I am a cruise lover, but (truthfully) Alaska had never been top of the travel bucket list, because I am a more of a beach girl. Just sayin. I have been to the Caribbean more times than I can count, and I consider it my life’s mission to find the perfect beach. Mountainous trips have always been secondary until COVID!

Due to COVID complications, Alaska was the most logical choice for a 2021 cruise. And even though it wasn't a "hell yes" for me initially, I quickly fell under the spell of this stunning destination. Easy to see why it is a bucket list for so many people. I was enchanted by the colossal scale and rugged charm of the Alaskan frontier: glaciers, bald eagles, humpback whales, dolphins, mysterious fog, fresh crab and salmon, kind-hearted people. The power of Alaska is real, and I walked away with a priceless takeaway:

My insight came at breakfast one morning. As we were glowing about our experiences with Humpback Whales and Bald Eagles, another couple complained to us about how “disappointed” they were about not seeing any wildlife. I was stunned at first and had to pick my jaw (and my croissant) up off the floor...especially since there were two Bald Eagles outside the window where we were all having breakfast!!

Cruising is my jam, so here are some of my best tips for safe and efficient travel.

Just to give you context, seeing a bald Eagle in Juneau, Alaska (in my experience) is about as difficult as spotting a DQ in Texas. They are eeeeeverywhere. And the Humpback Whale watching cruise? Just as plentiful. While on deck, we spotted pods of dolphins, sea otters, and other adorable aquatic critters. As I listened to her complain, it hit me….she wasn’t paying attention. She didn’t have the eyes to see any of it. That includes the eagles (within her line of sight) that we had been focused on all morning.

At any given time, there could be a disco party of dolphins, but you’ll miss them if you are fixated on your phone, lost in your thoughts, or blabbering on with small talk. Life-changing experiences aren’t always obvious; the eagles didn’t land on our shoulders, and the whales didn’t fetch us coffee. Many sightings were at a distance, but the overall volume of encounters left me with a greater connection to nature. The secret sauce, the most important choice, is simply making space for the extraordinary and keeping your eyes open for it. 

There is an intoxicating peace that dwells in Alaska; it feels like a healing spa day for your soul. There is an elemental stillness that emanates from the ancient mountains, the cascading waterfalls, and the wise, old trees. I will never forget the lesson learned: my satisfaction with a situation is directly related to how connected I am with it.

Originally published on Sociability Arlington

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