We arrive at Seward, Alaska--Resurrection Bay or as it's properly known: Kenai Ford National Park. Promises are made. Board the boat for a six hour, non-stop, tour around the expansive bay, and you're sure to see an iceberg cascading into the water and an assortment of anything that flies or swims. We're hoping for whales, of course. And glimpses of beautiful scenery--which Alaska is known for.
The boat is crowded with passengers so priority number one is to stake out a place to sit. We find a table with chairs inside the boat. As soon as we leave the dock, the temps drop lower and lower. Outside, a brisk breeze can blow an iPhone out of your hands or a nine pound cat into the water.
Luckily, our table faces a window with a view. "I think Theo should stay here. Where it's safe and warm."
I expect an argument. For once, the gangster cat agrees.
"I'll come get you if we see anything. A whale, for example."
The scenery is stunning. Snow capped mountains, cliffs, craggy inlets, sea water that changes from blue to green and every shade in between, a sun that shines like a white light in the darkened cloud filled sky, and waterfalls that snake down the mountain.
We see glaciers tumble into the bay, which is not a sight you see very often in the contiguous United States.
Our first sighting are seals sunbathing on a long slim patch of ice in the water.
Then we spot seals swimming among the ice chunks in the bay.
We run and get Theo. After all, we promised. But when he gets yanked from his cozy spot and carried (he would say kidnapped) to where the seals are, he gives me the stink eye and then a cursory glance at the seals.
Really?
But . . . luckily just as we're about to bring him back inside, we make his day. Small white birds are perched on a nearby mountain side. I mean there's nothing too unique about them. White birds. Kittiwakes? Theo spots them immediately.
What is it with cats and birds?
We hold onto Theo, expecting that given the chance, he'll leap off the boat and somehow swim across the icy water to get to those birds. Holding Theo captive is no easy feat while you're trying to take photos. He begins to make that cackling sound. His tail is wagging.
"Calm down. You see birds all the time at home."
What you see you can't unsee! Did someone famous say that?
Now he's twisting and turning with a clearly defined mission. I'm afraid if I bring him back inside, he'll sneak out again.
We are in a quandary. Is it time for a snack? A distraction?
Just as that thought hits me like a bolt of lightning, the birds are out of view. The boat picks up speed.
We're headed to a family of whales that have been spotted, way out in the distance, barely bigger than flecks of black in the water.
Yippee!!
And, believe it or not, even Theo looks excited. Have we finally found something he is keen to watch, besides birds?
Stay tuned for Part 2 next week.
