So, how does this compare?

Every day on the water here is different.  We have no "route" - we go where we think our guests will get the best viewing.  It is never the same trip twice.

It took us an hour and 15 minutes to get to the whales yesterday.  Not an unusual amount of time.  I have joked in the past about expectations: some people seem to think the whales will be right outside the harbor... smiling and waving at us, as we casually motor right up to them... where they will do synchronized breaching, then swim up to the boat to hand us brochures.

"Tell your friends, we'll be here all week!"

Yeah, that's not the way it happens.  They are wild animals.  They can, and do, swim 70 to 100 miles a day, in search of food.  There isn't "a place where they hang out" in spite of them being "residents."  One of our guests said, emphatically: "We were told they are always in the same place, that's why they call them 'residents'."

Well, consider their "residence" to go from British Columbia, Canada, south to California.

"Ohhhh."

Another guest questioned the "90% success rate for seeing whales" on our brochures... "Every day is a completely different situation.  We work hard and are willing to go the distance so our guests can see the wonder of the wildlife in their environment.  Last year, we blew away that '90%' figure - it was a great season for whale viewing.  This year has been great, but we don't take that for granted.  If we are fortunate enough to see them, that is a 100% great day!  And that's what we will be working towards."

Our trip yesterday, where we were able to spend some time with members of L-Pod, was a great day on the water.  At the end of the trip, another guest wanted to know "How does this day, and what we saw, compare to other days?"

I replied, "Did you enjoy seeing the whales?"  (Head shaking "yes")  "Yes, it was a great day.  No two days are the same, and I try not to make comparisons - I enjoy taking in the experience as it happens.  You can tell all your friends that you got to experience something that most people will never see.  It gives me such an appreciation for these animals, and it is a treat being able to share this with folks like you.  Come out with us again - it will be a different trip.  Hopefully, you will get to see some of this kind of behavior again, but it will never be the same."

I guess that was enough to assure her.

There are some days where it is easy.  Some are frustrating.  Breath-taking.  Emotional, when you see the strong family bond.  Fascinating, when you see some unusual behavior.  Besides the whales, there is so much beauty and other interesting wildlife.   Sunny days where the water sparkles.  Foggy days where the island are shrouded and mysterious.  How do you compare?  And, why is there a need to?