All Aboard the White Pass & Yukon Route

After awing over the beauty of Fraser, B.C, I boarded the train and was greeted by a friendly young train employee who happily points out the Train Engineer and the Conductor. At a cost of $135, taking the WhitePass is a great way to get to and from Skagway, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon. It’s worth noting that this isn’t your typical Eurorail type of train. These carts are old, and the rail line is practically ancient. While it may not be the fastest train you’ll ride, the slow pace gives you ample time to take in the breathtaking views during the ride.

Old Sounds on an Old Train

As I acquainted myself with my seat, the train slowly began to move forward and I watched as the natural skyline began to change. My cart rocked gently back and forth, swaying to the beat of the precise heavy bass caused by the turning of the wheels. The hissing cry of metal on metal added a sense of old time flavour to the experience. The steam whistle screams and makes me jump. I laugh at myself for not expecting that. As the train passes through canyons covered in snow and ice I couldn’t help but feel as if it’s winter. It’s June 1st – practically summer – and snow in these regions are still measured in feet, rather than inches.

A low ceiling of misty white clouds hangs over the mountains. Sleet and rain gently pour down, adding a sense of adventure to the slow moving train. Walking outside of the trailing cart I snap photos of the ever changing terrain. After passing through a few tunnels it’s clear to see we’re approaching a rainforest. Snow trades it’s place for massive trees and the temperature begins to warms up. Waterfalls and cliffs can be found every few kilometres along the rail line.

Does a bear sh*t in the woods?

As the train curves around bends, I hang over the iron rails and snap photos. Then suddenly, as if waiting to see the train go by, a large brown bear is crouching beside the tracks. He isn’t moving, and one passenger asks “Is it real?” – as our cart is dragged a little further down the track we see the bear from another angle and quickly find out that yes, he is real, and yes bears do in fact shit in the woods. Our cart erupts in laughter as someone jokes “It’s the Charmin bear!“.

On to Alaska

Moving slowly along cliffs and waterfalls, across old bridges and rivers, we made it to our final destination – Skagway, Alaska. While I have many thoughts and opinions on Skagway; I’ve decided to leave them be for now (separate post on that coming soon). A train with this much history and beauty along it’s path really needs to be experienced to fully understand it’s allure. You don’t have to be a train buff, history geek, or arctic explorer to enjoy the Whitepass Yukon Route. All you need are some curious eyes interested in seeing one of the most beautiful stretches of rail you can find in North America.

The White Pass & Yukon Route – Gateway to the North is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I figured since this question is asked so often that I would find some maps of bear locations and sightings. Perhaps this will better explain myself in the future, or help people understand how remote bears can be. However, unless you’re a trained professional or happen to speak the bear language, I wouldn’t recommend trying to spot them yourself in the wild. Bears can be pretty unpredictable, but knowing where their territory starts and ends can help make visiting these remote locations safer for you, and the bears.

Polar Bear Territory

Polar Bears are tough to reach. They’re not going to be found on any normal roadtrip. Expect to take the train up to Churchill from Winnipeg to get a chance to see them, unless you’re cool with seeing them in a zoo. Check out Tundra Buggy – a company that promises to show you wild polar bears (and black bears too) from the safety of an elevated buggy. They drive across some of Canada’s roughest terrain in order to get to spot these white fluffy (and incredibly deadly) creatures. Check out Tundra Buggy for more info.

Grizzly Territory

Grouse Mountain has a Wildlife Refuge, they’re home to Grey Wolves and yes, Grizzlies! You can watch them from a safe distance during the Spring and Summer. While it may not be the most wild Grizzly you could see, it gives you a good sense of their nature. Check out The Grouse Mountain wildlife-refuge for more info. If you’re really adamant about seeing a Grizzly in the wild, you can often spot them between Banff and Jasper along the highways. However, there’s a few “unwritten rules” you should adhere to when you’ve spot a bear along the highways.

