One of the exciting things about travel is the opportunity to see -- and photograph -- places I have only read about or seen on TV.

When my friend and I went to Alaska for a few days, we wanted to go on a six-hour whale-watching/glacier-visiting cruise. We found one that promised it would be smooth sailing.

It wasn't.

The boat bounced and tossed us around for an agonizing seven and a half hour trip from Seward through the Gulf of Alaska, around fjords and glaciers. We chased a shy whale and saw a few inches of his back.

When I wasn't unconscious for an hour from seasickness (literally--waking up below deck with 60 minutes missing from your life is quite scary!) I was taking some interesting snapshots to bring back home. During one particularly rough spot, a rainbow appeared over the waves. My friend held on to me as I leaned over to capture the symbol that I would make it back to the wonderful place known as dry land.

Canon Elan II body, other data unrecorded.