Can go awry. You design a vacation around a wild animal that decides that it does not want to be on display that week. You devise a foolproof schedule and then the world conspires against you and nothing is on time. You take every precaution and still chaos ensues.
Such was our week in the whale and wildlife watching business. You never know when that perfect storm is going to hit, but when it does you always feel it. When times like this come upon us we in the tourism industry, and especially the wildlife based tourism industry, appreciate the frustration that they can cause during someone’s hard earned vacation. We also greatly appreciate the fortitude with which the public faces each of these challenges.
Twice this week boats have gone afoul here in the islands. One on some shallow rocks and the Kittiwake today had mechanical troubles. To top it off, the orcas have not been seen in two days because they are out in open ocean. On all of these occasions though the guests have shown great understanding and have done their best to help the crews, companies and other visitors. Whether it was calmly being removed from one boat to another for transport back to port or whether it was gamely looking for elusive minke whales that seemed desperate to hide. What could have been miserable circumstances were turned into new adventures and pleasant motor cruises through the help of the wonderful visitors to the San Juan Islands.
So, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to personally say thank you to all of you who have shared your time with us here this week and who remembered that patience is a virtue. As always, I look forward to…
Seeing You In The Islands!
~Tristen, Naturalist
Orca Whales and Wildlife Are Our Only Business. ©
