Newsletter – Northwest Navigation Co.

She Brought Watercolors to Glacier Bay

9 March 2026

Sarah Kirkish

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Categories: Alaska, Birds, Glacier Bay, Newsletter, Wildlife

She Brought Watercolors to Glacier Bay

Brown Bear and Pigeon Guillemots – watercolor by Becca Conway

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.

Orca whale Sighting – watercolor by Becca Conway

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

Revisiting Photo Memories

8 February 2026

Sarah Kirkish

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Categories: Alaska, Newsletter, photography workshop

Revisiting Photo Memories

Tidepool Barnacles – photo by Christine Smith

People often ask what I do with all photos I take during the summer. It tuns out that sorting and processing photos from the previous season is one of my favorite off-season pastimes. In those images live memories and connections — and sometimes surprises. Details I didn’t notice at first. Small stories waiting patiently to be seen. When I’m ashore or aboard the boat, my camera is usually nearby. There are the obvious moments I love to photograph — whales while underway, or a bear or wolf appearing briefly along a shoreline anchorage. Those images feel electric and a little heroic. But just as meaningful to me are the quieter subjects — the textures, patterns, and living details that don’t announce themselves loudly.

When I’m guiding guests ashore, something will often catch my eye — light on rock, color in a tidepool, the shape of a plant or animal. If time allows, we pause and explore. If not, I’ll take a quick photograph — a note to my future self — trusting I’ll return later and look more closely.

Revisiting images is a little like rereading a good book. You return to the same place, but you are not the same reader. New details surface. New meaning appears.

One photo I revisited recently was of a cluster of barnacles. I’ve always loved watching them feed — their tiny “garage doors” opening and their cirri (those little feathery appendages) extending into the water, filtering invisible meals from the tide. When I took the picture, I was drawn to the pinks and greens and the open plates of the upper barnacle. Months later, looking again on my computer, I noticed something I had missed entirely — a small limpet tucked between two of them. A quiet companion hidden in plain sight. It made me smile. There is always more than meets the eye.

Another image brought back a tidepool moment at Fords Terror. I had noticed a milky cloud swirling around a painted anemone and snapped a few quick photos while keeping an eye on slippery rocks and wandering boots. At the time, it was simply a mystery I meant to investigate later. Then I forgot about it — until the image resurfaced during editing.

Painted Anemone – photo by Christine Smith

Suddenly I was back there — the scent of low tide over granite sand washed with cold, glacier-fed seawater, the cool air, the sound of the swift current moving through the narrows. Looking closely, I noticed not only the cloud near the anemone’s mouth and tentacles, but also a similar release from what appears to be a nearby mussel or other bivalve. That sent me digging through field guides and references. One explanation suggested a defensive mucus response to disturbance. Another possibility was spawning — a synchronized release of eggs or sperm. I’m not certain what I witnessed, but the photograph reopened the question and let the learning continue long after the tide had turned.

I often say that travel — especially slow travel — works on us over time. Sometimes it takes days, weeks, or even years to understand how an experience has changed us. Photographs help extend that process. They let us return. They help us see more clearly. They invite curiosity long after the moment has passed.

In researching that anemone image, I learned that painted anemones can live up to eighty years — a fact I hadn’t known before, and one I’ll be sharing with guests from here on out. That’s another gift of looking twice: deeper knowledge, richer stories, stronger connection.

For me, photography is a type of journaling and remembering. It is a way to strengthen our relationship with the places we visit. It deepens our connection to each other and to the natural world, and building connections remains one of the most important things we hope to offer every guest who travels with us.

Here’s to returning, noticing, and discovering what we missed the first time.

Sincerely,

Christine

Wait. What? We’re up for an Award?!

21 March 2024

Sarah Kirkish

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Categories: News, Newsletter

At the beginning of the year, I found out that we had been nominated by members of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County for the Whatcom Business Alliance’s Small Business of the Year Award. Jeffrey and I felt honored that our nominators were part of Bellingham’s greater maritime community. It felt good to be recognized for our hard work and dedication, especially by those who understand the challenges of running a marine-based business.

Honestly, we didn’t think the nomination would go beyond that. But then, later in January, I got a phone call from the Business Alliance’s Executive Director informing us we were finalists for Small Business of the Year Award. “Wait, what? Really?” I think I remember saying back to her. I’ve never really felt like we were award material.

