Refreshing and Reflective Waters
Johnny-on-the-Spot … by John Foster …
My wife and I recently returned home from an 8 day Alaska “inside passage” cruise.
We sailed from Vancouver with stops in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park and Ketchikan.
Weather was incredible.
Foggy, overcast mornings followed by sunny, mild to warm days between 65 and 75 degrees.
With the exception of of Glacier Bay National Park, the weather was not what I expected.
In Juneau, when our party was discussing dining options, I said all I wanted was some fresh crab and a cold Alaskan beer.
We answered that request at Tracy’a King Crab Shack where I got a Dungeness crab, lots of melted butter and a delightful Alaskan white ale.
My wife proved to be a pretty good crab shell cracker and digger.
In Skagway, my friend Bruce ran into an “old friend” at the Red Onion Saloon but you’ll have to see him for the “story-behind-the-story”.
We got “up-close-and-personal to the Mendenhall Glacier on the chilliest part of our trip.
Neav and I caught the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show in Ketchikan and watched the wood chips and sawdust fly almost as much as the bad jokes.
Then. on our last night at sea, the Northern Lights put on a bit of a show for us.
Along the way there were lots of whales, Orcas, otters, seals, some eagles and a bear or two.
But the experience reminded me most of all why I like cruises.
It’s the water.
This was our 3rd cruise and and we always get an outside room with a balcony.
There’s just something remarkably relaxing about the sound of the wind and waves while the light of the moon dances along the water.
Sunsets on the water just seem to be more spectacular, too.
Maybe this water-thing I’m describing is due to the fact that the typical human body as about 60% water while out brains are 75% water and our hearts 79%.
And seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by water.
Sitting on a beach, watching and listening to the waves lap the shore is incredibly relaxing and soothing. For me, the only thing non-water that comes close to that sensation is a campfire or fireplace.
It seems to draw all my tension and concerns right out on out, into the flames and away with the smoke.
I needed the water relaxation treatment after our commercial flying experience.
Simply stated, I just don’t enjoy commercial flying.
Undressing while going through air security is so fun.
Do I need to remove my shoes?
What about my belt?
Then, reassemble and dash to your plane as it backs from the gate.
Oh my!
And those delicious little bags of salted and seasoned pretzels, bread sticks and Melba toast!
I may open a diner and call it the “Economy Seating Lounge”.
I’ll serve those tasty little bags of snacks while you sit at a table the size of that pull-down tray with your
legs and knees jammed into a space the size of a Far-East cubicle.
With your belt fastened…just in case.
You can’t leave until every one in front of you reaches above their heads to locate their purse or wallet.
But, if that’s what I have to endure to enjoy the water, I’ll grit my teeth and press on.
I can’t think about water with recalling the song, “Cool Water”.
It was written by Bob Nolan with the Sons of the Pioneers in 1936.
Hank Williams, Frankie Lane, Mary Robbins and Vaughn Monroe each sand their version of the tune.
But I cut my teeth on the folk-rock version by the Rooftop Singers.
“Cool Water” was on the “B-side” of their 1962 hit, “Walk Right In”.
The song is the literal story of a thirsty cowboy and his mule, Dan struggling through the dessert with the help of a mirage as a deceptive symbol of hope.
“All day I’ve faced the barren waste
with out the taste of water…cool water.
Ole Dan and I, with throats burned dry
and souls that cry
for water…cool, clear water.
The nights are cool and I’m a fool.
Each star’s a pool of water…cool, clear water.
And with the dawn, I’ll wake and yawn
and carrty onm
to water…cool, clear water.”
The only ting more refreshing for me might be another Alaskan ale while sitting on the deck watching the the waves splash by.