1. Do not leave your vehicle for a photo, bears are faster than you think.
2. Do not feed the bears. Ever! A fed bear is a dead bear. If they get used to human contact, they get put down by the park. So save a bear, and your food!
3. Stop only for a short while, grab your photo and be on your way. Try your best not to start a Bear Jam. If more than two cars are watching a bear, you can bet that the next 30 vehicles will stop too. It gets pretty ugly quick when that happens.

Black Bear Territory

These little bears (in comparison to grizzlies) can be seen throughout Canada. They tend to keep to themselves like most bears, but don’t let their size in the bear kingdom confuse you. Black Bears attack just like the rest of them. They’re primarily found in the northern parts of the provinces and territories, but have been spotted in the southern parts as well. Campers are typically warned if there are bears in the area, and what type of extra precautions need to be made.

Brown Bear Territory

Brown bears have one of the smallest amounts of territory, and their numbers are still up for debate. Brown Bears size and weight can change drastically, depending on whether they’re located inland or on the coast. Personally I have never seen a brown bear but I have friends who’ve come across them camping deep in the bush. Just like every other bear out there; keep a safe distance. Remember that when you’re in their territory, you’re not at the top of the food chain anymore. Brown Bears can be spotted in the northern parts of BC and Alberta, as well as the Yukon & Alaska.

Kermode Bear Territory

The Kermode Bear, or “The Spirit Bear” is a white (think polar bear-esque) bear that lives in the pacific west coast of Canada in a small region of islands and forest. They are one of the rarest bears you can find, and local legends and myths surround this magnificent creatures. Lately there’s been some serious threats to their habitat with Enbridge Tankers (famous for over 800 oil spills) & a pipeline that is set to expand into this area. If you’re keen on protesting, sign this petition to help show your concern. These bears possess a very small region of Canada, and are rarely sighted by humans due to their remote territory.

I am by all means not an expert in bears, I can count on two hands how many times I’ve seen them. They’re one of the most awesome animals to spot in Canada. However, sightings need to be done from a safe distance. These animals are powerful, and due to this crazy strength the moment they start interacting with human life their own lives are put in danger, as are the people they’ve grown accustom to.

Bears need to be respected and admired from afar. Youtube tends to be the safest distance you could get, so enjoy this great Grizzly Footage.

Where to spot Bears in Canada is a post from: I Backpack Canada

This past Thanksgiving was hands down one of the most memorable I’ve ever had. I convinced my old man to take some time off work and join me up north for some fall horseback riding in the boreal forest. The goal was to catch sight of the 400+ free range plains bison that roam Prince Albert National Park. Little did we know how close we’d end up getting.

These brick-walls of beasts have had a tough go, yet despite their near extinction, they seem to be thriving in Prince Albert National Park since their re-introduction in 1969. They’ve come a long way since the first 50 were brought back. That’s partly due to the preservation efforts of Gord Vaadeland, Founder and Executive Director of the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards. That’s only one of his gigs, he’s also the ED of CPAWS-SK and Watershed Awareness Coordinator for Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification. Say that 3 times fast… (Can’t be done!)

I got in contact with Gord while I was still in Halifax and asked if he’d be keen on showing me around his parts. He gladly obliged, and within weeks we had a unique tour of the area setup, which included Horseback Riding the western part of Prince Albert National Park in search of the bison, and sleeping in a traditionally built tipi at Ness Creek.

A short 6 hour drive from Regina got us near Big River Saskatchewan. We pulled into Sturgeon River Ranch and were finally introduced to Gord. I soon learned that his skills extended beyond being an outfitter, a cowboy, and a bison steward. Turns out he’s also a bluegrass musician, and a bit of a TV Celebrity (What’s up Mantracker!?). We all hit it off and it wasn’t long before we had the horses in the trailer and ready to roll.

