Category Archives: Alaska

The Call Still Sounds – Ketchikan – [05/31/2012]

Days like this, sprinkled with light Alaska rain and drenched in unexpected sunlight (and trust me, sunlight in Alaska is a rare thing indeed), with the taste of chocolate rich on your tongue and the confidence brought on by a … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline, Reflections | Leave a comment

Return to the Midnight Sun – Glacier Bay – [05/30/2012]

There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold And the arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold… Two years, two years nearly to the day…since I … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Ports of Call | Leave a comment

Black & White – At Sea – [05/30/2012]

There are times when the job gets to be too much, when you’re so exhausted that you can’t see straight and every little thing seems to be about to reduce you into tears. When your roommate keeps you awake all … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska | Leave a comment

Parting of the Ways – At Sea – [05/27/2012]

You were my strength when I was weak You were my voice when I couldn’t speak I lost my will you gave it back to me You saw the best there was in me… What feels like a long time … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline, Reflections | Leave a comment

All Ashore who are Going Ashore – Vancouver – [05/26/2012]

The key to overcoming buyer’s remorse is to take your time, take one room and make it your own….introduce yourself to the house This is also what it feels like walking onto a new ship. This was someone else’s home, … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline, Reflections, Travel | Leave a comment

Untitled – 09/24/2011

And then there’s the day when you turn in your keys, print off your handover notes, belt out one last karaoke number, try not to cry when your best friends debark 24 hours before you…and call it all a day. … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska | Leave a comment

Corner of Bitter and Sweet – At Sea/Inside Passage – [09/21/2011]

The last week of a contract is like the last week of a show. Every second suddenly becomes that little bit more heightened, every dance number you perform (or watch in this case), every song you sing, becomes different, takes … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline | Leave a comment

Wrapping it all up – Ketchikan – [09/21/2011]

It’s hard to believe that this is the last Alaskan port I’ll see until next season, and that’s always assuming I get the Alaska run next season. That’s never a sure thing. As it is we’re ending the season with … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Ports of Call | Leave a comment

Before and After – At Sea [09/19/2011]

Sometimes there really is only Before and After. There are events that just split your life in half. Before High School, After High School, before your First Love and after. And for me (and for a lot of the people … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline | Leave a comment

Motion of the Ocean – At Sea – [09/18/2011]

I’ve said before that there are things you have to deal with ship-side that you wouldn’t think of worrying about when you work most shore-side jobs. Missing the ship is one of the obvious ones, the other is something that’s … Continue reading

Posted in Alaska, Below the waterline | Leave a comment