Today was yet another beautiful day in Alaska. The locals keep telling us that this is highly unusual. That it should be raining and be dreary. - Oh well!!

We started the day bright and early at 6:30 with breakfast being delivered. We ate out on the balcony soaking in the never ending beauty of the sea and mountain ranges. Today we are in Icy Strait Point aka…Hoonah. Our excursions are bear and wildlife search and then whale watching.

We took a bus to an area that is a state park in a rickety old school bus. Our guide's name was Jacob and thought he was the new Johnny Cash or similar. He was not funny yet I couldn't help laugh at his "Aww Shucks, Just kiddin" after almost everything he said…lol

The area we went to was full of bears - Brown Alaskans. There is something like 5 bears to every 1 human on this island which spans 50 miles wide and 75 miles long. We saw salmon by the hundreds trying to get upstream to spawn, and then when we reached our destination and were introduced to bear repellent. I didn't catch his name but he carried a big gun!!!

We were told not to run to just stand and look serious if one approached…It was going to be thrilling.

Then came a family with kids…who sufficiently were loud enough to be assured that no one saw a bear, or any other wild creature in the area despite one being spotted by the bear repellent just a minute ahead of our arrival.

Uggggh!

Anyway….later this day J We went whale watching, guaranteed to see whales!! I like the sound of this already!!!

We boarded another boat and off we went. Travelled about 30 minutes and then we were surrounded by them. Quite a way from us but there they were in all their glory! What a Phenomenal sight. We took pictures, video and stood there watching in awe.

They were graceful and the beauty as they rose out of the water blowing the air out and then diving back in with their tail showing was spectacular. They travelled some alone and some in pods of 3-5.

What I couldn't believe was the number of small motor/ row boats in the area….not a chance would you have seen me out there in such a small craft near these ginormous creatures - yikes!!!

Lots of cool pics and memories!!

Tomorrow….the lumberjack show and then snorkelling!!!