Whale Watching in Depoe Bay, Oregon
Alright I want some whales. I had the idea that I'd get out on the boat, get some sun, see some whales. Forget that idea. It's hella cold out here! The wind is blowing like crazy and I'm freezing! Running over to the ticket booth, I purchase my ticket and am given a 10-minute story on the whales that live in Depoe Bay. Although there are no guarantees to seeing whales on the trip, we're shown photos "taken by other passengers" of the whales spotted. From what the photos show, these whales practically jump into the boat to be photographed. This oughta be good.

Because I have about 45 minutes before the boat leaves, I head into the Spouting Horn Restaurant for lunch. Clam chowdaaahhh was just what I needed. *Burp*

Heading out, the water is pretty choppy so it's difficult to stand or walk around. Within five minutes, a chick is puking over the side.

"Thar she blows!" goes the shout from the guide as we all scramble to get a better view with our cameras and camcorders. I see the whale blowing, but it doesn't come out of the water enough to really see it.

Although by law, boats aren't allowed to get too close to the whales there is a loophole. If they manoeuver themselves right, they can shut off the engines and drift as close as Mother Nature allows.

At one point, we're all crowded on the right side of the boat looking at where the guide pointed out a whale when suddenly we hear a noise to the left of the boat. The whale has spouted right there! Cameras and camcorders all get yanked that way but it's too late. The whale has already disappeared. Damn! This is harder than I thought it'd be.

A couple more whales are spotted, including one that's mostly white, and the boat starts up and we take off after them. Makes me feel like a whale hunter chasing down the prey. Whales come up a few more times, but nothing as spectacular as when the one spouted right next to us. It was so close you could see the barnacles hanging on it. Because it was either run the camcorder or try to take photos, the camcorder won out. But I'm doubtful as to the quality of the tape. I think I'll mostly see me zooming in and out and waving the camera around to the left and right. Oh well. The trip lasts 75 minutes and I got some nice photos of the bay from a distance. And it's always nice to get out on the ocean.

Our guide is kinda cute in a lumberjack sorta way. When he takes off his gloves, I spot a wedding band. Damn!

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