Aug 31, 2010
Alaska: The Ultimate in Sensory Satisfaction
Hubby and I recently had the privilege of spending 10 glorious days at Baranof Lodge in Southeast Alaska, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure highly recommended if you’re interested in a sensory experience that will exceed your expectations, if you need a reality check that not all is wrong with the world, if you want the kind of sleep that’s barely one level above comatose, and if you embrace nature, new things and fine cuisine.
Spectacular view of a brown bear in search of a fish dinner.
Neither of us had ever been to the 49th state, only one of us had previously fished, and both of us regarded whales as overrated subjects for children’s movies. Boy were we surprised to the point of near nirvana. Following are high points of our trip, which can best be described as a series of life lessons about priorities, challenges, rewards and relationships.
* A group – from about 10 different states – that eats, hikes, fishes, relaxes, laughs, relaxes and celebrates together gets to know each other. The camaraderie was amazing.
* Catching your first fish - or by the end of the week, your first fish of the day - and still feeling your heart skip a beat.
* Eating homemade pie made with wild blueberries picked just hours before.
* Watching young bears clumsily catch salmon in streams was like watching puppies who haven’t yet grown into their paws.
* Feeling your eyeballs get wider and wider as you observe sleek humpback whales glistening, spouting, breaching and gliding through the ocean.
* Beach combing on a deserted island picking over everything from microphones and mushrooms to barnacles and bones.
* Hearing towering waterfalls, cooing ravens, growling sea lions and whispering white caps.
* Sitting in 102-degree hot springs as geothermally heated by volcanoes while being mesmerized by bald eagles flying overhead.
* Feeling the professional touch of a massage therapist to smooth out any muscle stress and tension – not that you would have any after spending time here.
* Eating perfectly prepared, freshly caught dungeness crab from a dock you can see from the table.
* Hiking in the most luscious moss-covered floors of a forest soaking in the thousand different shades of green while snacking on wild raspberries
* Realizing that, in nature, every creature seems to get along sharing the same space and resources. Not every creature survives, but it’s not because of anything negative or self-induced from their heart or mind. We can all learn from that.
For more photos and a great video, check out my Facebook page.
Enjoy!
Hi Susan – So happy to hear the trip went well! I was a little concerned for you! J We’ll have to get together soon so you can fill me in on the real details!
Absolutely no problems and best time ever! I also was concerned, but no need for worry (I find this out later). Would love to share more with you – block out a couple of hours!
So nice to hear from you, thank you for your email and all the kind words!!! We too so enjoyed having you all with us and we are looking forward to the next adventure! Thanks again and have a grand rest of the summer! Best fishes, Mike
My pleasure, and I mean that on all levels. Best fishes to you as well!
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION OF A WONDERFUL TIME AND PLACE. I'M THRIILLED WITH ASSESSMENT OF LIFE LIVED A BETTER WAY. IT'S NOT EASY "REDUCING" YOUR WORLD REALITY BACK IN NASHVILLE, IS IT? THANK YOU FOR SHARING.
The place is simply breathtaking. As soon as I figure out how to upload the video, I'll send to you. We were so blessed with and by this trip.
It was a great trip and it was great to get to know you and Gary!
You description makes me want to go back again and again!
Nina
Same here Nina – let's save our pennies (and dollars) to go again! Thanks for commenting.
Yes, it is absolutely fabulous here in Warm Springs Bay, Ak. Susan; your description was as scrumptous as I feel every morning i wake up and look out the windows of the fabulosu Mermaid Therapuetic Massage Spa. I am the luckiest girl in the world to get to be here all summer long. A whale came in the Bay a few days ago and I followed it around in my little skiff and then saw a bear feeding on a salmon at the base of one of the arms of the Bay. By the way how do i get to your facebook page to see more of your photos?
Thanks for your comments Eva! If I can't be there, I can enjoy reliving the sights and sounds through your daily adventures and experiences. A whale in the bay? WOW!