Thanks Alaska The Alaskan Experience Changed My Perspective and Then Changed Me!

  “Despite everything, every piece of Alaska sang to me” – Summer Lane, Running with Wolves  

Boarding the ship I could feel butterflies tickling my ribs as my anticipation grew. I greeted Grandma and Leigh, a niece, and then instinctively looked for Grandpa. Even though he has been gone now for over three years, I still look for him. Feeling that void I whispered, “I miss Grandpa.” We stood there with tears brimming our eyes and I thought to myself, “Dad, your hard work has made this trip possible. We miss you!”

Two years ago, my brother Greg sent out the first of many emails organizing a family reunion for Grandma (Daryl Hoole). She invited her eight children; her 36 grandchildren and all the spouses to join her on a seven-day Alaskan cruise to celebrate what would have been her and Grandpa’s (Hank Hoole) 60th wedding anniversary. The two of them had enjoyed this trip 13 years earlier, and had dreamed of bringing their entire family back. So, on July 21, 2017, 56 Hooles were on board the Celebrity Millennium, ready to have a wonderful week with each other and to experience Alaska!

Standing on the 11^th deck of the ship as it made its way through the icy waters of the Inside Passage there are 360 degrees of spectacular beauty to enjoy! Daily there was the sun glancing through the vapor-like clouds draping over steep green mountaintops on the horizon. Our first day at sea, just off the starboard side, there was a large pod of dolphins leaping through the water, splashing their friendly smiles up at us. We saw bald eagles with a wingspan of up to seven feet soaring through the air. There were humpback whales breeching, sea lions barking and waterfalls roaring.

Each day was a new adventure. We climbed mountains and repelled. There were trams and trains to ride, along with kayaking and canoeing. With wheels screeching against cable, we shrieked as we zip lined through low-hanging clouds brushing over trees tops. The wind-swept through our hair as we breathed in fresh, brisk mountain air. Descending through the clouds we could see the rugged land meshing with waves of water.

The day we ported at Icy Straight Point a group of us, with two guides, drove to a road that bridged a river filled with salmon, hoping to see hungry bears. Excited, we spotted a brown bear and watched him through binoculars jump and splash as he grabbed at fish. Unsuccessful at catching dinner, the bear continued coming downstream. He stopped, looked from side to side, took in a deep breath smelling us, but not afraid, he came closer. The guide, putting a finger to his lips, cautioned for quiet. We stood silent, almost holding our breath, as the bear walked beneath us 15 feet below. A T-shirt we laughed at earlier while window-shopping came to my mind. It read, “What doesn’t kill you will make you stronger, except for bears, they’ll kill you!” Now this thought brought goose bumps down my arms. It seemed as if I could reach out and touch this wild bear and at the same time I was safe; it was incredible. In unison our group tiptoed across the bridge and leaned over the other side, mesmerized as we watched the bear wade through the water. The bear ignored us, but we spontaneously erupted with cheers and clapping when he finally caught a salmon about 50 feet down river.

In Juneau we had the opportunity to see the Mendenhall Glacier. The deep blue crevasses of the glacier give its mass dimension – a gorgeous sight. Nearby was Nugget Falls cascading down the mountainside. The day boasted perfect weather, not too sunny and not raining. Two groups of family canoed to the glacier and with crampons on our feet and helmets on our heads, we crunched our way into the ice caves of the belly of the glacier. Even in the dim light the ice looked clear and beautiful, being slick and smooth to the touch. The clean, cold water streaming down off its wall was refreshing to taste. Then climbing to the top and walking on the glacier felt like walking on time itself, witnessing the movement of
the glacier as it was calving.

 

While window-shopping later that day, the smell of something yummy led many of us to a fudge factory. We were delighted to learn that along with fudge and chocolate they also sold huckleberry ice cream. The best treat of all was eating at the “Alaska Fish & Chips Co. – At The Flight Deck.” I saw a sign that said “Eat Fish, Be Happy.” Although, I should probably confess that their hamburgers were the best ever!

