Rough Water

Reading the news about the cruise ship that was in trouble going through Drake's Passage, on it's way to Antarctica bought back some memories.....

Although I could never afford the $8-10,000 for a one week trip, I've read and dreamed about taking a cruise to Antarctica and working there for a year. The thought of going through Drakes Passage at the tip of Cape Horn fascinates and terrifies me at the same time.
I've been in very high seas, back in 2004. I had signed up for a tour of the Fiord's out of Juneau, Alaska. It was a twelve hour day trip. After cruising about ninety minutes from port, the weather had taken a very nasty turn. The seas were so high, the tour boat that held about seventy passengers, was getting tossed around like a toy. Deck chairs and trash cans were flung overboard as the ship gyrated back and forth, getting slammed by the next wave. All passengers were already inside the small cabin, to avoid the wet salty spray, that stung when it hit your face. Most had their heads buried in there arms, folded on the tables. I kept thinking to myself, it must be this "very" young Captains first adventure taking the controls of the ship. He seemed to be getting hit from the side by each of the waves. I later learned he was very experienced. The unpredictable turbulence of the Alaskan waters is very real.
The plastic deck chair that I was sitting in would come off the deck about 6-8" every time the ship slammed down into the next troth. I'm always up for a great adventure, and didn't want to miss the excitement and enjoyed the adrenalin rush. There was only one young man and myself out on the deck. His fiance and the rest of the passengers were inside. There were so many people getting sick in the small salon, yuck. Who would want to miss the raging seas, the howling wind, and be inside with all the retching? Not me!
At this point, the captain announced, "if" we could make it another hour or so, we would be through the worst of it. There seemed to be no worry and there was no call for life jackets. Another thirty minutes went by....suddenly, the ship slammed so hard into a huge wave, that I lost my grip on the rail, the chair went flying across the deck with me in it, spread eagle, hoping to grab anything. I thought I was going over the rail. The young man grabbed the arm of my chair as I slid by and I grabbed his arm. His eyes were as wide as saucers, as I'm sure mine were. Somehow, we quickly, wiggled and scooted our chairs back to the center of the ship right by the entrance to the cabin, locked our arms around the rail by the door and sighed a HUGE sigh, then laughed like crazy! In a situation like this, things run through your mind. Was there a chance that the ship might go down as so many in Alaska do? I realized that I wasn't terrified, just excited, and that if I went into the water, so be it. What a way to go, experiencing a fabulous adventure. I thought, this is what it's like for all the sailors and fishermen that work out on the ocean, everyday.
A few minutes later, the captain announced that the seas were about to get rougher. I could hear the people inside screaming in fear, some shouting, NOOOO! Soon, at the terrified bequest of all the passengers inside, the Captain was coming about, and heading back to Juneau.
Although disappointed that we didn't get to the Fiord's, I have to admit, I was relieved that we would NOT be experiencing rougher water. The cruise company refunded the cost of the trip. The weather was pretty bad the rest of the week, so I haven't experienced the Fiord's, YET!
(There were no photos taken on this adventure. I didn't want to risk loosing my camera, so it stayed in my backpack, in the cabin).
Taking the Antarctic cruise and experiencing Drake's Passage is on my Bucket List!

Below is a video link to the cruise ship that was recently in trouble in Drake's Passage.

http://www.usatoday.com/video/index.htm?bctid=703298531001


Remember...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming , WOW, WHAT A RIDE!

October 3rd, 2009

October 3rd, 2009

Here I sit at the dining room table in Paxson, AK. I’m gazing out the window as the snow is pouring down. Tiny light flakes coming to rest on the evergreen branches. I can see and hear a huge black raven clucking and cawing, I also hear hooting? I just got up and opened the door to see if I could find where the hooting was coming from. I’m still trying to catch a glimpse of the elusive owl that lives somewhere here in the trees by the river. The complete silence makes your ears attune to the slightest sound. To my amazement, it was the raven that was hooting! Native folk lore calls the raven “The Trickster”, he certainly is, he mimics what he hears! I wish I could have had the room in my suitcase to bring my movie camera. I would have loved to catch that on video. He sat on the branch high up in the spruce tree, bobbing his head up and down, hooting and clucking. I watched for 30-40 seconds and as soon as I raised the camera, he flew off to who knows where.......... I stood for a moment wishing I could follow him just to hear his story again.
It was time to check for eggs. Entering the chicken pen and walking towards the coup, I startled the Magpie as he flew out, egg yolk dripping from his beak...GGGRRRRR. Two of the six eggs had been pecked open and their contents devoured by the insidious magpie! He had not gotten to the lone cold egg that was in the farthest nesting box. Thank goodness, one of the hens is very protective and pecks at anyone or any bird, that tries to remove the eggs she's sitting on, three to be exact! I pulled my sleeve down over my hand and endured the multiple sharp pecks as I lifted her and quickly grabbed the three warm eggs that she was keeping under careful watch.
I retrieved the two dogs from their pen, covered in a blanket of white, back to the house. Much to their dismay, they are blockaded in the entrance way until they dry off. I play the harmonica (very loose term) to entertain myself, both dogs sit, stick their noses in the air, and howl along. I’m not sure if they enjoy the sound or are begging me to stop the painful noise! I think it’s the latter.....poor things!
Looking out the window toward where the mountain was out in a beautiful display yesterday, with the caribou grazing everywhere, all I can see is a curtain of white. Everyday is a different palate, a tribute to Mother Nature and her magnificent power.
It’s a good day to cuddle up next to the wood stove, read a book and keep a sharp ear out for the trickster.