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Alaska has a rainforest?

Kayak break!
Kayak break!
Yes! The largest temperate rainforest in the world. Little did I know that a cruise in Alaska could also be an adventure. Kayaking, camping, hiking, and swimming with icebergs...this is an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Wilderness Explorer.
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The Adventure Begins

May 13, 2010
For comparison's sake
For comparison's sake (Marissa Jensen)
Today I have the privilege of flying to Seattle with my good friend Renee. The flight went fast as we chatted the entire time. Once in Seattle, I connect with the light rail to get to downtown Seattle. I feel like I am Europe embarking on an exciting journey by train, plane, taxi and boat. Note to self, when trying to get a taxi in downtown Seattle, stay in one place. I keep walking from block to block where I would see a ton of taxis and then when the light would change, they were gone. This afternoon, I meet up with my travel mates for the next week and we head out by LIMO to do boat inspections. After the inspections we had a presentation about the new Adventure Cruise with InnerSea Discoveries while we enjoyed carefully selected wines and hors d'oeuvres. To bed somewhat late for our early departure tomorrow (4:45 AM) at the gorgeous Maxwell Hotel. Wish I could have enjoyed the cable and big bed to myself a little longer..but this is an adventure. No rest for the adventurous or so I would find out!

Off to Alaska

May 14, 2010
Enjoying the marine life of Alaska
Enjoying the marine life of Alaska (Marissa Jensen)
Our morning flight north to Alaska is only about 2 hours. Today is gorgeous with bright blue sky, crystal blue water and bright sun. Even the locals have spring fever as they are excited to see the sun. Ketchikan is a small seaside town that caters to fishermen and cruises alike. We spend the day previewing activities to do here prior to embarking on cruise. You can rent a skiff with Ketchikan Outdoors and skiff about the sea to spot wildlife. You can also snorkel. Yes that's right I said snorkel. Snorkel Alaska suits clients up with 7 mil wet suits and then drop you off in 50-65 degree water. Spend the next two hours exploring the deep blue where you will see star fish, sea cucumbers and much more. This afternoon we have lunch at the Cape Fox hotel where we have a presentation from Joe. Joe is the former mayor of Saxman village, a local native american village near Ketchikan. He explains the history Tlingit indians. I am in awe of his vast knowledge the history of this surviving culture. After lunch we explore Creek street. It looks like a ghost town. However only hours early, the 700 plus people from the Norweign Pearl flooded the streets. Right before we board the boat, we get to board the Aleutian Ballard, one of the boats used on the Discovery Channels the 'Deadliest Catch'. We learn about the crew and their former lives as seamen on the show. They have turned the adventures into educational activities for cruisers who want to learn about the fishing industry. Then we are off to our boat. We are exploring this new itinerary on the Safari Quest. This boat operates with American Safari Cruises, InnerSea Discoveries sister company. This is a 22 passenger boat and there are a total of 15 passengers on board. It is gorgeous. I get my own king bed! And my own bathroom and closet. I won't know what to do with all the space. As we watch the town of Ketchikan disappear in background, my mates and I get to know each other a little better. It is going to be a fun week with this gang! Captain Dan Blanchard, owner/operator of American Safari Cruises and InnerSea Discoveries is a treat. He will be known as "Capn Dan" the rest of the week.

Insight into the Tlingit

May 15, 2010
Holding the starfish
Holding the starfish (Marissa Jensen)
Today we dock in the small port town of Klawok. Here we meet the mayor of the town Leslie. He takes us on a tour of the town. This small port town is know for its Totem Poles. We walk through town until we reach a shop where Jon runs the Totem pole program. They are working on replacing the 8 or so Totem poles in the center of town. Each pole takes approximately 3-4 months. Careful emphasis is placed on the pole that will be uses as well as the story that is told with the poles unique carvings. The program is run in conjunction with the local high school. The high school students must apply to be a carver and it is a great honor to be selected. But it is not a job taken lightly. In the summer, the students are required to start work at 6 AM. The idea is to provide the students with discipline which they then can carry on with them later in life. This afternoon, we are off on our overnight adventure. We meet our adventure guide Patti who is a complete treat. She use to live about 45 minutes from where I know live in Montana so it is nice to speak with a local. We will head out for our 7 mile kayaking adventure. All of our camping gear, food and clothing is loaded into dry bags and placed inside the front and backs of the kayaks. The rest of the afternoon is spent kayaking to our camping destination. Because my kayak partner is a renowned photographer, we stop often for him to take pictures. Today is the first day that I hear my first whale blow and I am in awe. We paddle as fast as we can to where we thought we heard the sound with the hopes of catching a glance of these enormous beasts. To our disappointment, we don't see them (and now we have to kayak back to the group). We land at a small island in the middle of nowhere to make camp. After tethering our kayaks and finding a place to set up our tents, it is time for some rest and relaxation. Pattie quickly get the fire going and places some stew on the fire. It is the best thing I have ever tasted and so toasty warm. We even have small seats to sit on and some wine! I wish I could say I slept like a baby but to the contrary. I was initially prepared to not get sleep because of the cold. That was not the case however as I stayed nice and warm. It was actually the whale tales slapping the water in the dark and the animal screeching on the beach. Pattie thinks the animal was possibly mink mating...I thought it was something being eaten with the horrific sounds it made. But what an experience to camp in Alaska!

