Whale Watching

So I've posted before about the Blue Whales off the coast of Southern California and how cool it would be to see it up close and personal. Well yesterday that dream came true. We were booked on Safari Dave's whale watching cruise out of Dana Point, since Long Beach hasn't spotted any Blue Whales for over a week now. I thought we would be good to go if we left about an hour before check in which was 2 PM and the boat would leave at 2:30. Well the last 5 miles took as long as the first 30 miles to get there and we got there about 2:20 PM. Couldn't find parking, felt really rushed, forget my frozen water and in the rush forgot to take the "Dramamine." I wasn't too concerned, thought that it wouldn't be too bad out there 3 miles from the coast...boy o boy was I wrong. Soon as we left Dana Point Harbor the wind was strong and the waves were choppy. The Captain was very considerate and didn't take the boat straight into the waves like they did in Hawaii. Took me about an hour but I started feeling OK and we were heading to the Blue Whale infested water. Michael really wanted to go out to the front of the boat, but didn't want to leave me, my stomach did a flip and I really thought OK, I have only had a banana shake about 5 hours ago and a little water. I'm going to be OK. Well off to the side of the boat that we were sitting on there SHE was. 80 feet if not a foot bigger feeding and getting ready to dive, so I stood up with the camera to start taking pictures and get a really good eye view with the long lens. I got a couple of good shots before she dove under. I stood their waiting for the next Whale to show itself and well we hit a wave that lurched us and well lets just say I lurched myself. Manage to pretty much make it to the side of the boat, where I considered for a few minutes the strength I would need to dive overboard and swim back to shore or just die on the ship a slow and painful seasick death. I clutched the side of the boat but did end up getting the best view of the rest of the whales, but couldn't bring myself to lift up the camera and shot anymore pictures. About 30 mins later, Michael came over to sit by me, (he knew I needed to not talk or move for a bit)he said he was getting a headache and was wishing that the trip was already heading back, but we were on the search for "HOOK." Hook is about 65 feet long and has a back problem. Looks like he has been run over by a container ship. Half his tale is missing and he stays close to the top because he gets tired easily, with only having half a tail. Blue Whales according to Captain Dave...10% only show their tails and Hook likes to show his all the time. I got an eagle eye view of his tail, I wish I could have got a shot of it, I was in perfect position for it. Anyway...a few mins after that Michael ended up feeding the fish. I'm sure the blue whales are wondering what animal a Turkey is. The rest of the trip we ended up seeing only one dolphin, a bunch of sea lions, pelicans and a sun fish. I don't think a cruise to Alaska is ever going to happen for me, that would be a very painful trip. So here are the 6 pictures that I got from this trip. I guess I will have to enjoy Blue Whales from someone else's trip.

Oh..In Michael's defense, the only reason he got sick is that I ended up throwing up a bit on him in my effort to reach the side of the boat. He said the smell just kept getting to him and that's what made him sick. He can handle any rough sea, just can't handle me throwing up on him.