Alaska Adventure

  1. Denise August 6, 2012 at 5:03 pm #

    What a wonderful sight! Sounds like a lovely lovely trip. (:

    • Liz August 7, 2012 at 8:31 am #

      It was the trip of a lifetime –

  2. Laura @ Family Spice August 6, 2012 at 5:35 pm #

    Beautiful! I can’t wait to see and read more about your trip! Wonderful memories!

    • Liz August 7, 2012 at 8:31 am #

      Thanks,Laura, and all I used was my point-and-shoot for the entire expedition – worried about all the rain.

  3. Elizabeth August 6, 2012 at 8:45 pm #

    I just knew it was going to be a wonderful journey. Wow. I am just so happy for you. Travel feeds the soul.

    • Liz August 7, 2012 at 8:30 am #

      Indeed it does!

  4. Jayne August 6, 2012 at 11:51 pm #

    How wonderful it sounds! Alaska has been on my “want to go to” list since I was a kid, one day! Lovely to hear about your trip.

    • Liz August 7, 2012 at 8:30 am #

      You will love it – I’m still resisting re-entering my world here in SoCAL.

  5. Lynda - TasteFood August 7, 2012 at 1:46 pm #

    How wonderful for you and Larry – what a fantastic journey!

  6. Carol Sacks August 7, 2012 at 7:57 pm #

    Sounds like you had a moving, unforgettable adventure. And, now you have wonderful photos to help you continue to savor it!

    • Liz August 7, 2012 at 8:13 pm #

      It was, Carol, such a beautiful journey.

  7. Deb August 7, 2012 at 8:37 pm #

    I can only imagine what a fantastic time you had! It is a trip I have always wanted to make, such an amazing journey with spectacular sights!

    • Liz August 8, 2012 at 8:53 am #

      It was a wonderful journey, in more ways than one – came home with a new perspective on lots of things.

  8. The Wimpy Vegetarian August 7, 2012 at 8:45 pm #

    I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time. This will always remain one of our favorite trips too. Your photos are just beautiful, Liz!! Welcome home.

    • Liz August 8, 2012 at 8:54 am #

      Thanks for all your tips, Susan – it was way colder than we had anticipated but we layered up and I bought ear warmers! Now we are roasting and down with colds…

  9. sippitysup August 8, 2012 at 7:30 pm #

    OMG! XOGREG

  10. Averie @ Averie Cooks August 9, 2012 at 1:27 pm #

    sounds like an amazing trip and happy for you for this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

    • Liz August 9, 2012 at 1:52 pm #

      Thanks, Averie, looking forward to catching up on your posts –

  11. Lisa August 13, 2012 at 1:36 pm #

    Liz what a special trip, how exciting to experience one of your dream trips! That’s a cruise I’d like to take someday, can’t wait to see more pictures (hint hint please bring some tomorrow!)

    • Liz August 13, 2012 at 2:18 pm #

      Thanks, Lisa, it was the trip of a lifetime – we are already planning another Alaska visit.

  12. Stephanie, The Recipe Renovator August 21, 2012 at 5:03 pm #

    It sounds like it filled your soul. Lovely.

    • Liz August 21, 2012 at 6:39 pm #

      A perfect way to express it!

  13. Jessie August 27, 2012 at 5:57 pm #

    Your writing is as smooth and rich as butter…loved the descriptions, especially about the whales.

    • Liz August 27, 2012 at 6:15 pm #

      It was so wonderful to talk with you, my friend of over 50 years!

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