The Executive Director explained that we would be contacted by a reporter for their Business Pulse Magazine as well as a video production crew. Each finalist would have a short video produced about them to show at the awards gala. The event was described as a black and gold themed event. “Yikes,” I thought. I would need to shop for a dress, since dressing up is not something I usually do.

As I texted Jeffrey and Sarah to let them know, I experienced a rush of emotion I hadn’t felt since starting to write More Faster Backwards about our startup years. This honor reminded me of the eight years of rebuilding and the hurdles we faced, leading up to the joy of our boat christening party where Jeffrey’s mom, with all her might, broke a bottle of champagne over the bow. I remembered my mom too, and how she found working on the David B with me healing for her as she battled cancer.

Reflecting on our business’s inception and our first years brought back memories of overcoming economic downturns, a catastrophic winter engine freeze, and a global pandemic. Despite new rules and regulations, we are here, stronger than ever, 26 years after buying the David B.

In that time, we’ve forged new connections, friendships, and adventures. The David B has taken us to many places with numerous people. More than anything, I cherish the community that has supported our vision of restoring an old, decaying wooden boat and taking people on wilderness journeys we hope are fulfilling and transformative.

Team David B – Sarah, Christine, Jeffrey and Matt

The award ceremony was this past weekend. Dressed to the nines, we enjoyed a wonderful time with our crew and family. While we didn’t win Small Business of the Year, we gained much more. The event allowed us to celebrate our identity and mission, reflecting on what makes our business special and why we approach each day with dedication, focus, and persistence.

WBA Finalist Award — Whatcom Business Alliance Finalist Award

My only regret is that this recognition came too late for our mothers to see. I know they would be incredibly proud. Seeing what we’ve built, and the extensive community that is “Team David B” fills me with joy. Your support too, dear reader, during both good and challenging times has been invaluable too, and is what made us shine in front of our local business community. Jeffrey and I can’t thank you enough for keeping our dreams afloat.

With the deepest love and gratitude,

Christine

PS -We are hoping that we’ll be able to share a link of the video they made of our business with you soon. They did a fantastic job.

Sign me up, Sarah!

22 January 2021

christine

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Categories: Cruises, Newsletter

So, you hear about the once in a lifetime trip your friends took to Alaska on the David B… Or maybe you are searching about small ship cruises to Alaska and find our website… Or you are reading Outdoor Photography magazine and see one of our ads.

Eventually, you click on “Contact Us” or sign up for our newsletter to find out more about the David B and its crew.

Then one day, Christine’s photos of Alaska’s wilderness and a witty article about a previous trip from Jeffrey seals the deal and you get excited enough to book a trip.

What do you do next?

Say “Sign me up, Sarah!”

Here’s how it works. I’m Sarah, and let me take you through what you can expect in terms of making a reservation with us and what it’s like working with me, “shore support” for the David B.

I take the reservations (as well as serve as cat staff to Jeffrey and Christine’s cats,) while the David B is in Alaska during the summers. It’s my pleasure to answer the questions you have about our trips. I’m even more delighted when someone I am communicating with signs up.

So when you say, “Sign me up, Sarah!” the first step is the deposit. I’ll send you an email invoice to pay. We take payments through QuickBooks online. This way I don’t have access to your credit card information and it’s all on their secure server.

Once we receive your reservation deposit, I’ll send you our Welcome Letter. It highlights all the details of your trip so you can start planning your flights and hotels. Of course, I am always happy to answer your questions with suggestions about side trips and what to do if you plan to stay a few extra days in port before or after your trip.

Then things are pretty quiet after that for a while. I’ll probably do some knitting or play with cats.

When your trip is a little over 90 days away, I’ll contact you again with a reminder that your final payment is due. You can pay online again or send us a check if that’s more convenient. If you make your reservation less than 90 days before the trip sails, then you would have paid in full at that time.

Again 6 weeks out, I’ll be in touch to make sure we have all of your Health and Liability forms filled out. This is where you can tell us your food allergies, special diets or what interests you most about your upcoming trip so we can customize the adventure just for you.

As your trip approaches, the emails become more frequent with a trip reminder two weeks out making sure your flights are confirmed, and finally a few days beforehand to make sure you know how to find the boat on the day of your trip.

On the day of a trip, even though I’m not there, I’m just as excited as you are! However, my job isn’t finished yet. After I get a text from Jeffrey that everyone has arrived at the boat safely, boarded, and you are underway I am still available to the crew throughout the trip – just in case.