Alaska's Rainforest

May 16, 2010
Enjoying the marine life of Alaska
Enjoying the marine life of Alaska (Marissa Jensen)
We wake early this morning to begin our journey back to the boat. I am exhausted and can't bare the thought of kayaking 13 miles today. Luckily it is only 7 and we are back at the boat in time for lunch. I thought the overnight trip was one of the best ways to see the wildlife of Alaska. We saw sea otters, eagles and seals. In fact, we had a seal follow us for most of the day today. He would sneak up behind us and then slap his tail on the water. I almost tipped our kayak one time which did not make the photographer very happy understandably with all his gear. After lunch we head to the Tongass National Park. Here we meet some park rangers and they give us the history of the park. This is where I realize Alaska has the largest remaing temperate rainforest in the world. It is beautiful! Tons of moss and beautiful fern line the forest floor. This afternoon we put on our headlamps and head into the El Capitan cave. Every day and every new adventure, I am still in the awesomeness of the beautiful region. Tonight I watch the sun set on the open water.

Baranoff Island

May 17, 2010
Just a comparison in size
Just a comparison in size (Marissa Jensen)
This morning, I am out in the kayak early. The water is glass and the quiet of our kayaks moving through the water is eerie. As we round the bend into the cove, we see an old whaling station. When we make it to land, I am amazed by the technology of using water to run an entire while station. You can see old pipes that lead from the nearby waterfalls to what use to be one of the main buildings. With the lush background and the stream bed, I am hoping to see a bear. No such luck. We do however, stumble upon bear claw marks on the inside of an old whale oil tank. Seeing the bear scratches makes me sort of glad we didn't run into a bear. This afternoon we make it to another cove where we hike to the top of the island. It is here that see my first whale and I am as giddy as a child Christmas morning. It was so relaxing to sit at the top of this hill overlooking the sea and just follow the whale's path. I am addicted and can't wait for more.

Ford's Terror...Well it's not that scary

May 18, 2010
Hiking Alaska
Hiking Alaska (Marissa Jensen)
Today we are 100% dependent on the tide. We must make it into the narrow passage of Ford's Terror during high tide. We take explore the wilderness area by skiff. Again hoping to see some land life but we are a little too early in the season. I can feel the Captain's urgency as we explore the area. We have to be out of the passage before the tide completely lowers. My adrenaline is rushing as I listen to the Captain communicate with the first mate about the tide. We do make it in time but to watch the water rush out of the passage is incredible. It is like we are whitewater rafting. I can only imagine what the first settler's thought when they explore this area by canoe...hence the name Ford's Terror.

Whales! Oh My!

May 19, 2010
Hiking Alaska
Hiking Alaska (Marissa Jensen)
Today we are out on yet another kayaking adventure. This will be one of our first in open water so we have a safety briefing on what to do if you capsize and how to avoid that. We will be kayaking about 3 hours to Sail Island. Cap'n Dan has decided to join us. We are a small group of about 4 kayaks for a total of 8 people. It is fun to have Cap'n Dan along as he is a wealth of knowledge. About 2 hours into our adventure, Cap'n Dan notices something floating at the surface of the water. Upon closer inspection, he informs us that it is a humpback whale floating on the surface of the water. When the whales sleep, they stay close to the surface so they have a steady air supply. But they only shut off half of their brains at a time so they are fully aware of their surroundings. We get closer and slowly following this massive creature. Cap'n Dan starts to hit his kayak with his paddle to make sure the whale knows we are there...no need to have the whale breech under one of our kayaks. Once Dan wakes the whale, we do get to see the whale tail. I can't believe that I caught it on video. You can hear the tenseness of the situation. The creatures are amazing!!

Swimming with Glaciers

May 20, 2010
Hiking Alaska
Hiking Alaska (Marissa Jensen)
Yes, you read it right...swimming with Glaciers. Today we are in Endicott Arm. We get to take the kayaks out to get a closer view of Dawe's Glacier. The sound the cracking ice makes is eerie. Watching the Glacier calf is even more amazing. We can't get too close as some of the chunks of ice that fall off cause great waves that have potential to capsize us. We also have to beware of kayaking too close to the icebergs. They can turn over and be even bigger on the underside. The wind coming off the Glacier is also making it hard for us to keep the kayak in one place. After returning to the boat, it is time swim amongst the Glaciers. It is exhilarating, it makes me feel alive. I have to do it two more times just to be sure I am still alive. Thanks goodness there is hot chocolate and a hot tub waiting for me. Tonight we have the captain's dinner. The staff has gone all out with decorations, costumes and much more. The mood is slightly dampened by the swaying of the boat and breaking of glass as we hit some rough water. Thanks to our trusty captain, we make it to a cove where we anchor for the evening. I can't decide if I am sad that it is our last night in this amazing place or if I am excited to go home. In the end, I think it must be a little of both.

Juneau, Alaska

May 21, 2010
Alaska Fishing
Alaska Fishing (Marissa Jensen)
This morning we enjoy our last wonderful breakfast before we disembark in Juneau. I spend the morning exploring Juneau before we head to the airport. What an amazing week exploring Southeast Alaska.

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