A Whale of a Day

I woke this morning to the deep, resonate rumble of a fog horn. Yawn 🥱, where am I? Ah yes, we ever-older folks are off on a new adventure, traveling again to Alaska and Canada albeit via a new route since our last trek to this part of the world. It’s been a tough year for us. I am looking forward to the spiritual renewal bestowed by wild landscapes and breathtaking vistas. We plan to take turns cycling and driving the camper so hopefully we will also get back in shape.

We are traveling in the Truck with Star, our 14 1/2 year old Australian Shepard in tow. She’s pretty darn content these days to snooze away most of the day and has laid claim to her favorite seat since she no longer has to compete with Jack. Right now, Star is chilling out down on the vehicle deck (dogs aren’t allowed upstairs). We’re on the ferry from Bellingham Washington to Haines Alaska. It’s a 2 1/2 day 900+ mile journey up the Inside Passage. We are allowed on the car deck to feed and walk her on the “poop deck” every six hours or so.

It’s a glorious day and I am sitting outside in the sun scanning for ocean animals. The Captain announced a pod of Orcas this morning but I wasn’t quick enough to see them. Fingers-crossed some more will make an appearance.

This ferry is not a luxury cruise ship by any standard. We have a basic stateroom rather than a tent on the deck and it suits us just fine. There is no cell service or WIFI, a welcome respite from our hyper-connected world. Jim was able to get pie and ice cream for breakfast so all is right with the world.

Just saw an Orca whale breaching!! Hurray! A good omen!

Another Orca pod! At least 3 in the group. Quite a display… including a full breach. And a bit later…another pod, and another! And again while we ate dinner! So exciting! Such a good day for the soul.

This blog is being posted late. Between being off grid periodically and issues with the blog app, it has taken a while to post. Hopefully there will be more missives soon. Thanks for giving me an excuse to write. Barb

13 thoughts on “A Whale of a Day”

  2. LOVE this peek into your travels Barb!
    So happy all is going well! Once again living vicariously through you!
    I’ll look forward to your next post!
    Love you! Jan

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    1. Looks like a great trip so glad that Jim got his ice cream in the morning. It’s a good start to the day. Enjoy you too. We look forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

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  5. Hi Barb and Jim,

    We were hoping you’d send a few travelog notes during your treck! Going via the Alaska Marine ferry may go with limited frills, but ice cream for breakfast would be tops on my list. Our travel back from the WA San Juan Islands Weds. was more evidence you are headed in the right direction (North). We started the day with an hour delay in departing Friday Harbor due to an unruly passenger decking the lead deckhand on the WA ferry. Three sheriff cars worth of officers hauled the guy away in handcuffs. Hwy 20 North Cascades to Mazamma was closed off due to a fire. Hwy 2 partly closed due to a fire, I-90 partly closed due to a hazmat tractor / trailer accident. .Weaving and bobbing we made it back to Spokaloo. Lisa and I will wander over to check out your orchard later this weekend. We’ll report our taste bud findings. J & L.

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    1. So happy to be able to be traveling with you again via your blog. The pictures are beautiful including the one with Jim eating pie and ice cream for breakfast. Seems like each travel blog has at least one picture of Jim eating pie and or ice cream.
      I have faith that the two of you will be back in biking shape in no time. The incrediable beauty of Alaska will help feed your soul and keep you going.

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  7. Great to be able to join Jim and yourself on another trek.
    I’m pleased to see that Jim has retained his capacity for copious and all hours consumption of pie and ice cream!

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  8. Yay for seeing the Orcas! And so happy to see Jim’s happy face eating pie and ice cream. I was wondering if you had Star with you. Glad she is touring with you. Your adventures always impress! Have fun and looking forwards to pictures and updates, but how nice to be “disconnected.”

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  9. Glad to see you are back on the road. I took the ferry up many years ago, en route to hike over the Chllkoot pass ( and also opted for a cabin over my tent on the deck). Hope you have a wonderful trip, and look forward to hearing more about your adventure.

    Mary

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  10. Wonderful pictures and so nice to see you relaxing on the beautiful Inside Passage with great weather. Made the pizza a couple nights ago. Thanks for dinner! It was topped with carmelized onions and mushrooms in a red pepper garlic basalmic with fresh basil and tomatoes. yum! We hope that one of these years we will get to take the boat to Alaska. Not this year. Thanks for letting us follow along on your adventures! XOXOXO Mary Jo

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