She Brought Watercolors to Glacier Bay
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
Lamplough blue is my favorite color. It’s the color of the Lamplough Glacier, in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. When the time and tide is right, we take the skiff ashore at Lamplough and walk near the snout of the glacier. The ground is hard-packed from the weight of the recently receded glacier. The walk gives you a grand perspective of the glacier. It’s a remarkable place for photography, sketching, writing, and personal reflection. We hope you’ll join us one day.