Whale Watching and Float Plane Trip

[JHUNTGOLF]

We just got back from our Alaskan cruise/land tour. Two of the absolute best highlights for us were the whale watching tour with Harv and Marv out of Juneau and the Misty Fjords float plane trip with Michelle of Island Wings in Ketchikan.

 

On the whale watching tour, we had Cap't. Sean and the new this year 12 passenger boat. You couldn't ask for a better whale watching boat. The women in our group were quite impressed; this boat greatly exceeded their expectations. Our whale watching experience culminated with our seeing at least 16 humpback whales in the same location. Whales were popping up all around us. We got some great pictures and video. And Cap't. Sean even stopped at the Mendenhall glacier for 20 minutes on the way back to our ship so we could get some pretty spectaculor pictures of the glacier.

 

None of us (two couples) had ever been on a small plane so for the four or us to get on a small plane that just happened to take off and land in the water was a really big deal. Michelle piloted her plane flawlessly. The views were breathtaking and then for her to land the plane in a small pristine lake where we could get out and just "take in the moment" was an extra added bonus.

 

To me, there are two things that you must do in Alaska--see whales with Harv & Marv and go on a float plane trip with Michelle of Island Wings!!!! You won't be disappointed.

 

John

[Assateague Island Princes]

Amen - couldn't agree more! Been twice with H&M, and you can bet we'll go with them again next time! (Hey Jay and Eileen!;)) Also flew with Michelle in 2006 - amazing experience, almost mystical, something we both still talk about to this day.

 

A third "must do" for me in AK is a visit to Martin Buser's Happy Trails Kennels near Big Lake, just north of Anchorage. It was my highlight excursion this year on our trip in early June. DH was a big fan of the drive up into the Yukon while in Skagway. And we both loved renting electric bikes to cruise the Spit in Homer. All in all, HAL's new 14 day itinerary this year was our best trip ever to Alaska. We'll be back! 2012, here we come!:D