Alaska is a magical and fascinating place. The harbor seals, humpback whales, porpoises, different types of birds, waterfalls, glaciers, and icebergs are amazing!! Alaska is a comforting place. - Sydney Matteson, age 9
The most amazing thing about today was when we were cruising in the Zodiacs and a harbor seal came up 3 feet away. It stared at us for 30 seconds. Its head was huge, but cute and he did a flip for us, right there. - Courtney Matteson, age 10
I clicked away but every time the camera clicked the harbor seals ducked under the water. Three times they came really close but each time I was too slow. Though I didn't get a picture of the seals I will never forget the excitement that flowed through my body at those three special moments. - Kristen Tomlinson, age 13
The thing I liked the best was the humpback whales and the nice people, especially the helpers. - Shayna Nagel, age 10
Gentle sighs expressed the tender thoughts evoked by the sight of harbor seal mothers and pups as they peered at us with expressions of curiosity and guarded nervousness. A new generation of pinnipeds was developing here in Tracy Arm riding their frozen nursery pads as they shifted with the tides. Although their time together would be only a brief few weeks, each female protected her offspring and seemed to be teaching it the facts of life.
Our armada of rubber boats held promise for the future too. Here within our tiny community of newly found friends we could observe the interactions of parents and their progeny, be they child, teen or adult. And we could share in the pleasure of discovery with youngsters, not our own in blood but of a broader family sense. Laughter echoed from canyon walls, the result of playful teasing conversation. Squeals of delight penetrated the forest edge as youthful exuberance willed a kite skyward on a windless day. Memories of the week will bond each with the other, families and friends, floating in the wilds of an Alaskan summer.
