Capturing the Moment

  Baranof Island is the 10th largest island in the world, slightly larger than the state of Delaware. It was named in 1805 by the Russian Imperial Navy to honor Alexander Baranof. Sitka is located on the west side of the island, while the rest is covered in temperate rainforest and controlled mostly by the Tongass National Forest. The southern part of Baranof is my favorite, as it is designated a Wilderness area by the National Forest which gives it the highest protection in the 17 million acre forest. This week on the Safari Quest we explored a small part of this wilderness area by boat, kayak, skiff, and paddle board.   The entrance to Red Bluff Bay faces east towards the whale-rich Frederick Sound. Red Bluff is named after the hillsides near the entrance and their distinctive reddish coloration due to the high levels of chromite. The opening to the fjord doesn't look big enough for a ship our size, but for those in the know an amazing wonderland exists inside. ...

    Fortune favors the bold…the early bird gets the worm…    Here at Uncruise it should read, ‘never let a little rain hold you back.’         It was a beautiful drizzly grey afternoon as we pulled into Steamboat Harbor in Southeast Alaska. We had just seen dozens of humpback whales out the window during lunch. The conditions in the bay were perfect for open paddle, but with whales just outside the bay and within striking distance of a skiff, I also offered up an impromptu skiff tour for the guests.      Folks looked outside as the rain drops gathered on the railings of the Quests. They peered around inside at the beautiful lounge, bartender mixing drinks, and the library upstairs looking particular cozy for curling up and reading a book. I got the skiff ready and waited for the incoming guests to gather up… and waited… and waited…      One brave guests showed up. And it w...

      From our spot in Jeffersonville, Vermont I can see the highest peak, Mount Mansfield. It is not just the tallest summit in Vermont at 4,393ft, but it the same mountain where the famous Stowe ski area can be found. I have always looked at the mountain, which resembles the profile of a giant face looking up towards the heavens, and wondered how I could get up to the summit. During this visit to Vermont I was determined to make it happen, so after a bit of research I did just that. Crossing beautiful streams on the way up    My calves are still burning as I am writing this, several days later, but the pain is all worth it knowing that everytime I look up towards the mountain I will remember standing on top of it and soaking in that 360 degree view. Here is how I made it.... Breathing hard on the way up    A short 25 minute drive away from Jeffersonville is a place called Underhill State Park. It is located at the base of Mt Mansf...

Our jet boat Unusual walking spot  After spending a day jet boating up the Stikine River, over a terminal moraine and into a glacier lake I realized that I am a pretty cautious captain...compared to these guys! If you ever come to Wrangell, Alaska this adventure should definitely be on your list. Grounded 'berg Pushing icebergs   You board your jet boat at the dock in Wrangell. Everyone has seat and even seat belts, which is a bit unusual for a boat. Instead of propellers that spin under the boat making it go fast, this style of boat has water intake that it shoots out in a stream kind of like a jet ski. Manuevering is with a giant joystick and the draft, or depth of the deepest part of the boat, is only 12 inches. This is perfect for heading up the silty and shallow Stikine River. Grounded 70ft deep Wine, salmon, and cheese   Shortly after leaving the island of Wrangell and heading towards the mainland I watched as the depth sounder started gi...

4am Sunrise coming into Haines Silver Muse at the Haines dock   Haines is a wonderful small town at the top of Southeast Alaska's famous Inside Passage. Yet in my extensive travelings within the Inside Passage over the past five years I had never been there. So I was quite excited to have Haines as a port stop for my new itinerary on the Silver Muse. It has a population of just under 2,000 people, and is famous for having over 3,000 eagles at certain points of the year. Dramatic mountains form the backdrop of the town with glaciers tumbling down out of them. Alaska Trainquility Lupine in bloom   This week I started off the voyage with a lecture on photography. So I made sure to sign myself up to escort the "Haines: Thru a lens" tour to further the experience for our guests. I also thought that it would be a great way to see some of the best locations in Haines and get the scoop from a knowledgeable local. A fine day at work     I was in luck. ...