North To The Future

Naturalist, John Burroughs wrote, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.” This is, of course, part of the appeal of taking a cruise to Alaska, and so the adventure began.

I rendezvoused with my son, Josh and daughter-in-law, Barbara at a hotel in Seattle. After a good night’s rest, we hired a driver from the hotel to take us to the dock, where we, and our 5 pieces of luggage, were unceremoniously dropped off. It was a beautiful sunny day, which was a bit of luck since we had started out with 6 pieces of luggage, and our ship was at a different dock several miles away. So far, this was not a soothing experience.

After 15 minutes, the driver returned, loaded us, and our 5 pieces of luggage, back into his car and drove us to the correct destination. This time we could see our ship and a million fellow passengers, so we knew we were in the right place. Boarding was relatively easy. Once we unpacked, Josh arranged that the partitions between our balconies be removed, so we could have one big balcony to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to tell me that he had done this, so when he pounded on the glass of my balcony door, I thought I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie being attacked by sea gulls.

After my senses were put back into order, we explored the magnificent ship and began to relax, as we enjoyed a day at sea on our way to the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” The cabins, the food, the entertainment and the amenities were excellent. And, without a doubt, this was a clean ship! I have never been so sanitized in my entire life. At every turn someone carrying a leather bota would spritz my hands---not with wine, but disinfectant. The dining room was beautiful, but so sterile that it could have served as an operating theatre if the waiter had decided to fillet one of the guests instead of a fish.  By gum! No one was getting sick on this vessel.

Ketchikan, Alaska’s wettest city treated us to a glorious sunny day, and after touring Saxman Totem Pole Park, and learning about the artistry and history of Alaska’s native peoples, we enjoyed a rowdy action-packed Lumberjack Show featuring some of the world’s best lumberjacks---who chopped, sawed, threw axes, speed climbed, log rolled and managed to finish with all of their fingers and toes intact. Barbara told Josh that he was absolutely not allowed to go out and buy power tools.

The next day, three pilots came aboard to lead us through the inside passage, past the glaciers of Tracy Arm, but the floating ice was too dangerous, so instead we were guided through the Dawes Glacier area that turned out to be a special treat. The Captain invited the three of us and a few other privileged guests to view the magnificent blue (refracted light) glacier from the Heliport, so we bundled up in our winter jackets, hats and mittens and climbed to the top of the ship. It was too cold for me, so I took a few photos and decided to go to my cabin balcony where the view would be good, but I could pop into my cabin to warm up. On the way, down the hall, I passed a woman who asked me, “Is it cold out there?” I answered, “Global warming has not turned it into bikini weather yet, Lady.” She replied, “I guess then I should put on a sweater.” That’s when I decided there is a difference between the phrases, “It’s good talking to you,” and “It’s good talking with you.” She was the kind of person who could have asked me, “Do you know a sure cure for sea sickness?” and I would have had to answer, “Stand next to a cactus.”

Juneau, Alaska’s capital city was our next stop, where the Gold Rush of 1880 took second place to our shopping spree of 2013. Before returning to our ship to get ready for our whale watch on the Rum Runner Charter Boat, we stopped at the famous Red Dog Saloon. Again, the weather cooperated, and we were taken to Captain Chris’ boat where we sailed away and were treated to the sight of a pod of 7 whales.

We kept a respectful distance but those suckers were really BIG! “Thar She Blows” took on a whole new meaning for me when little air spurts turned into huge graceful creatures swimming not too far from our little boat. We also saw sea lions, seals and eagles on our voyage.

The frontier town of Skagway was our last stop in Alaska. While Barbara and Josh took a ride on the White Pass and Yukon Route Train, I walked about town enjoying the historic district. Our last ports were Victoria, Canada where we took a buggy ride around town, and then Seattle where we spent a glorious day with family.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip. This was my third sojourn to Alaska, but seeing it through the eyes of my children made it very special.  It made me realize that when you get old, you will regret the things you failed to do, more than the things you did.

Esther Blumenfeld (Waking a sleeping grizzly to snap his picture is not a good idea.)