Welcome to Prince Albert National Park

We pulled up to the edge of Prince Albert National Park and saddled up. It’d been a couple years since I’d ridden horse, but I managed to shake the cobwebs after the first mile or so. Gord led us through trails that wove through birch and spruce, our horses powered through the thick. Watching Gord lead us slowpokes, I couldn’t help but think “Shoulda found a cowboy hat!”. That thought was interupted as I was forced to dodge a low hanging branch. I chuckled to myself, “Keep cool Corbin, pay attention…”

Our horses began to slow down, and suddenly became a bit nervous. You could feel the tension in the air. These horses knew something was up a ways. We all stopped in our tracks. A gentle breeze blew through the trees, the sound of rubbing leather mixed with the loud breathe of the horses made that moment feel like it lasted a lifetime. Gord whispered “They’re up there. You hear that?”. Large crunching snaps echo’d back our way.

We slowly pressed on, nobody said a word. We didn’t know if we’d get a second chance to spot the bison up ahead. As we continued through the trail, the bush got thicker. Gord lead us in the direction of the breaking trees. We slowed down again, and Gord explained “We usually recommend people keep a safe distance from the bison. If you can cover them with your thumb, you’re close enough. But since you’re with me, we’ll be using our elbows and putting that thumb a little closer to your face, which means we’ll be getting a bit closer. Hope that’s okay!” I nodded my head with a huge smile “Of course!”.

Spotting the Wild Plains Bison

The sound of snapping trees got louder, but the bush was so thick you could hardly tell how close you were. Gord offered to hang onto our horses to see if we can get a clear photo. I climbed off Applejack (a trustworthy steed if I may say so) and nervously moved toward the sound of wild bison. My old man was right behind. Creeping towards the bison soon became a game of “Oh yea? I dare you to keep going!” I’d take one step, my Dad would take two. Soon we were lookin in the eyes of at least eight free ranging plains bison (there may have been dozens more behind them). We couldn’t have been more than 30 feet away from the small herd.

A final tree snap stopped me dead in my tracks. I looked at my old man and made eye contact, implying “If they move, I’m so out!” Several grunts and loud thumps on the ground forced me to take a step back. Then two. I looked up and blue skies and birch trees surrounded us, making a fast escape nearly impossible. Their noises progressively got louder, and I decided I had enough of playing chicken with thousand pound bisons. Another grunt & crack, and I was out! “Only gotta be faster than the guy behind you” I remember hearing. We laughed as we got back to our horses, blown away with what we’d just done. Needless to say my Dad gave me a hard time for backing out before him.

I was completely speechless as I tried to thank Gord. “Awesome. Wow!”. He laughed and said “I didn’t realize how close you guys were!”. He laughed as he handed us back our reins. Had that been anyone else I’m sure he would have Clint Eastwood stared us so bad for getting that close. But Gord seemed to trust us. Nothing like having a cowboy on your side!

Long Meadow – Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan

We pushed forward, following a few rough trails. Gord warmly told us about the history of the bison and shared some of the incredible preservation work being done with bison. This man is clearly passionate about his work. Who else but a Saskatchewan Patriot would come out on Thanksgiving Day to show a couple outta-towners around. As the conversation died down, the scenery opened up. A natural clearing called “Long Meadow” greeted us.

It was a breathe of fresh air to see the flatlands again and to set my eyes on the big blue sky. As we entered the meadow a White-tail deer skipped back into the cover of the trees. We followed Gord and picked up our pace. Just a few prairie boys wandering the land by horse. We stopped a mile or two up the meadow as Gord pointed out some moose antlers. A mile up and he stops to point out another sign of wildlife. The remains of a bison.

Bison Remains

He explained what makes Prince Albert National Park so different from all the rest with one word. “Predation.” There’s a couple wolf packs in the area that hunt the weak, injured, and the old. It’s a common sight in the park. It’s pretty wild to think that something could actually take a bison out.

We stopped for lunch in the middle of Long Meadow and Gord continued to share stories. The mans got a bunch, but you’ll have to book him yourself to hear them all. The horses fueled up on wild grass while we gorged on sandwiches and some of the best home made cookies I’ve ever had. Then it was back in the saddle.

