Home » Health & Wellness » Disabilities » Communing with Whales and Saltwater Rapids!

Communing with Whales and Saltwater Rapids!

© Michelle Struik

Have you ever stretched the limits of your disability while on vacation? Of course you have! Usually that is when most of us do those things our doctor’s warn us never to do! Ahhhh….. but sometimes we just have to go ahead and break with the status quo because we are like everyone else. We just want to have FUN! We want to break out of our usual mold, do something exciting and brag about it later when we get home. After all it’s only human nature to expand our horizons.

Recently my hubby and I ventured north to the City of Campbell River, British Columbia. Some of you may be familiar with the name as the Salmon Capital of the World. Well there are more than just Salmon to play with in this lovely city!

Campbell River is well known for it’s protected water’s, wildlife and friendly people. It’s close proximity to the ‘Inside Passage” allows you to view the splendor of ecotourism at it’s best. Here it’s a daily occurrence to view whales in their natural habitat, but it’s not just whales that hang their hats at the door, how about some bears, deer, eagles, porpoises or seals? Each day brings a unique natural view to your senses!

Have you ever done saltwater rapids? “Devil’s Hole” and “Arran Rapids” (The Drain) are exciting enough to get your senses whirling. The Eagles in the area use the rapids as their local “smorgasbord” diving for those tasty morsels of fish that have been stunned by the churning waters.

Or you might be lucky enough to see a couple of Pods of Orca’s (killer whales) travel across the bow of your zodiac boat singing their whale song as they pass you by. Don’t forget to look for the baby Orca’s! You might see them towards the end of the pack usually with a mother Orca carefully watching over them. They tend to act like kids do at the shopping mall….full of mischief and curiosity.

Maybe you’ll go visit “Robbie” the resident Grey Whale who decided she liked Campbell River so much she stopped her migration at their doorstep and moved in for what appears to be the duration! At first they thought Robbie was a guy, it took them a few weeks to figure out she’s a lady!

If you spot the seals be quick about saying Hello! These shy souls are quick to dive into the depths of the Passage, they are playful animals but you really have to sneak up on them to see their soulful looks when you come into their personal playground.