As of yesterday we have officially left Alaska behind us; and it saw us out with a gale. Ketchikan was drenched in side-ways falling chilling rain, with wind too strong to keep an umbrella open and puddles across the roads deep enough that they were more like small lakes. I pity the Lumberjacks who’s show – I think – still had to go on in such weather.
After a true snafu with IPM and switchbacks and cancelled plans, I was perfectly content to collect lunch from the local saloon (they make the best clam chowder), and bring it back to the ship to enjoy in the comfort of the cabin. There is simply no point in braving weather like that longer than one has to.
So we are now on our final sea day back to Vancouver, from there we drop off the current back of guests and pick up those who will be joining us for the six day trek over to sunny hawai’i…something to which we are all very much looking forward (and the people who have IPM are already trying to beg borrow and steal a switch, not that anyone will be willing to trade a Honolulu overnight…but everyone always tries).
It was hard leaving Alaska this year, for one thing Amras and I have never seen out an Alaska season together; one of us has always been leaving at the end of the season, so that feels a little strange. Mostly good strange, but strange none the less. Moreover, this Alaska has given me a lot, and taken a lot and then given it back; I have more of an attachment to the land of rain and timber wolves than I sometimes really realize, and leaving it behind just at the time of year that I feel most comfortable there is a bit of a wrench. Plus, it’s a week of goodbyes, goodbye to the ports, good bye to our cruise director (who is one of the best I’ve ever worked with), goodbye to the last of the original Party Band from the beginning of the season…just so many goodbyes.
I feel…really sad today.
I know, me too…can’t put my finger on why just…is
I have no idea how this season has gone so fast. It feels like we just got here, and we’re already putting the Last Frontier to our rudder and heading for warmer climes.