Day 2 at sea, June 7, 2011

The Ferry Columbia, June 7, 2011.  Sea lions and whale sightings were the high points of this day.  Annie was suffering the effects of motion sickness this morning so we passed on the side trip to Sitka.  Instead, we had lunch aboard the Columbia and that seemed to settle her stomach a little.  We also sat in the front observation deck for several hours and spotted three whales.  What kind they were, I do not know.  The naturalist on board says that the dominant species here in the summer is humpbacks who travel here from the Hawaiian Islands to feed.  Evidently, the humpbacks breed in the islands and when that assignment is complete, swim 3000 miles to the Alaskan waters to feed and store fat for the next breeding season.  I might elect to go hungry and stay in the islands for as long as it lasts.  

We also spotted a sea lion in the harbor at Sitka.  He\she - I wouldn't know the difference - swam to the boat, then disappeared.  It was a sizeable creature, weighing three to five hundred pounds in my estimation. I wouldn't try to guess the weight any closer than that.  All I can say with certitude is that it was a big sea lion.  

Aside from that limited activity, we watched some more of the most beautiful country anywhere.  For hundreds of miles now, we have seen one set of snow-covered mountains after another stream by the Columbia.  When we begin to think there can’t possibly be any more, there are; for mile after mile.  It is a fitting and apt way to say goodbye to Alaska.  And, the scenery and wildlife will make me always want to come back.  

Tonight, Annie and I watched some old 8 mm films that we had converted to DVD.  Each section is about 90 minutes in length.  We have watched three sections so far.  I have watched Annie from age ten to age nineteen.  She was as beautiful then as she is now.  I am a lucky man.  

There will be two more port calls tonight, St. Petersburg and Wrangell. Both will happen while most of the world is asleep.  Each is for less than an hour.  I see no reason to go ashore.  However, there will be a four-hour stop tomorrow in Ketchikan.  We plan to go ashore there and celebrate Annie's birthday and our 43rd anniversary.  Geesh, that's a long time since June 8, 1968 when we were married at the First Baptist Church of Raytown.  But, I remember it well.  I counted myself lucky then, and I still do.