Beautiful Kayak around the Vixen Islands, Alaska
Stellar conditions for this morning's kayak at Emmons Island, near Sitka, Alaska. "Is this Hawaii", I thought to myself as I paddled in the beautiful sunshine and crystal clear waters around Emmons Island. I had to remind myself that I was actually in Alaska's Inside Passage, in a very special place. Instead of Hawaii's coral and sea turtles under our kayaks, it was sea stars, anemones, and sea cucumbers. The misty mountains in the background were another reminder that I wasn't in Hawaii anymore. Harbor seals watched us from a safe distance as we paddled. The weather was perfect for a paddle this morning. There was no wind in sight, and the water was flat calm and crystal clear. The misty mountains and our expedition ship reflected in the smooth water like a mirror. My plan was to circumnavigate the Vixen Islands. As we started out I noticed a few harbor seals cautiously watching our progress. The ocean was like a mirror, without a drop of wind. I couldn...