A Whale Sized Visit

Yesterday, we silently slipped off the edge of a Polynesian boat into the open ocean. The color of the water defined blue, and the depth seemed immeasurable. There! Our guide jousted the sea with his finger but did not speak. Resting beneath us were white-bellied, black-finned giants—humpback whales. We held still without kicking or talking and waited patiently. Then, magic. One, two, three rose for a breath of air. Just before breaking the surface, they stopped and stared at us. Eye to eye, size did not matter for a moment. The silence was broken by their noisy water spouts and our laughter. Then the whales plunged, flipped their tales, and dove again. 

Back on the boat, I realized our precious time with the whales belonged only to us and them, just as our time stateside belonged only to us and our friendsamily. We started our grand visit to San Francisco at Todd’s house. He was such a phenomenal host that I’ll never remember breaking my ankle on his stairs. I’ll recall the beautiful city, that white burgandy, our Waymo driverless car experience, and his smiling face.

Next, Joshua and Nick took us to Sausalito. Warmed by the sunset, dinner and their company we had a great visit.

Then, we were off to Seattle. There was never a dull moment with Wayne and the Weil Family. From wakeboarding to lolligagging on the dock and everything Nancy cooked in between, Zachary, Michael, and I enjoyed the company and setting on Mercer Island to the fullest. 

We walked (and I hobbled) Seattle from Udub to Freemont.

We even bumped into some orcas in Bainbridge and some salty sailors in Ballard. How fun to see Lance and Jenni!

Jetsetting on, we went to Washington, D.C., to visit John, Elaine, Alice, and Steve. After spending some great time together, Michael and I split up. He stayed on for more good times with friends and family while I Amtracked to New York. No, I did not expect him to wind up at a Bruce Springsteen concert without me.

But, it’s okay because I was in good company with the Tunis clan, Mira and Zachary.

The next thing I knew, I had made it to Long Island for some great Mom time with special guests Aunt Rita, Uncle Richard, and Aunt Barbara.

I even managed to squeeze in the best coffee break evah in Irvington with the girls. 

Hooray Delta Airlines wheel chair services for helping me get to Sarasota, because Dad, Janet, Bonnie, and Leslie were waiting for me there. Whoever said that shopping, sunshine therapy and a little love can’t heel fractures was wrong. They do!

Crutches, scooters, boots, a Veo rental, and countless kind assistance people later the trip was complete. I made it back to French Polynesia, Gerty, Michael, and those big, beautiful humpback whales. 

Last Remarks

• Thanks for welcoming us back and keeping us company: Bruse and Carine SV Noxoma, Chris and Laura on SV Zephyr, Arno and Coraline SV Maracuja