GOODBYE ALASKA

GOODBYE ALASKA…

My current home the Coral Princess left Alaska a few weeks ago and we are now on a sixty day cruise that is headed to Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Guam Hawaii and back to our port of original Los Angeles.

After spending six summers in Alaska on various cruise ships in Alaska it is time to say goodbye, at least for now. I have already confirmed my next ship the Diamond Princess for next summer that will home port in Yokohama. Instead of my usual summer in Alaska I will be enjoying Japan, South Korea and Russia.

I want to take the time to give a special thanks to some special friends that I have made over the years while in Alaska…

I’d first like to thank the owner/captain David Lethin, his wife “the Commodore”, Shauna Lee the Chief Operation Officer and the crew for the many trips taken on the Aleutian Ballad. Also for the privilege of providing many of the photographs for their book and the cover photograph.

Aleutian Ballad Cover copy — The Aleutian Ballad in port in Ketchikan, Alaska

I would also like to thank Paul and Amy of the Mountain Flying Service in Skagway for the handful of flights that I was able to take over the summers. Being able to soar over mountains, glaciers and Glacier Bay National Park was truly remarkable and something I will never forget.

skagway_flight_1_190 — Flight-seeing over Glacier Bay National Park

I’d like to say thank you to Kathy Shen who took a special interest in my book for her store Broadway Jewelry in Skagway and for inviting me to also supply her with not only my book but also photographs for next summer. I’d also like to congratulate her on her new store and location in Skagway next year.

Another thanks to Ken Decker and his wife Monica the owners of Crazy Wolf Studio in Ketchikan for carrying my book in their store, for their friendship and for the unique gift of a salmon leather wallet.

In closing I’d like to say a very special thank you to my good friend Rich Lee the owner/operator of Aurora Birds and Bears Tours of Ketchikan. I have become very close to Rich over the years, taken many tours to photograph bears and sat in his van shooting the breeze and enjoying his friendship. Rich has welcomed me into his family and I will miss him the most.

Ketchikan_blk bear cub_9671 copy — Black Bear while on tour with Rich

I am sure that I will someday go back to the mountains and streams of Alaska as it just gets in your blood. My son once told me when he was young “dad you are a mountain man not a beach boy”.

With that said let’s take a quick look back at a few of my favorite photographs of Alaska…

Marjorie Glacier_DSC_8785 copy — Majorie Glacier

Radu Glacier_D85_5422 copy — Radu Glacier

Haines Fog_DSC_9293 copy — Fog bank outside Haines, Alaska

Mendenhall_DSC_8577 copy — Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls outside Juneau

Icy Strait Pier_D85_ 6097 copy — Pier in Icy Strait

Icy Strait Old Pier_D85_ 0025 copy — Old Pier in Icy Strait

Ketchikan Fishing Boats copy — Fishing boats in Ketchikan

aleutian ballad_eagles soaring1 copy — Bald Eagle outside Ketchikan

Bald Eagle Fish_8834 copy — Bald Eagle fishing near Annette Islands near Ketchikan

Bald Eagle_8750 copy — Bald Eagle Close-up

Kodiak Family_1023 copy — Kodiak bear Family near Juneau

Grey Wolf_9816 copy — Grey Wolf near Haines

and my favorite shots of Alaska… my grandson Basil

taku_basil_dock1

basil_taku2

Author: larry pannell

I started my career in photography as a professional photojournalist in 1979 at the time working with several newspapers and magazines in Southern California. What I loved most about photojournalism was its diversity and over my career I covered professional sports, concerts and travel. As life would have it mine took yet another turn and in 1988 I developed an interest in holistic medicine. I became a professional massage therapist specializing in sports medicine. In 1991 I decided to go to medical school and obtained a medical degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and stared my career as a licensed acupuncture physician. After medical school I moved my practice to northern Idaho for a year before settling in the resort area of Sun Valley, Idaho. I’ve always been an outdoor person and hiking and backpacking the Rockies and fishing the pristine river waters and high altitude lakes offered me a wonderful photographic opportunity. In 2010 I left Sun Valley and I once again found myself on a cruise ship, this time working as an “Acupuncturist at Sea”. For the past seven years I have traveled to 85 countries, which has allowed me to photograph much of the world. View all posts by larry pannell

4 thoughts on “GOODBYE ALASKA”

Sounds like you spent a good, long time in Alaska. That must have been really nice. Just left there. It was really and awesome trip.

Pat

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larry pannell says:

July 20, 2020 at 9:38 pm

Hi Pat
Sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.
I’m glad you had a wonderful time in Alaska…
Were you on a cruise if so what ship…
To date I have spent 7 summers there on ships and this was to be my 8th but due to CoVid here i sit in the sierra nevada mountains near yosemtie so not a bad place…
I hope you and your are healthy and safe

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1. jazzytower says:
  
  July 20, 2020 at 10:24 pm
  
  It was the Norwegian Bliss. It went from Seattle to
  Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Victoria (British Columbia) then back to Seattle. One of my best trips! Yosemtie ah. Not bad. Yeah, Covid threw a brick through the window of ALL plans. We just have to wait it out.
  
  Pat
  
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2. larry pannell says:
  
  August 23, 2020 at 12:53 pm
  
  hopefully we will all be back soon
  
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