Capturing the Moment

Alone at the Skookumchuk Rapids Mist hugging the forest   It turns out Fall is a pretty amazing time to cruise through islands and fjords of British Columbia. Early morning clouds hang low enough to touch the mist rising from the water. It has a way of hiding thousand foot cliffs only to reveal them a few seconds later. The fog also hugs the forest, often moving in and around the huge old growth trees like some ethereal river. Paddle Boarding the Fjord    It is a rare opportunity for photography, as mist can often be a landscape photographers best friend. It add a mysterious effect, and always reminds me of ancient Chinese paintings where layers of mist would separate the foreground, middle, and background adding depth to a two dimensional scene. Ready to Deploy   The fog became so thick at one point during a kayak excursion this week that all sound was snuffed out except a ship's foghorn that would cut through the mist from far away every few...

We just completed our first week of the season sailing the Safari Quest through British Columbia and the San Juan islands. We will run this itinerary during the shoulder seasons before and after our Alaska summer.  I had not spent much time in British Columbia so I was anxious to get out and see it from the water. I had sped through the channels before on our way to Alaska in previous seasons but was never allowed to stop. The Quest is a SOLAS boat which allows us to take her internationally into Canada waters. This does mean a few stops during the week are planned for customs and such but they work pretty seamlessly into a very fun itinerary.   The first stop in Canadian waters is Victoria, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Its a beautiful first view of British Columbia and everyone enjoys a bit of High Tea at the Empress Hotel. But then in typical UnCruise fashion we head off into the wilderness. We run the rapids at Skookumchuk and continue on to the crown ...

Cute BnB's are the way to stay in Tadoussac    Tadoussac is a small town about three hours drive north from Quebec City deep in the heart of French Canada. Nestled in the hills where the St Lawrence waterway meets the only fjord on the east coast of North America, the Saguenay. Because of this ideal location Tadoussac was the first trading outpost set up by French explorers in New France. Nowadays tourists flock to the rugged village for its quaint beauty, easy hiking trails, and its facilities for whale watching. The main draw for me of course is the whales. Even though I get to see whales all the time in Alaska and Hawaii through my work I love experiences different whales in different parts of the world. Here in Tadoussac you can see not just humpbacks, but also blue, fin, minke, and beluga whales. Most are here in the height of summer for feeding on the upwelling just offshore, although the belugas live here year round. You can see the whales from shore but the ...