eco vacations

Treasured creatures of the sea

Last year when I was in the Galapagos, one of the highlights of this extraordinary wildlife adventure was a chance to snorkel with Pacific green sea turtles.

They are exquisitely graceful creatures, flapping gently beneath the waves in search of food, their wizened faces close enough at times to touch — although we didn’t, of course.

When I was growing up in damp western Washington, I remember many occasions where my dad insisted we kids leave the TV and spend time outside. It may have been gray and drizzly, but he knew there was something valuable about fresh air and green spaces. I usually didn’t need much convincing. I have fond memories of long walks in the woods with my dog, riding my bike and watching waves roll in to the beach on Puget Sound.