Another herd of Bison

A few miles up we had our second encounter with another small herd of bison. Once again they were hidden in the trees. If my camera had a fist, it would have been shaking it vigorously at them. I wanted to see them in the wide open, but I suppose it wasn’t meant to be! More the reason to come back again!

It was coming on the 5th hour of riding, and the sun was just beginning to set. We had one last leg of trails to hit before calling it a day. We found our way onto a rough dirt road. Gord explained that a lot of these roads were actually started by the Bison. When people started showing up in the area, they picked up where the bison left off and turned the rough trails into drive-able roads.

Stoney Plain Meadow – Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan

Our fearless leader wandered into rougher terrain. Steep hills and fast slopes was the name of the game. Rocks, trees, and the odd patch of mud reminded our horses not to stumble. The horses pulled through with ease, and we soon found ourselves on top of a hill, overlooking Stoney Plain Meadow. Gord pointed out where his family’s land was and we enjoyed the start of sunset. Good company, great ride, and one helluva view. The definition of a great way to end the day!

Back at Sturgeon River Ranch

We loaded up the horses and dropped them off at Sturgeon River Ranch. I bid farewell to my new four legged friend Applejack and thanked Gord for sharing his wealth of expertise. He gave us directions to Ness Creek and said he’d meet up with us shortly. We drove 20 minutes on gravel roads and eventually found the right road.

Ness Creek Awaits

As we pulled into the Ness Creek grounds, you could see that it was a place for artists, free thinkers, and eco-friendly community leaders. The craftsmanship in everything from the signs, to the cabins, to the pieces of outdoor art located throughout the grounds make you stop and think “I wish I did more stuff like this!”

We turned the bend and saw our accommodations for the night. Standing in the middle of a field was a traditionally built dakota tipi. The wooden poles pierced the orange sky, a light breeze blew the doorway gently. I stopped in my tracks to stand and take it all in before snapping a photo. Wild bison, a full day of riding in the boreal forest, and now a night under the stars. I thought to myself “I have this moment to be thankful for.”

Big thanks goes out to Gord & the Gang at Ness Creek for showing me around their little slice of heaven. If you want to see more wildlife photos be sure to check out the Bison Stewards Facebook Page. Same goes with the Sturgeon River Ranch Facebook page! Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Ness Creek, in the mean time, check out Gord Vaadeland’s appearance in Mantracker.

Horseback Riding in Prince Albert National Park with Sturgeon River Ranch [Photo Essay] is a post from: I Backpack Canada

As a kid I had this giant book of Cetaceans that I studied front to back. I was absolutely obsessed with whales & dolphins. To see something that could stay underwater for so long, and live entirely in water while still having such a complex social structure. Wow. Those things blew my 8 year old mind. Still do from the looks of things! Unfortunately, being from the prairies, it was quite a while before I actually saw any, the first being those two sad Dolphins in West Edmonton Mall, the second a wild pod in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

So I chose this video because I love whales & dolphins, the corny celtic music, and hilarious captions over videos. They pretty much make my day. My personal favourite caption is “Aerobatic Dolphins!” I’m not sure why that makes me laugh so much, maybe I’m sleep deprived. But wow, good stuff.

My biggest fear is that I’ve waited too late in the summer to see the icebergs in Newfoundland. Apparently the Iceberg season lies between May & the end of July. Which isn’t to say I can’t go again next summer; by all means I’ll have more time to do so. But I swear, if I don’t find myself in Newfoundland soon I will be obligated to donate a well aimed punch to my own gentlemen.

High 5′s out to FinWhales for the awesome website.

