Enchanted

At the end of September we returned to Glacier Bay.

We were out on a catamaran, watching the whales. She couldn't have been a day over 23, with her degree in marine biology, explaining this corner of Alaska, explaining sperm whales and humpbacks, flukes and dorsals, mating and breaching, and baleen, and babies. She pointed out bubbles, and harbor seals, and the house of the cutest boy in Sitka.

We drank hot chocolate in the wind, feeling sea spray and amazement. Watching these whales do what they do. And listening to her adore them.

She excitedly answered questions. Probably the same questions asked yesterday. And last week. But she seemed so happy to do it. As if she was doing what she was meant to do. Sharing her information, her education. Her theories. Her observations. Her passion. Her humpbacks.

We were lucky enough to sit alone with her on the back of the boat as we headed back in to shore. The sun shining so brightly on the clear blue water. We were exhausted and alive at the same time.

"They're leaving," she said. "Some have already gone." In the Autumn. As it becomes colder. They go to Hawaii now. For the winter. She told us. We were her final tour of the Alaskan whale watching season.


What do you do for the winter now that the tours are over?

She looked at me as if she couldn't even fathom my asking. She squinted. And smiled. "What do I do? What do you mean?" She shrugged, and laughed a little as if there was only one answer. Because for her, there was. Only one answer.

"I follow my whales. I leave for Maui in the morning."

We were honored to spend the day with whales. And with this soul enchanted.

How fortunate
are those who are in love with their lives.
Enchanted:
Having heard the call of their whales,
And followed.