After your trip, I’ll send you an invoice for any David B Gear you purchased to take home such as a book, coffee mug or sweatshirt. And finally, I’ll send a post-trip survey to find out how we did.

So if this has made you interested in signing up with us, don’t hesitate to contact me and say “Sign me up, Sarah!”

Stay safe and stay well,
Sarah

PS – If you have any questions about any of our trips in Alaska or the San Juan Islands, just send me an email or give me a call at 360-474-7218.

PPS – Also, if you would like a private tour of the David B contact me to schedule an appointment for our spring Open Boat in mid-April. Each appointment will 30 minutes with a 10-minute gap between appointments. The maximum group size is 6.

How Will COVID-19 Affect My Trip?

22 January 2021

christine

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Categories: COVID-19, Cruises, Newsletter

As the calendar turned from 2020 to 2021 we started asking ourselves more often what the new season

will look like in terms of COVID-19 precautions and policies. We feel that the virus is still a moving target and it’s hard to know exactly what to expect. Our hopes are that the vaccination rollout will gain momentum and the vast majority of us will be vaccinated soon. For now, we are keeping our COVID-19 policies in place. You can visit our COVID-19 policy page for more information. In the meantime, here’s what we’re working on making sure that travel aboard the David B, while the coronavirus is still an issue, is as safe as possible.

Here’s what travel will likely look like this summer:

Rescheduling: You may still reschedule a trip due to COVID without penalty, but only one more time for folks who scheduled in 2020 and just once for folks who schedule with us in 2021. We plan to return to our regular cancelation policy when vaccines become widespread. We anticipate this will happen in late summer or early fall.

Pre-Travel Preparations: We are still asking folks to take extreme caution prior to their trip through quarantine, mask-wearing, and proper hygiene. You will need to provide proof of a negative test that was taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding. We are also looking into the possibility of requiring a second rapid test that will be administered just prior to boarding. Because it is still unknown if a vaccinated person can spread the virus we will be looking to the CDC guidelines to see if vaccinated people can skip testing or if we will need to require testing for those folks as well.

Vaccinations: Like many small and large businesses in tourism, we would like to require vaccinations for all of our passengers. However, there may be many legal implications, and there simply may not be enough vaccinations available until later spring or early summer.

Your crew, Jeffrey and Christine, will become eligible for their vaccinations in February or late March in Washington state according to the current vaccination timeline. It is our intention that the crew will be vaccinated prior to the season beginning.

Canada: Our north and southbound Learn to Cruise trips that run through Canada may have to be modified depending on when the border is open to non-essential travel. Last year Canada Customs had us stop and

do a health check. We were then given permission to anchor if needed due to any weather or mechanical issues. No one was allowed to get off the boat for any reason. If this continues to be the case, our plan is to cruise up the Inside Passage in 4-6 days possibly running 24/7 and anchoring only if necessary. Once we cross the border into Alaska, we will make up the remaining days by cruising in Misty Fjords National Monument. It’s a good time of year for bear viewing, and with the reduction of cruise ships, Misty Fjords will be quiet, remote, and stunningly beautiful. We will be monitoring this closely and will likely know in March if the border will be open in late April when we leave to go north.

Alaska: Alaska’s Health Mandate for interstate travel is still in effect and requires that all travelers arriving in Alaska must take a test at least 72 hours prior to arrival in Alaska, have proof of a negative test, and fill out a health declaration. For our Northbound Learn to Cruise trip that ends in Ketchikan, Alaska allows us to count our days underway as quarantine days after people board in Bellingham with their COVID-19 negative test.

Hotels/Taxis: Last season, in an effort to protect the communities from potential exposure we asked that passengers arrive at the David B on the day of the trip and we then picked everyone up at the airport with the exception of Petersburg where taxi service or walking was acceptable. We are still working out whether this will be necessary for 2021.

What ifs: If you or another guest arrives aboard the David B and begins showing symptoms of COVID

David B Small Cruise Ship in Fords Terror

-19, you will be isolated in your cabin and the trip will end. We will return to the dock and you will be required to quarantine in a hotel at your own expense until you test negative.

Like you, we are so tired of the virus and can’t wait for it to be a memory, but while we wait for that day, we’ll continue to work hard to make sure we are doing everything we can to make your trip safe. We’ll continue to update you about changes. If you have any questions about travel this year aboard the David B, please call or email Sarah. She’s great at fielding your questions.

We look forward to seeing you on the David B!