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – Whales and Icebergs in Newfoundland & Labrador is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Do you love contests? Writing? The Ocean!? From May 3rd to June 5th, the Living Oceans Society is running “The Way I Sea It”, a blogging contest where contestants will share an experience that inspired them to make a difference. Submissions will be in 300 words or less, then its up to you to try to get as many people as possible to vote for your entry. So heard the masses of Facebook, score as many RT’s from your followers on Twitter, recruit Mom, Pa, Grandma, your kid brother. Tell everyone, and get them to vote! The final contestants will be weeded out to the final five, who’s submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges. Then, on June 8, otherwise known as World Ocean Day, a winner will be announced.

The winner of “The Way I Sea It” will be awarded a six-day adventure cruise by sail with Maple Leaf Adventures, along British Columbia’s coast, and will have the opportunity to use their writing skills to jot a few guest posts for Water Blogged, the Living Oceans Society’s blog. This awesome sailing trip will take place on a 95-ton schooner Maple Leaf, which features personal guides, whale watching, sailing, a gourmet chef, and hiking in the 200+ rainforest islands of B.C.’s Broughton Achripelago. The trip is the “Whale and Totems Tour of the Great Bear Rainforest” from August 28th, to September 3rd, 2011. Talk about the perfect way to end your summer!

For those who don’t know, The Living Oceans Society has been helping in the effort to protect Pacific Canada’s coast since 1998. Located in the small fishing village of Sointula, British Columbia, they have made a name for themselves as a leader in BC Conservation. The Living Oceans Society’s main goal is to help reduce harmful human impacts on the ocean.

As a fellow Canadian, its my civic obligation to tell people travelling through Canada to be aware of their personal impact on the environment, and that includes the ocean. Fortunately, Eco-tourism has seen a rise in popularity, and part of the reasons is due to the help of organizations such as these.

Enter Now! Get your entry in now, and start canvasing through friends, families and strangers and get yourself into the final 5, and find out why BC is so famous for its beautiful coastline! Best of luck!

Enter “The Way I Sea It” Contest & Help Make A Difference is a post from: I Backpack Canada

We were joined by my youngest brother, Payden, my Dad’s fishing buddy Eric, and his Father-in-law, Wayne. Being the non-expert, I gladly sat back and observed the pro’s in action. Wayne has been fishing Last Mountain Lake for over 15 years, Summer or Winter, he’ll find a way to put his line in. Over the years I’ve managed to find myself falling through thin ice two times too many. Needless to say, I felt a heckuva lot safer knowing we had a couple seasoned professionals on board with us.

Meet the Artctic Cat

As my little brother and I unloaded the truck and threw whatever we could onto the Snowmobile, the old boys dragged out the collapsable ice fishing cabin and proceeded to attach it onto our sweet ride, the Arctic Cat. Faster than your average feline, and comfortably sits 3. As the final rods and tackle were loaded up, Wayne was happy to let us young guys hop on the sled with him. Take that walking!

Goodbye Shore!

The snowmobiles motor roared and we were off, dragging what I could only guess was over 900 pounds of gear and body. I couldn’t help but think “All those Christmas sweets could actually be the death of me”. I laughed it off as we picked up speed and watched as the snowy shore lined with cottages faded towards the horizon. Wayne let up on the throttle and slowed us down to a spot he thought might be deep enough to catch something.

18 Feet And Counting

He used his fancy ice penetrating laser depth finder to find out we were still only above 18 feet of water. He suggested we head a little further out in the hopes that we’ll have better luck, and to avoid snagging any Jacks. The engine roared back to life and we continued on, despite knowing perfectly well the weather was turning on us. What was once a sunny blue Saskatchewan sky with calm winds had turned overcast and dropped to well below -35 with windchill. Prairie weather can be so unpredictable in the winter.

A Cold Walk On Ice

We slowed down to our final location and began unloading gear. The ice fishing cabin was quickly set up, and all the luxaries were quickly placed inside. This wasn’t Waynes first rodeo, he came prepared. Kerosene heater, check. Fancy laser depth finder, check. Underwater fishing video camera with 10 inch display, check. Prepared indeed! As we finished setting everything up, my old man and his pal Eric finally made it. They were forced to walk all the way out on account of the lack of room on the snowmobile. Poor bastards.

