Something interesting...

Gray whale swimming in the Klamath River (this is not my picture)

There is something a little odd happening in Humboldt...well, truthfully Humboldt is all kinds of odd everyday...but this is interesting.  For those that have come to visit us from the North, you probably noticed the bridge over the Klamath river..it is the one with the gold painted bears on each end.  It has become quite the tourist attraction....a gray whale entered the river with her calf about 2 months ago.  The calf left a couple weeks ago, and went back to the ocean..but the momma has not left.  The local scientists and Indian tribes have tried everything, but she shows no signs of leaving.  They worry if she is getting enough nutrition and about people getting too close...she is 45 feet long for goodness sake!

I have a whale tale of my own to share....this was definitely a "bucket list" moment.  This took place a long time ago...when Mason was just a baby.  Lee and I went to Westport (WA) for a night or two, leaving Mace with Grandma and Grandpa.  On the spur of the moment we decided to take a whale watching tour, it was late int he season, so the tickets were a little cheaper than usual.  We head out of Grays Harbor and into the Pacific...Lee all the while reminding me to look toward the horizon...trying hard to keep my breakfast intact and still in my belly.  It took a long time, but some whales were finally spotted...it was amazing to see them (2 or 3) just swim and bob lazily in the ocean...we were on their turf.  The gray whales got closer and closer to the boat....I was like a child, eyes wide open and in total amazement.  One kept getting very close....and one time close enough to touch...Lee said he had never seen me move so fast, I saw it getting closer and thought I had a chance, I flung myself onto the deck of the boat and stuck my hand over the low railing....and touched a whale!   I could feel the skin and the barnacles that lived on the whales back.  It felt like slimy sandpaper.   It is one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced.  It is also a moment I have no proof of...we did not take a camera!


August 16,  I just read online that the whale beached itself last night and died sometime before morning.....it's sad, but also at the same time, an opportunity for scientists to learn more.