I’ve gotten used to life on the ferry. It’s delightful. I’ve fallen into a simple rhythm: eat when I want, nap, read, look for whales and birds with the binoculars and repeat. We stop in small ports,I walk and gorge myself on salmon berries. I sleep when I’m tired and if I need some other diversion they play educational movies and documentaries about all things Aleutian!

And the scenery…. when the sun comes out the scenery becomes spectacular! Today we got the sun and views that people come on this journey for. The snowy volcanic peak of Pavlov and her sister came out!0717161548

This landscape DAZZLES when it’s sunny. The water is so blue – the hillsides so green – the clouds and sky conspire to add texture over the variety of islands. It makes you  giddy and take a ridiculous amount of photos that won’t do justice to this natural display. It’s nature T.V. Literally hours can pass as you gaze around.

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I chat with the other travelers on the boat: The man from Amsterdam who’s here to kayak out the Aleutian chain, the retired couples from Whidbey Island; one likes to fish and the other worked up here in the shipping industry for years. I’ve enjoyed the family with mom from South Africa, dad from spain and a young son who is well read.  Then there is the young woman who works for public radio on Unalaska…. and the woman from Ketchikan traveling with her mom. There are the local families using the ferry to get from one port to the other often visiting family. The ferry provides vacation as well as a practical means of travel.  It’s an easy life these last 5 days and I’m going to miss it.

I love the way the boat rocks at night. The “motion of the ocean” has become my sleep aid. I feel soothed as it lulls me to sleep. I’m sleeping deeply, I don’t even remember my dreams.

I’m feeling a little grief as I pack up my stuff. Even the loudness of the engine that I wear earplugs to abate is feeling like an old familiar friend that I’m sad to say goodbye to. Amazing how quickly I have adapted to this lifestyle. I’ve been circling the boat decks – taking in the views and the peacefulness of it all. I don’t know what the fish tender will bring and while I am sure it will be wonderful, it is still the unknown. There is always a mix of emotions in transition…… from one wonderful thing to the next still brings a little mourning along with the excitement. My Ferry adventure to the Aleutian Islands has been wonderful……..and now I say goodbye.

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Tomorrow, 6 am, I meet the tender in Chignik. Life is about to change…..