Keeping resurrection at bay

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  Seward, Alaska
Sunday, May 22, 2011

Harold Camping's prediction of the rapture occurring on May 21, 2011 came and went uneventfully.  Perhaps the only thing that rose were levels of anxiety in some folks.  I guess I viewed it as more of a "Doris kind of Day - ...what ever will be will be."  I was nearly 100% sure the rapture would not occur, I mean afterall, the Good Book instructs that no one will know the hour or the day, but still there was that infinitesimal hint of doubt that left me wanting to hedge my bet. Thus, Ronda and I spent the day on an exciting Alaskan day cruise at Resurrection Bay.





Our adventure started the day before as we explored the city of Seward, enjoying wonderful seafood, walking along the docks, visiting the Alaska Sea Life Center and applying the patch.  Yes, you read correctly - applying the patch.  My history of motion sickness is legendary.  The second largest incident of pollution in the gulf of Mexico, second only to the recent oil disaster, was my digestive spills while chaperoning a group of boy scouts on a deep sea fishing trip many years ago.  I have contemplated taking dramamine before taking a bath.  When it comes to taking a trip on the open waters, I go from a capable, healthy, adult male to a wimpy, sappy, gelatinous mess.  Thank goodness, we stopped in to visit the salesperson at the cruise ticket office.  She told me that she was just like me, but when she applies the patch the day before the trip (patch is good for three days once applied), she absolutely has no sea sickness problems.  Needless to say, the patch was immediately applied.  She suggested also to sit in the rear of the boat where the weight is heaviest and always face forward toward the bow.  What I didn't consider at the time was that she had probably told everyone who experienced sea sickness the same information.


  

The next day, we arrived early and secured our location on the boat.  The water at the dock was mirror smooth and all was well as we headed out into Resurrection Bay.  Early on we saw two playful sea otters and a couple of cute puffins.  For an instant, I thought about Harold Camping's prediction and wondered if there were any connection between his prediction and the story of Noah's Ark.  Thankfully, a group of six or seven porpoise visited us and the two-of-every-species pattern was broken.  


   


The cruise was fantastic.  As the trip through the bay progressed, we witnessed amazing wildlife including sea otters, porpoises, rare species of seagulls, sealions, harbor seals, puffins, gray whales, humpback whales, and orca whales.  Another interesting observation was how varied the waters were in color across the bay.  We saw so many different shades of green, blue and gray.  The dark gray, nearly black water is not polluted, but nutrient-rich and attracts the many whales that visit the area.  In spite of the sometimes choppy water, I felt confident enough to wander around the boat and take photos of my majestic surroundings.  At one point, several porpoises playfully swam with the boat.  I managed to get to the bow of the boat, leaning forward against the rail reminiscent of Leonardo DiCapri in the movie Titanic and take a few photos and a short video of the mammals.  Unimaginable!  That patch was miraculous.  It worked so well that I returned to the cabin and enjoyed two cups of coffee, a sandwich, and a snickers bar.  Wow!  Unfortunately, the ambiance was less than warm and inviting as our end of the cabin was filled with fellow motion sickness-prone people.  There was a lot of heave ho-ing going on and, as you know, that can be very contagious.  However, in my case, pass the liverwurst and beef stew, I'm wearing a freakin' miracle patch. 



 


Rain fell off and on throughout the voyage, but it did not stop us from enjoying a great trip.  We stopped at the Kenai Fjords glacier.  What a sight to see.  Unfortunately, the glacier didn't calve while we were there, but still it was a very thrilling experience.  

   


With the onset of spring, it is like living in a completely different state.  It seemed that in a matter of a few days, the snow disappeared and green popped out of everywhere.  Of course, it helps to have so many hours of sunlight.  Darkness sets in around two or two thirty in the morning these days.  With so many hours of sunlight, things grow very quickly around here.  Driving to Seward and back to Anchorage was nearly as beautiful as the cruise.  We saw white Dall sheep, wind surfers, and beautiful scenery. 




I look forward to writing more about Alaska as my time here continues.  I'm hoping there is a king salmon in my future and maybe even a halibut.  In the meantime, I am thankful that Harold Camping's prediction was off.  It reminds me of Kenny Chesney's song when he sings, "Everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to go now."  Talk to you next time God willing.

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I'm either at pitcher's mound or second base	Pioneer Peak after a "high five"	Birds - Brenda?	Bird, duck - Brenda? again
Getting my ducks in a row?

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