Drilling the Lake

Eric promptly picked up the auger and began to drill himself a hole in the ice. The ice was no match for this giant drillbit and it sunk through like a hot knife through butter. Water spewed out of the hole as the auger was pulled up, bringing shards of ice along with it. You could practically smell how cold it was down there. I quickly went over some old safety tips I had learned as a kid if you ever fall through the ice. I approached the hole and laughed at how thick the ice was. I thought to myself “Yea, I won’t be needing those.”

Prepare to Fish

Within minutes, we each had our own ice fishing hole along with baited lines dropped in. Our hooks dropped 20 odd feet and lay there waiting patiently, “Here fishy fishy fishy…” Part of me expected to haul out a marlin of a fish within the first few minutes, it just made sense to me judging by my prowess with fishing up north in the summer. Unfortunately, that wasn’t so. I sat and waited patiently.

Waiting for Fish

Time ticked by and still nothing. The underwater video camera showed a barren lake floor. I stepped outside of the heated cabin to see how the old boys were doing. Same situation over there. I couldn’t help but laugh at how red their faces were from the wind. If it weren’t for their relaxed bodies I’d think they were raging mad. They laughed as they saw me reaching for the bag where I stored a couple beers.

Coldest Ice Fishing, Ever

A snag, a false alarm, and a couple beers later and we still didn’t have a single thing. Wayne was apologizing on behalf of the lake, I insisted there was no need. Whether we caught anything or not, it’s still been fun. It’s not everyday you get to go ice fishing, and half the fun is just being out there. As the hours continued on, the weather continued to drop. It was getting to the point where skin was freezing, and we all decided to call ‘er quits.

As we loaded everything up I thanked Wayne and Eric for bringing us out here. They insisted I come back soon to try again, and I promised I would. I got a taste for the ice fishing, and I sure as hell am going to catch something out there one of these days. Unfortunately, that won’t be this winter. The truck was warm, and I had some extremities to unthaw. Fish or no fish, I had a blast!

Ice Fishing Saskatchewans Last Mountain Lake is a post from: I Backpack Canada

What is Ogopogo?

The First Nations of in the area have spoke of the Naitaka (aka Ogopogo) for hundreds of years. It was known as a constant threat to the people, and offerings were typically given before long journeys over Lake Okanagan. It wasn’t until the late 1800′s, when the Europeans began to settle/invade the area that stories and sightings began spreading about the 50 foot sea serpent living at the bottom of Lake Okanagan. Many people say Ogopogo is a cousin to the Loch Ness Monster, and is a living Plesiosaur.

Is this thing for real?!

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

In the last hundred and some years, countless photos, videos, and stories have surfaced about this Canadian Lake Monster. Unfortunately, as with most other cryptozoological discoveries, the photos are grainy, the videos are shakey and out of focus, or they’re clearly just logs of wood, waves, or in some cases just a beavers tail. Despite the lack of evidence, believers are common in the area.

My thoughts on Ogopogo

Having swam in Lake Okanagan, I can honestly say that it does have that eerie “What the hell was that…something just brushed my foot!” feel to it. Maybe thats because I had heard of the stories before swimming and I was just tripping myself out. Or maybe its the sheer depth and grandeur of the landscape and lake. Or maybe, just MAYBE, my chi was aligning with Ogopogos minds eye, creating a psychic connection where I could feel what he/she felt, and he/she could feel what I felt. Perhaps?

A note to Ogopogo:

I want to believe in you Ogopogo, because dinosaurs would be soooo awesome to ride, and feed, and probably party with. But if you exist, and read the internet, just do yourself a favour. Stand still for a photo, give a massive Dino-Scream in front of a video camera, heck…eat a tourist! We all just want to know, Are you for real!?

