9/14/02: Leaving Alaska

I have just had the best four weeks ever. It's been the perfect amount of time on the Wind. People who live in places with four distinct seasons who spent the whole summer in Alaska regret that they missed the sunshine. I have loved every minute of it. But then, I live in America's Finest City, and when I go home in two weeks, it will be sunny. And when I go to the Caribbean 6 weeks after that, I'll be in sunshine up to my eyeballs.

We sail back to Vancouver later today, then from there, on Monday, we sail for Hawaii. It will take six days at sea, which will be lots of kid time. We're going to have to get very creative to keep the munchkins entertained for so long on the ship. I hope we get a good group.

My time here has been a constant post card. I'm so happy I was sent here. I've seen harbor seals on ice floes near the beautiful Sawyer Glacier. I saw Stellar sea lions and humpback whales on a whale watching trip. I saw killer whales and dolphins out the window on the ship. I helicoptered to a glacier. I went to a salmon bake. I hiked and saw a black bear. I went bear watching on a bus and saw brown bears fishing for salmon. I went dogsledding and held a 12-day old puppy. I took a tram 1,800 feet above Juneau. I bought lots of souvenirs. I ate Alaska King crab and reindeer jerky. I road tripped to the Yukon. I biked 18 miles up and down big hills. I saw bald eagles everywhere. I went to a salmon fishery. I saw salmon spawning and swimming upstream everywhere.

I wanted to come to Alaska to see wildlife. Boy have I. And I've had the best time. If you haven't been and get the chance, come up here for sure. The natural beauty of Alaska is unparalleled.

To those of you on ships, I hope to see you on the seas soon. To those of you in San Diego, I'll be home from September 27th through November 9th.

The world is a beautiful place, full of wonderful people. I've been very fortunate to see and meet so many. Live, laugh, love.
Love always, Genoa in Ketchikan