After a busy morning of hiking, kayaking, and zipping along in our trusty rubber boats, we find ourselves headed for Sitka, the site of our disembarkation. And so our journey comes to an end. It’s no small task to find the right words to bring it to a close. Southeast Alaska captures our imaginations easily, but capturing Southeast Alaska in words is difficult. But we hearty explorers will not be daunted! In poems, haikus, and rhymes, our shipmates (young and not-so-young) offered the following fun efforts:   

Alaska by Noonie Baisley

Humpback whales swimming
Throughout the wonderful sea
Eagles soar above

Whale by Edee Moorman

Wonderful
Helpful
Arctic
Lard
Exciting 

Humpback Whale by Ben Jones

You might think it’s a fish
But in fact it’s a mammal
Huffing and puffing water
80 miles an hour
Breaching, diving, and jumping
Into the water 

Alaska by Kate Oliver

A glacier,
Lion of the sea,
A Blue whale
Sperm whale
Killer whale and
A boat called Seabird 

By Jonathan Howard

Hiking Alaska
Is very fun and interesting
When I am outside

Wolves by Corbin Fanning

Wonderful
Outstanding
Loyal
Very awesome
Exciting
Super

By Dan Howard

There once was a grizzly bear finder
Who forgot to watch behind her
A grizzly snared their butt
And ate them all up
I wish that bear had been kinder

By Susan Stevens

We got on a National Geographic boat
We donned our big boots and very warm coat
The adventure began on the very first day
We were excited for the ship to be on its way
We kayaked, toured, and even rode bikes
We also did a lot of nature hikes
Humpback and killer whales
Will be a part of our memories, stories, and tales
Eagles, puffins, sea-stars, and birds
Were so awesome, there are no words
Glacier, icebergs, mountains forest, and beach
The amazing staff had so much knowledge to teach
Brown bear, black bear, salmon & porcupine
All added fascination to this trip that was so fine
Sea lions, harbor seals, and otters,
So many cool mammals live in these waters
The joy and awe that nature brings
Fills our hearts with passion like a bird that sings
What a great experience with good food and new friends
Our Seabird adventure in our mind never ends. 

When we return to our busy lives at home, friends will ask about our trip, but there will be far too many stories to tell in a brief encounter. So remember the words of Samuel Johnson, ''If a man (or a woman) has experienced the inexpressible, he is under no obligation to attempt to express it.” The spirit of Alaska will stay with you in ways that words cannot always describe. Your memory card may be full, but may your memories overflow for a lifetime.