Day 9: Fox Island

It was an early start and guess what?  Rain! Rain! Rain!  Our hotel was very centrally located so just had to walk across the parking lot to check in for our excursion today.  We are taking an all day tour that includes sea kayaking and a scenic wildlife boat trip.  It was just miserable weather but hopefully it clears a bit so we can have an enjoyable day.  We started with a short (40 minutes) boat ride to Fox Island.  We saw a Dahl porpoise as we approached the island.  It was pretty cool and looks like a small Shamu . . .

Only 9 people get off the boat to go kayaking.  We meet our guides Jack and Jenn who got us geared up for kayaking . . .

Have I mentioned it is cold and raining?   I have a feeling I will be MISERABLE on this trip!  I asked if Colin could be in a kayak with our guide Jack; I knew he would have a blast!  And we are about to hit the water . . .

I told you it was dreary out today!  I think Colin thought he had his own personal guide!

I will admit it was cool being on the water, but the weather was just awful. I tried to make the
best of the situation but . . .

. . . it isn't getting any better!  I am not feeling the love for this weather.

The water was pretty clear and we could see tons of jelly fish as we paddled along.  We also saw puffin, harbor seals, bald eagles, and tons of common murre birds.  We made the turn around and wanted to just get back to shore. I think Colin was settling in with Jack . . .

. . . too bad I can't see Jack's facial expression.  I wonder if his ears hurt yet?  The elements were just wearing me down!  Here is our boat arriving at Fox Island to pick us up!

Luckily I took a change of clothes!  We were soaked from head to toe; seriously we were both drenched.  I was so happy when we arrived back to Fox Island to have lunch.  Unfortunately it was also over run with the sightseeing boats that we would soon board too.  The people were so territorial and hardly a place for our kayaking group to sit.  I was really annoyed when I saw a couple taking up a chair with their dog . . . not a working dog but a pet dog that was sitting in the chair eating the food that we were so desperately starving to have!  I sure made sure to write all about it on my comment card.  Just thinking about it now really annoys me still!  The food was good but they were about out of everything by the time we got into line, and the non kayaking groups were heading back for second and third portions.  We got back on board the boat for the wildlife cruise around Resurrection Bay.  I wasn't feeling the excitement but did enjoy seeing the wildlife.  However, when the captain announced the first whale sighting and the entire boat ran to that side; I was more than a little alarmed.  I just sat there planning my escape route while Colin ran with the crowd.  He was so excited to see the humpback whale . . .

I will admit the captain knew exactly where to find the wildlife!  We saw humpback whales, sea lions, puffins, common murre, eagles, and a mountain goat.  Finally we arrived back to the small boat harbor and ran back to hotel.  I could not wait to shower and get all the yuck off of me.  We took some time to just sit back and relax which was nice.  We walked across the street for dinner at Eureka Pizza Company.  Now Colin loves his pizza which is one reason we are here but they also have gyros!  Oh I must say they were awesome . . . I mean beyond yummy as was the red cabbage salad too.  Too bad we aren't here another night because would so go back!  We headed back to the hotel and was trying to think of an excuse to not go swimming . . . I guess Colin had enough of the water today because not a single mention!  Even though the weather was crappy, it was still a great day!