Alaska Photos 7

Alaska Photos Page 7
Whale Watching Cruise, Part 2

It was really cold standing out on the deck of the ship amidst the zephyrous gusts of the Alaska winds, but my wife and I were well prepared - donning heavy thermal underwear and scrarfs and Thinsulate gloves with layer after layer of winter clothing (we probably looked like a couple of puffed-up 'Michelin Men') so we were able to tough it out. Of course, we had the option of retreating into the warm shelter of the ship's cabin, but who wants to do that? Instead, we remained on deck the entire journey - save for lunchtime.

I shot all of the stills using a Canon EOS Rebel, shooting the majority from the security of the aft deck where things were quite a bit smoother. (I was using a zoom lens and I needed a smooth ride.) Jodie shot the video takes using a Flip camera - most of it from the bow. After a while, I switched lenses and moved up front. In the end, the two of us wandered all along the deck over the course of the cruise.

On the return trip the captain put the boat into 'high gear' and the wind-chill factor kicked into high gear as well. Jodie and I remained on the bow for a while during that frosty homeward jaunt, but like everyone else we finally had to abandon that shivery plan, making our way toward the stern in order to avoid the icy winds. Several people went inside the cabin at that point - but we didn't, choosing instead to brave the cold for the remainder of the trip. It was well worth it. The scenery was just too spectacular and we sure didn't want to view it through the rigid confines of a silly old window.

View of a glacier from the ship.

Another view from the ship.

The Spires.

View from the boat.

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