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...

August

I know that I am a little behind on my blog posts! It has been very very busy for the past few months around here! But I do want to share my stories and some pictures! 

The month of August was filled with beautiful sunshine days! Which meant lots of great days on the boat and lots of wonderful adventures on days off!! It started off with a beautiful 80 degree day that Tristan and I took advantage of a surprise day off and did one of our favorite hikes! We took the trail to Perseverance lake. This is one of the relatively flatter trails here in Ketchikan, hence why its one of my favorites! But it leads to a beautiful lake. We took advantage and spent the day sunbathing, and even soaking my feet in the lake.

Princess Siren posing for the picture

One morning at work we had to be in Metlakatla at 5AM to pick up a charter group. This unfortunately meant being at work at 3:30. But we were gifted with one of the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen! The sky was painted with so many shades of pink and orange it caused tears to come to my eyes.

A Panoramic shot of the sky in the Met harbor.

Sunrise over the cannery. 

In August Molly moved over to deckhand on another boat so we gained Jazmin as our new deckhand. Jazmin is a wonderful free-spirited woman from Arizona! We all taught her the secrets of Alaska, and she taught us the art of fire dancing! It was wonderful getting to spend the last 2 months of the season getting to know her! We even got to do a little zip-lining!  

Jazmin being all Alaskan on a beautiful beach scouting day at work

Ziplining fun! 

Our last August adventure was another overnight camping trip for Tristan and I. We decided to camp on Brown mountain. It was a beautiful afternoon and night! I got to dance in the wildflowers and feast on mountain blueberries! We were also visited by some mountain goats! At some point in the night Siren decided she no longer wanted to be in the tent and decided to put a Siren size hole in the side. She then spent the night roaming the mountain and collecting sticks. 

View at Sunset over camp

The mountain goats on the side of the cliff

The next morning over coffee was one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced. As we sat with our coffee watching the mist roll in around the mountain, we heard wolves in the distance! It was an amazing sound! 

Down the trail into the mist we go...I promise there is a mountain down there! 

August was filled with Adventures, sunshine, whales, friends, and love! It is hard to put into words the beauty of what I get to experience everyday...so I'll just leave you with a few more pictures of the month! 

View of sunset from the Arctic for Molly's Birthday! 

Bailey's falls in the Misty's

Selfie with the captain day

Full moon rise 

And of course I can't end my post without this month's quote. These are beautiful words that I fell in love with a while ago: 
At the end of the day your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling!

July

So just like June...July has been full of wonderful things. A lot of work and a lot of days filled with sunshine! We have seen many more whales, lots more tidepooling, and more mountains were climbed! And about halfway through July Tristan officially became a captain with Allen Marine...see I told you it was a busy month. 

Hammock time on our beach day

One of my favorite days this month was a visit to the Muskeg near Harriet Hunt lake. Tristan and I headed off in search of dragonflies and aquatic insects. We found some water beetles, dragon fly larvae, butterflies, spiders, dragonflies, and beautiful wildflowers! 

 

 

Tristan looking for little water beetles

Fireweed

Sundews

 I also had the opportunity to take our Port Engineer, Peter, and his family tidepooling! We found gunnels, sea stars, and sea cucumbers! We had a great time climbing over all of the rocks and finding all the new creatures! Plus I got to share my love with kids who were super excited which is always a bonus! Peter is also a great photographer, so he got some great shots that I'm getting prints made for our house! So of course all tidepool pictures by Peter...checkout his website or you can follow him on Facebook! 

Bloodstars on the Sea Lettuce

Tristan showing sea creatures off to Elaine

Gabe with his gumboot chiton

Katie with a sea cucumber

Acorn Barnacle

Purple Urchin

Kelp Crab that attached itself to me

Tristan, Siren, and I also climbed Brown Mountain with his friend Mike. This is my favorite mountain to climb because the views are amazing and the wildflower fields are so beautiful! 

View from the top

Wildflower fields

Indian Paintbrush

Monkshood

There have been more trips to the Misty's, more whales, and more beautiful sunshine as well! 

The Cirque

Punchbowl Cliffs

This month has been full of work, sunshine, and squeezing in adventures wherever possible! We have had get togethers with friends and Tristan's family (his sister was in town with her two adorable kids), bonfires on the beach, great sunsets, and good trips. Tristan is also now my captain so we get to spend most days together at work! Plus he earned his mickey ears! 

July flew by, and I feel like August is as well! I hope that everyone has had a great summer. I know that it isn't over for most of you, but the fireweed has lost its petals and is starting to turn orange marking the end of summer for us here in Ketchikan! 

This month's quote is:

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open!