How do glaciers flow? What is the meaning of totem poles? What is an eagle’s nest like?

You can get answers to these questions with a Google search. But how much more satisfying and enriching is it to learn about glaciers as huge chunks thunderously calve into the ocean? How much more impressive is the eagle when you watch one soar and then see an exhibit with an actual nest, first from a distance below and then up close at eye level? How much more understanding of native life do you get from walking among totems, old and new, ducking into a recreation of a lodgehouse and hearing interpretations of totem stories from a native artist who carves them?

Nothing replaces being there. For me, this is one of the best things about travel and these were highlights of our Alaska cruise. Sure, the food, entertainment and relaxation were fun. But the experiences in interesting places really push the experience over the top.

Yes, you can read on Wikipedia that bald eagles a monogamous and continuously add on to their nest like a homeowner with a good equity line.

Don’t get me wrong, I love words. And the descriptive language of a good author can put your mind in the scene. In his novel “Alaska” James Michener related his epic through colorful characters and detailed description of the landscape. His words guided me in painting my own mental picture. National Geographic pictures showed me what it looked like. But stepping onto the soil and walking a trail in a hardwood forest closed the loop.