Birds

One of my favorite things about life aboard the David B is watching how people choose to spend their time. There’s no single right way to experience a trip — some guests dive into books, others keep binoculars close for wildlife, some focus on photography, and many simply enjoy the conversations and shared moments that naturally unfold on the water. But I especially love when I see people leaning into curiosity and creativity. Last season, on one of our Glacier Bay trips, a guest named Becca Conway brought along a journal and a small set of watercolors. Throughout the week I’d often pass by her in the saloon, tucked into a cozy corner painting scenes from the day — wildlife encounters, landscapes, quiet moments underway. Whenever I glanced at her sketchbook, it made me smile. She wasn’t just observing the trip; she was engaging with it in a deeper way. 

Creative acts — whether sketching, journaling, photographing, or even paging through a field guide — have a way of rooting us in a place. Curiosity slows us down. Instead of feeling like we’ve simply “seen Alaska,” we begin to build a relationship with it. The memories we carry home become richer, more textured, and easier to share because we’ve interacted with the experience rather than just passing through it. 

And it’s worth saying: you don’t have to consider yourself an artist to enjoy being creative on the boat. Bringing a notebook, a camera, a watercolor set, or even just a willingness to ask questions and notice details can open up a whole new layer of experience. Creativity isn’t about performance — it’s about attention and connection. 

Becca’s paintings were wonderful little story capsules from the trip. One I especially loved showed a pod of killer whales we encountered, with three pigeon guillemots lifting off nearby, their bright red feet kicking up sprays of water. Seeing it captured that way brought the moment right back. 

At the end of the trip, I asked if she’d be comfortable letting us share some of her paintings. She graciously said yes, and I’m so glad she did. Looking at them now brings back not only those places we visited together, but also the quiet joy of watching someone engage so thoughtfully with the experience. 

Thank you, Becca, for letting us share your work — and for reminding us how creativity and curiosity can deepen any journey.

Sincerely,

Christine

P. S. If you are inspired to join us in 2026, just contact Sarah. You can see our current 2026 and 2027 schedules here: https://northwestnavigation.com/schedule-and-rates