August 18, 2006

Oh Canada- How I Love Thee!

For three years, I sailed aboard the Spirit of Alaska, plying the waters of the Inside Passage from Seattle to Juneau on what is now know as our Gold Rush Inside Passage cruise.  The trip took eleven days and covered over 1500 miles.  It was a wonderful mix of wilderness, ports, wildlife all displayed against the spectacular backdrop of mountains that rise straight from the water.   Three of the eleven days on this cruise were spent in the pristine waters of British Columbia, Canada and the San Juan Islands of Washington.  My favorite moment in time on each southbound cruise occurred when we left Alaska's waters and announced our arrival into Canadian waters to the Canadian Vessel Traffic Service.  Throughout our journey in Canada's Inside Passage, we were monitored by the Canadian Coast Guard.  For two and a half days, we were required to call in our position when we passed designated landmarks.   In the middle of the night, this connection was a welcome voice in the darkness and by day, the polite and courteous interaction made everything seem brighter, more alive.  Because of this requirement, I became very familiar with every cove, point and lighthouse in Canada and now, these waters are my sentimental favorite.   

Today, I found a journal entry that was submitted by the Spirit of Discovery as they navigated these waters last September.  Now, as the fleet prepares for their southbound Gold Rush Inside Passage journey, I find myself restless, wishing that I were back in the wheelhouse speaking to that kind voice in the night, feeling the mist of early morning fog and the warmth of our sunny September days.

I hope that you enjoy this journal entry as much as I do:

Day 8: Northern British Columbia

This was a restful day! We began in Grenville Channel in fairly clear weather, and made our way around Princess Royal Island, looking for the elusive Kermode bear that we never did see. Helicopter logging was seen on Princess Royal Island and as we were commenting on how quick the process was a humpback came up and sounded right off our starboard side. We practiced some knots with our second mate up on the sundeck, as we pulled up to the abandoned cannery settlement of Butedale.


Day 9: Southern British Columbia

We spent the first part of the morning from Johnstone Strait to Discovery Passage, immersed in a fog bank. It wasn't until Seymour Narrows that the skies cleared up and we could see our surroundings. We passed through the Narrows in a pretty strong wind and once we were in the Strait of Georgia, we were in for it. Most of us came out of hiding once we entered Desolation Sound and we went in to Teakerne Arm to check out Cassle Lake Falls. The evening was spent on the sundeck as we read stories about Alaska.

Day 10: San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor

We awake with the whales!! Surrounded by L pod of the Southern residents—what a way to start the day! We stayed with the whales for a while and then went to check out Lime Kiln Light on the west side of San Juan Island. After a cruise through Roche Harbor, admiring the chapel by the sea “Our Lady of Good Voyage”. Next, we inspected Speiden Island for ungulates, those wonderful hoofed mammals that were left there to be part of “Safari Island”. We did a little gunkholing around the San Juan, admiring the Olympic Mountains and the state ferries and talking about the history of the area. After lunch, we made our stop at Friday Harbor, where most of us boarded the bus for the San Juan Island tour. The whale museum was a highlight, where we figured out which pod we encountered this morning. In the evening, some of the executives from the Seattle office joined us for the night and our evening slideshow.

Day 11: Seattle

A sunrise cruise through Elliot Bay to start our lovely day. We cruised through the Ballard locks and then disembarked, off to new adventures!

Posted by Leigh on August 18, 2006 2:10 PM

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