The end of the Season...

So I'd like to recap the end of the season...it was a good one! September included whales, amazing sunsets, finally seeing the Northern Lights, and another trip to Sitka! 

Just like on cue the whales returned on September 1! Just outside of Met everyday for about a week and a half we were surrounded by at least 20 humpbacks and more blows as far as you could see! We spent many days while our guest were on the island just hanging out near them listening to their breaths for air over and over again! There is something truly magical about it! 

Here is a post from my facebook describing what we were seeing on September 6th:

Today I stood on the top deck of my boat with 9 guests as we watched about 20 humpbacks all around us...tears streamed down my face as we watched what seemed like a choreographed ballet of spouts and flukes....sometimes I cannot believe I have been blessed with this incredible magical life

Along with all of the amazing humpbacks we were visited by another beautiful whale! For 2 days at the beginning of September a Fin whale graced us with its presence!  They are larger than humpbacks and don't have as large of a back arch when they dive so you rarely see the fluke! But it was a beautiful whale and a wonderful surprise! 

One September afternoon Tristan and I went on a skiff ride with his friend John in search of Tristan's dad's cabin. We were visited by a river otter, some seals, many eagles, and a whale in the distance! There were late blooming berries to snack on, and the cutest little cabin in the woods. It is just one room with a wood stove and a loft for sleeping! I look forward to returning for some adventures! 

The best part of this day was the most amazing sunset I have ever seen! There aren't even words to describe it...so I'll just leave these pictures here for you! 

One night in late September we were hanging out with a group of friends who were leaving in the next few days, when we heard the Northern Lights might be good that night. Now you see, I have heard that a lot since living in Ketchikan and have yet to have any luck with seeing them, so I was skeptical. But when Tristan and I got home we could see them from our house, so we headed out towards darker areas near Ward Lake and up Brown Mountain! It was the most beautiful, magical thing I have ever seen! The lights danced through the sky in shades of green and white! I have no pictures, but that is one that will replay in my head for a long time! 

Sitka...

It worked out this year that I was able to go to Sitka because it was a Saturday/Sunday trip! And I am so glad I did! The weather was beautiful! There were close to 100 humpbacks! In one area there were so many whales in every direction that we had to slow down because they were coming up all around us! There was breaching, fluke slaps, peduncle throws, and pectoral flippers were waving! There were cute sea lions and sea otters! I took my sleeping bag and sat on the upper deck of my boat for almost the whole time...it was awesome!! 

Once we got to Sitka we had dinner and then found a karaoke place. Molly and I sang and danced and sang and danced some more! Then, keeping with tradition we skipped all the way back to the hotel! 

Molly and Nick

Sea Lions on the bouys in Petersburg

Did someone call for a pizza delivery?

Pizza delivery boat to boat style

View of the Glacier leaving Petersburg

Selfie with the captain while he tries to block the sun out of his face! 

Another beautiful sunset

And just like that the season was over!

   

Deer Mountain on a beautiful day from the boat 

My job has revolved around the seasonal life for the last 5 summers, so the end of the season is something I am pretty used to! It comes very quickly and it likes to sneak up on you. You realize there are things you still want to do, people you want to be around, and places you still want to see. So you try and spend every minute with the people who are leaving and going out all over the world. This year I have friends going to New Zealand, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Hawaii. These are people that I have spent the better part of every day with for 2 seasons on the boat. So of course it is more of  a see you later, these people are too much like family to say goodbye! 

The difference in the end of this season is I am no longer a seasonal. I may still work in the seasonal world...but Ketchikan is now my home! I have always been the one saying goodbye, this year I am the one staying! It was strange being on the other side of the coin this year but in a good way! Last year this time I was dreading leaving this beautiful town...this year I don't have to! The realization that I am now an Alaskan local is a pretty wonderful thing! 

Here are a few more pictures of another wonderful September! 

Punchbowl cliffs in the Misty's

Ketchikan at Midnight from the water

Rainbows in the Misty's

A beautiful full moon rise over Refuge beach

Quote of the Post:

It was sunsets that taught me that beauty sometimes only lasts for a couple of moments, and it was sunrises that showed me all it takes is patience to experience it all over again...