Sightings and stories of Ogopogo (’70s edition)

Yes, even the 70s had an interest in the unexplained. Watch the video “The Search for Ogopogo” and check out how young Leonard Nimoy looks! What a gem!

Part 2 of The Search for Ogopogo

Part 3 of the Search for Ogopogo

What do you think?

Do Lake Monsters Exist? And if they do, who would win in a fight…The Loch Ness Monster or Ogopogo?

Ogopogo – The Canadian Lake Monster is a post from: I Backpack Canada

We made it down to Murphys Wharft, where our whale watching tour was to begin. My hangover was consuming me. I told Justin, my roommate, that chances were good that I was going to upchuck on a whale, or possibly a small child. He gave me one last way out, “You don’t have to do this man”. I lifted my face out of my hands, “Yes Justin, I must!”

We all boarded Murphys Tour boat, a collosal looking thing with chairs lining the outer-upper deck and theatre-esque seating in the main cabin. I found a sweet looking seat right beside the edge of the starboard side of our tour boat. If I was going to be sick, I didn’t want to be running for a garbage or bathroom. Plus the fresh air distracted me from how many shots of whiskey I shouldn’t have partook in.

The tour boat set off toward the sea while the tour guides gave us an in-depth history lesson on Point Pleasant Park, Pier 21, and the Halifax Harbour. I took in as much as I could under the circumstances. That is, until one of the Murphys Tour Guides mentioned on the P.A system that there was a bar in the cabin. My guts said no, but my logic said yes. The only way to cure (or at least delay) this hangover was to drink through it. Hair of the dog. Thankfully, Justin and his old man were happy to join me for beers.

My thoughts were finally tuning into the beauty of Halifax’s harbor. The second largest in North American, next to New Yorks. As of yet, we hadn’t seen much in terms of wildlife, aside from some seabirds. The history lessons continued, when finally some harbor seals swam by far enough away to look indistinguishable from some of the waves. The Murphys tour guides informed everyone on boat that they were going to pull a lobster trap out to let us touch (and annoy) some crustaceans.

As they hauled up the heavy looking wooden box, I had to laugh a bit. It was almost empty. There were a few little guys in there, along with some stone crabs and a very pissed off fish. This was by all means nothing like “The Deadliest Catch”. Thankfully, Murphys Gang had a backup plan, they ran to their tank in the cabin and pulled out their domesticated lobster and crab to let the kids (and me) hold. We grabbed a second round of beers and took our seats to enjoy the sun as it faught its way through the clouds. My hangover would come back every so often, or maybe it was seasickeness. Regardless, I held strong.

We’d been on the boat almost an hour with still no sight of whales. I was beginning to think we might be the unlucky group of the day when suddenly crowds of children and a few eager photographers ran to the port side of the ship to see something. The Murphys Whale Watching crew announced that they’d found a Minke Whale, but warned we might not see it for a bit as it looked like it was diving. I figured I should get up to see if I could see anything. Then on the starboard side two more whales surfaced, where they proceeded to show off a bit. One minke whale waved its tail as it dove deeper, while the other was just surfacing.

After watching for 15 to 20 minutes, one last whale, or possibly the first one, surfaced again on the port side. Unfortunately, unless you have a telescopic lens with a trigger finger and some serious high shutter speed, you may have a heckuva time catching any pictures of whales. As you can see, I didn’t. But I think that’s what a lot of people seem to forget. Its a Whale Watching Tour, not a Whale Photo Shoot. After realizing I wasn’t going to be able to get much of a shot, I put the camera away for a while, and just watched the whales. Its incredible how much faster the human eye is than the camera.

The Whale watching tour finished with some bird feeding and a few more historical stories, including the famous Halifax Explosion. As I snapped a few last photos of the Halifas Skyline, I realized my hangover was gone. Then I got off the boat and realized I was perhaps a bit dunk. “Hair of the dog, you’ve done it again!” And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you go whale watching hungover!

Whale Watching & Hangovers in Halifax Harbour is a post from: I Backpack Canada