A Whale's Tail

The whales have been very active and we have enjoyed spotting them from our balcony (like spotting deer in the corn fields back home - sometimes you catch them, sometimes you don't). If you are observant and quick we can catch a glimpse of the blow water spray or the hump of the back before it disappears. With all the activity we've observed from shore, we were excited to head out on our tour Saturday morning!

We boarded the 55' custom sloop, rigged sailing catamaran, the Trilogy Elua, with awe and excitement. Quickly the kids found the best place on the sailing vessel, the netting, where you see the ocean below and its vastness before them. We headed out with the salt water breeze in the air, the anticipation felt among the crew and passengers, and the giggling and murmur of our own crew by my feet. 

We quickly began to see many whales in the distance...breathe taking! The Captain quickly steering the vessel in their direction. 

Our crew was amazing. Crew Member Karen follows the whales back and forth between Alaska and Hawaii. She loved the kids and answered all their creative questions. A few tidbits we learned:

• Mothers milk is 50% fat vs. cow milk 4%
• Babies swim next to mom to eat; eating 100 lbs / day (approximately 12 gallons / day)
• Their fluke (whale tail) is 15 feet long - like a  thumbprint everyone is different! (males 45 feet; females over 50)
• Don't eat in Hawaii, feast only in Alaska - here to mate & give birth - need to save their energy
• Stay under water up to 45 minutes
• Hang out at 60 feet depth between surface & ground 
• Choose to breathe so they don't sleep

The show began at 9:00 off the bow of the ship. The whales started to share with us their magnificence! Captain Jason kept the catamaran aligned with them as the 12-15 whales emerged and then dove beneath the ocean surface; over and over in such amazement. The Captain said imagine how many were below the surface we couldn't see! They were 40 yards away and he turned off the engine so we could hear them. We followed them for awhile, however they swim much faster than we could go. The crew said it was their best display this season (2nd best in life for the captain)! You have to believe them...the crew even got out their cameras!!
 

It was an amazing experience (Daddy and DG sadly missed some of it as they hung out in the bathroom, DG peeing and peeing and peeing). The pictures captured and snapped in my mind will last a lifetime. The sound I can still hear as I close my eyes. 

The boys loved it too, but I think their memories will be different than mine, as Captain Jason and Captain Justin also loved the kids. The boys ended up in one of the best spots on the boat...at the Captains wheel. They definitely enjoyed the whales as you would hear DG gasp, "I see them" but steering the catamaran for them was priceless.