Bushwhacking and Skiff Tour-Magoun Islands-Alaska

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My hand sinks into the dark, previously untouched earth, of Magoun Islands, Alaska. After finding the next foothold, I reach for a branch covered in soft, fuzzy, lichen. Our group climbs, or more correctly, crawls up the hill. It’s a careful, joyous, scramble, that leaves our hands and knees covered in dirt.

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I hum the music from The Lord of the Rings films. The never ending forest views of the Magoun Islands, with insane green blanketing everything in sight, makes me feel like part of The Fellowship. Or perhaps I am Titania, Queen of the Faries , from A Midsummer Night’s Dream .

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alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise
alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise

Magoun Islands is our last bushwhack of our Alaska Uncruise. Everyone throws themselves into one final day of adventure. It’s our third bushwhack in three days. My heart is already lamenting that I won’t be hopping over logs and walking through streams tomorrow.

alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise-obligatory traveler
alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise
alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise

I savor every step, deeply inhaling the clean, earthy aroma, of wilderness.

alaska-magoun island-bushwhacking-uncruise
alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise
alaska-magoun islands-bushwhacking-uncruise

We opt for relaxation, choosing a skiff tour of the Magoun Islands, for our afternoon activity.

It’s a treat having Dan, the ship’s Expedition Leader, as our guide during our skiff tour.

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Bundled up to combat the skiff’s breeze, our group sets out on a mission to spy landscape and wildlife.

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No bears are spotted, but we idle in multiple, clear pools, teaming with sea cucumbers and sea stars.

alaska-magoun islands-skiff tour-uncruise
alaska-magoun islands-skiff tour-uncruise

One particular sea star forces me to muster up all of my adult maturity. On the outside I’m all, what a lovely looking sea star. On the inside I’m screaming Patrick! It’s Patrick from Sponge Bob! I feel like I’m spotting a celebrity.

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As we cruise back to the ship, everyone is satisfied, but there is an air of sadness. This excursion concludes our week of awesome adventures on our Alaska Uncruise.

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Tomorrow we dock in Sitka. Most of the passengers will disembark and fly home, but for us, it’s the start of the next leg of our Alaska adventure.

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  1. Nina Clapperton

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    I love following along with your Alaskan adventures. I definitely want to go bushwhacking now!

  2. Donna Long

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    Loved the article! I am from Alaska, interesting tidbit…. those big tall flowers you took pictures of are commonly called cow parsley ( I don’t know why). Growing up we used to play with them. They make great whacking sticks because they are hollow. Something changed in the environment and now they are like poison ivy on steroids. The juices react with sunlight creating incredibly itchy rashes, hives, and blisters. I had rashes “re-activate” for two years during the summer season. Crazy!!

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

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      Wow that is crazy. I found out the Cow Parsnip after I had spend all our bushwhacks taking fancy pictures of them because I thought they were cute. Then I thought great I have tons of pictures of poison. They are still pretty though.

  3. Brooke of Passport Couture

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    What a beautiful place to explore! It looks like there are so many new things to find at every corner. I definitely have music from Lord of the Rings in the back of my mind when I look through your photos. 🙂 #WeekendWanderlust

  4. Jill

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    I love all your references but Patrick from Spongebob really made me laugh out loud ! We saw some beautiful starfish while in Alaska but I never thought about Patrick. Now I will if I see any. 🙂

  5. Rhonda Albom

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    It looks like you really got in touch with nature. I’d love to see all the sea life in the pools.

  6. Esther

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    Wow, this looks amazing!! The life underwater, something you wouldn’t expect. Beautiful!
    #WeekendWanderlust

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