On board there was a lot to do. The cruise line offered many activities and programs from a chef’s kitchen tour to a late night comedy act.  And you could relax with a book, take a nap, hang with cousins or sit in the Jacuzzi and watch the sun that never seemed to set. You could even earn money with a dare from Uncle Spencer. “Hey, who will go over and ask that man for a sip of his beer?” He baited his nieces and nephews. Chase, happy to be the recipient of some extra cash, walked right on over. The man, kind and cooperative, gave him his beer to hold up and wave. (Don’t’ worry, Grandma, he didn’t drink any)

From the ship we had a great view of the Hubbard Glacier, a huge glacier that is 76 miles long, six miles wide and has a 400-foot face. You could hear the thunderous noise of the icebergs that were as tall as a ten-story building, falling from over 200 feet crash into the bay, causing water to shoot up like a geyser. You could hear “oohs and aahs” as all the passengers stopped to watch the calving. Hundreds of ice blocks, floating all around our ship, dotted the water. Grandma reminisced about being here with Grandpa and passed around a photo of the two of them with the glacier in the background from their trip in 2004.

We were quite the sight as the three generations of family gathered on the 10^th deck, of the ship, wearing the same blue “reunion T ” (Thanks Ty and Spence) for a once-in-a- lifetime photo. Roger, who does not like attention called to himself, willingly came ready to pose with a smile. Brad also came smiling, donning a women’s “T,” bursting at the seams because of a mix up with sizes. It was hilarious. There was laughter; knowing Spencer was making gang signs in the photos amid murmurs of “Are we done yet?” It was a people watcher’s dream, each individual face reflecting their distinct personality.

At first I felt overwhelmed with so many people to see and talk to, not wanting to miss out on anything, but I settled in as each evening all 56 of us gathered to play games and visit in the prearranged conference room. We laughed and shouted as we competed to win the treats and prizes. To thank Grandma and show our love, we presented her with a ring which had all her children’s – Janet, Jean, Roger, Diane, Elaine, Becky, Nancy, Spence and Greg (whoa, I can say that in 2.5 seconds) – and Grandpa’s birthstones inlayed in it. Tears ran down her cheeks as she opened the box and saw each stone.

One of the best parts of the cruise was the interaction we enjoyed reconnecting with one anther. I loved the face-to-face moments of conversation and sharing that don’t happen as often as we wish amid the hustle and bustle of real life and with family members spread out all over the country. I was glad to be able to find a private corner on the ship to sit down and have a meaningful conversation with a sister of mine – a single mother. We discussed many things and my heart ached as I came to understand her difficult situation better. Later, I had an insightful conversation with my mom and then a wonderful conversation with a brother and his wife. We talked about living up to your potential. It was interesting to think about potential and to wonder what it meant to each of us. I loved the time spent together, easily seeing the best in each person.

The last night, Grandma took the opportunity to talk to all of us. She smiled about how grateful she was to see the ship as she arrived to board, “This trip has been a dream of mine for a long time and it now was actually going to happen!” she exclaimed. She then spoke about every one of us being in ship-shape. ” Just as a ship is orderly, clean, prepared, punctual, governed by rules, focused and directed, led by a captain and charted toward a glorious destination, so each one of us as Hooles strives to be.”

We talked of Dad and attributed the good weather we had all week to him, knowing that he was watching over us. Greg explained the procedure to disembark the next day and we joked about how we would all go into withdrawal not getting any more of his weekly emails! Then promising to share photos, we lingered to visit.

I came to Alaska prepared with Dramamine, binoculars, a rain jacket and family games.  On the last day as I took off my hiking boots and packed my bags to go home, I realized that I was not prepared to leave. The week had been amazing and it was hard to say goodbye to family and to Alaska. So, I went up to the 10^th deck and grabbed a soft blue plaid blanket, looking for family to sit by. I stared out into the night, wanting to enjoy one more view with one more family member. I sat in silence while a feeling of immense gratitude for beauty, family, the world and God overcame me. I inhaled as deeply as I could, trying to take it all in, thinking and meditating with a desire to add understanding to all of the experiencing.

And that is when it happened…the spirit spoke to me. My gratitude for the broader and more encompassed view of the world that Alaska has given me grew inside me. My appreciation for the connections with family that the trip allowed me also grew within me. The Alaska experience had carved out a large place in me to feel, to love and to appreciate.  I perceived a clearer view of myself, my aspirations, my relationships with family and with God. I want to be a better person and reach out more to this family I love. I want to be more aware – aware of nature, aware of others’ needs and aware of what God wants me to do. These feelings, strong and sweet, burn within me, changing who I am. Thanks Alaska, thanks Grandma and thank you Grandpa.

Elaine Quinn’s journal – July 2017