Apparently, Miss E has been stalking my blog looking for new updated pictures of Yoshi. I haven’t done much in the way of photography lately, but today was sunny and calling me outside -so out we went. These were the results:
Apparently, Miss E has been stalking my blog looking for new updated pictures of Yoshi. I haven’t done much in the way of photography lately, but today was sunny and calling me outside -so out we went. These were the results:
We got out underwater camera film back the other day. I laughed…because these pictures. They are anything but the amazing underwater pictures I was expecting.
You know the type -the ones that look amazing and completely capture the awesomeness that is under the waves. I’ve seen them all -I know what I was looking for -and then what I got? Well, they just made me laugh. But also because they sort of make me happy. The time spent snorkeling (while challenging!!!) was awesome.
I am probably dating myself but if you remember using disposable cameras (and waiting for the film to get developed) you will have a general idea on what we were up to. But you also have to remember that we had big rubber gloves on, so navigating the camera wasn’t exactly what one would call…easy. There were a lot of shots of the glove!
I kinda want to go back, you know?
This guy was a really cool shade of purple when you looked at him under the water -almost like a neon, glow in the dark color. Of course the picture just shows a little purple blob. It was a sea urchin, for those wondering.
Patrick Star!
An attempt at a thumbs up
Under the sea! See?
While the hardly counts as “Under the sea photography” -I think I am going to work on brushing up on my “on land” photography before I attempt anything….well, professional. So this will have to do for now.
I couldn’t tell you why exactly, but the idea of snorkeling has interested me for a long time. When we went to Australia last year we originally planned to go snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. After all, that is kind of something you have to do –right? Unfortunately our plans to go to the reef didn’t work out and we didn’t end up going. Still, the idea was there.
Making a very long story short –we got an offer to go snorkeling with a local tour here in Alaska that we couldn’t pass up. When Amanda and David started planning their trip here I knew it was something that would have to go on the list to accomplish this summer. This past Saturday, we checked that idea off the list.
Snorkeling here in Alaska is probably different than snorkeling in other places –one of the main differences is that you have to wear a wetsuit. Having never worn a wetsuit before we really had no idea what to expect.
Getting in the suit was a challenge in and of itself –pulling on a full rubber suit is challenging in the best of circumstances –but I started to panic while pulling mine on –and started sweating…it was a task that was more challenging that I expected! Then we had to make our way to the van and go for a drive –sitting in a wetsuit? Not the easiest challenge!
Once in the water things started to loosen up –but then the next challenge came: snorkeling.
They offered weight belts for those who were more adventurous and Amanda’s hand immediately went up. Thankfully we talked her off that ledge and decided to try it without the first time. It was probably a good idea.
Let me start by saying that the whole experience? Was awesome.
But getting started was a bit rough. My mask leaked, and I kept swallowing water. Combine this with the fact that I am 2 inches shorter than everyone else means I can’t always reach the bottom where others can and the flippers that kept flipping me onto my stomach and it was a rough start. But once the mask was sorted and I realized you shouldn’t open your mouth under water and waves going over your snorkel pipe are not good –it was all good.
It was quiet. And amazing. Seeing everything come to life under the water. To be completely honest –I didn’t think I was going to be that blown away by what we saw, after all –I have seen all the starfish and sea like animals from my 25+ years of living here in Alaska…but seeing the water from under the water? As odd as it sounds was completely different…and amazing.
When we first took off I was thinking “I never want to do this again” and by the time we got out I was thinking “I can’t wait to do this again!” It was a lot of fun, wetsuits and all…and now? I kind of want to go back to Australia and go snorkeling in the reef. Who wants to come!
We turned in our underwater disposable camera and have to wait a week for the pictures to come back…until then, here is proof we were, well, in wetsuits!
Amanda told me to stop making this face, but I feel it sums up the whole wetsuit ordeal fairly well!
A much better selfie
All ready to go!
A few years ago I signed mom and I up for a “ladies night” kayaking paddle. We had a blast and has left me wanting to go again and again. Things have never lined up for us tho, and we haven’t been back until last night.
When we started putting together a list of thing to do this summer while Amanda and her family were in town we knew that kayaking had to be done. David didn’t seem convinced about going -so we went forward with booking the ladies night paddle again.
It was as much fun as I remember…we spent two hours out there -and it only seemed like 15 minutes max.
Our new attire.
This Alaska. This is something I will never grow tired of.
It was fun to get out and get a fresh perspective. Ketchikan always seems more manageable from the ocean.
We went under the bridge and had a quick paddle around Creek Street.
Made it back safely. No one flipped over -bonus!
Here is to another fun time kayaking -and many more to come!
When we first started planning the epic adventure, 2016 edition, we compiled a list of all the things we hoped to accomplish during the short few months Amanda and her crew would be here. Among the work related tasks, we sprinkled in some fun things we really wanted to do -one of those things was ziplining.
We were able to score a real deal for the tour and had an absolute blast.
A few years ago we were on the same tour, and Amanda somehow managed to spin herself around and almost slammed into the tree. She was a bit worried about doing it again, but we are happy to report there were no spin outs and no tree slamming either.
It was an amazing time -and one that we hope to do again sometime soon!
Tangled Thoughts 