Comments on: Finding the True Spirit of Nature Travel

By: C. Andrews

C. Andrews — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:35:03 +0000

Thank you, Kim. You’ve made me think that, sometimes, we even have to “see to support”!

By: Kim Dodson

Kim Dodson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:33:38 +0000

My colleague, Wendy, just returned from the same trip and had very similar sentiments. Candy, your descriptions really give all the photos I’ve seen such depth and life…thank you.

As they say, all good things in moderation–pumpkin pie and ice cream, a roller coaster ride, fresh flowers on your coffee table, viewing a mighty polar bear with her playful cub at dusk. Once you become excessive, the beauty and value are taken away. However, when you think about enjoying wildlife in solitude versus supporting conservation of an endangered habitat or species, you find yourself in quite the moral dilemma. Sometimes we must see to believe, and we must believe to support. Eco-tourism is an excellent option.

By: Leila

Leila — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:57:27 +0000

What wonderful pictures. I’m sorry that we missed the trip. It sounds as though it was magical and truly wonderful.

By: Sandra Drissen

Sandra Drissen — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:55:52 +0000

Low fog burns away / bald eagle topped trees appear / oh to reach such heights We certainly did reach the heights in this magical journey. The sense of quiet and solitude was wonderful and I feel quite greedy in wanting to hold it to just a few. A conflict I cannot resolve. I guess I will trust to moderation. I certainly thank Candy for gathering us into this fine NatHab trip. Bluewater Adventure is terrific, the crew and fellow travelers tops. I can only say thank you.

By: Carlyn Kline

Carlyn Kline — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:27:06 +0000

“We have seen much of the world and enjoyed every trip, but few have enriched our souls as this one did. True unspoiled wilderness shared with very special people gave us memories we will cherish always.”

By: Mary Kuppenheimer

Mary Kuppenheimer — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:43:19 +0000

Truly, the Spirit Bear trip was life-changing. The opportunity to visit such an untouched area was a privilege. Selfishly, I would hate to see many new tour companies added, for some of the magic would definitely be erased. Yet your point of helping fund the preservation of the area is a valid one.

By: Pat Marron

Pat Marron — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:20:22 +0000

Your story really captures the wonder of this area that we were privileged to visit. I remember how our captain asked us to be quiet in the zodiacs and just experience the environment. It was a truly magical time, a small group of people riding softly through the water, surrounded by misty mountains, watching for the wildlife, “alone” in the wilderness.
I hope that eco-tourism in this part of B.C. will be done wisely, and that the Olympics will not bring too many people to Princess Royal Island. There is a lot to be said for the solitude we found.

By: Muriel Shiff

Muriel Shiff — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:48:27 +0000

I knew I was missing a great trip, which after reading your article, sounds awesome. Hopefully I’ll be able to rejoin the group in the future. You do such a fine job of relating a story that it makes me fill like I was there.

By: Travis

Travis — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:53:36 +0000

I think the unanswered question here is what does a half-whale/half-bear look like?

By: Art Hardy

Art Hardy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:53:09 +0000

There just aren’t many places in the world that haven’t been affected by our desire to visit them. Excluding or limiting access to specific groups of people is often not an option and a balance has to be struck with the ultimate goal being preservation of the environment and the creatures who live there.

Long live wild places!