With warm rays, clear blue skies, snow-capped peaks and sparkling waters for miles, it’s hard to forget how lucky we are to be surrounded by the beauty of the Puget Sound. It’s a treasured area that the Clipper team has had the pleasure of enjoying for more than 31 years as an iconic part of the Seattle waterfront. One that we wanted to share with the people of Seattle with a special show of appreciation.
In June, we had the pleasure of partnering with Mary’s Place, an organization that supports women, children and families experiencing homelessness with programs and services to help restore lives. Over the course of two days, families were welcomed aboard the San Juan Clipper for a day of fun cruising on the Salish Sea and exploring Friday Harbor.
The upper seating area of the San Juan Clipper was filled with excited kids and their parents. As the vessel clipped north, the kids enjoyed time to play with their friends and relax as they and the other passengers chatted about the day ahead.
As we entered the waters near the narrow, swift-running Deception Pass, the kiddos rushed to the upper deck to soak in views of the iconic bridge, eagles and fabulous scenery. However, there was only one thing they really wanted to see – whales! Our orca friends did not disappoint…
Mere minutes into our whale and sealife search, our Captain was notified of Transient orcas in the area. Before long, the boat erupted in “oohs” and “ahhs” as the majestic black and white orcas sliced through the waters in unison.
After an hour of watching the whales cruise through the Salish Sea, we made our way back to Friday Harbor to enjoy time to explore on land. Content from their time in the sun, the group returned to Seattle with a new appreciation for their backyard and the beautiful region we call home.
Feature Photo: Melissa Sitrin