The Boat Company is the brainchild of Michael and Winsome Mcintosh. Michael and Winsome have dedicated the McIntosh Foundation, their energy, time and hearts to educating people about the largest temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass Wilderness. Ed and I have been fortunate enough to travel with Michael and Winsome on the Mist Cove three times in the last four years. I believe the Boat Company is the only educational non-profit organization that uses this unique approach to raising conservation awareness by sending clients through the Tongass on their two boats, the Mist Cove and Liseron, for six glorious days of hiking, kayaking, whale watching and salmon fishing. The crew is committed to educating the passengers so they can spread the word of the beauty, fragility and importance of the old-growth forests and the amazing fishery provided by this part of our country. The relationship between the health of the forests and the health of the salmon population is best explained by seeing it first-hand. Honestly, a trip to the Tongass National Forest is life-changing and eye-opening. I cannot overstate the beauty, wildness and wonder of this national treasure. The Boat Company advertises itself as a "luxury eco-cruise", which it is; but the relationships built between the passengers and with the crew members make it so much more than just a cruise.
The boats are small, beautifully- appointed and comfortable. With only 24 passengers and half that many crew members, everyone becomes well-acquainted quickly. The food is gourmet, the staff is energetic and fun (without being cheesy), and every day is designed so that the passengers get to do any variety of activities. Every day is planned with each passenger's interests in mind. My husband is an avid fly-fisherman. The fishing, both spin-casting and fly-fishing, is phenomenal. I am a hiker. The nature hikes and talks are amazing. Although we have taken this trip three times, I still have hiked new places every year, seen sights I have never seen and learned new tidbits of geological, historical and natural lore that were completely unknown to me before. Ed and I love walking through the marshes, old-growth forests, along the coastline. We never miss the the chance to ride in a skiff up near a glacier to watch it calf. Kayaking in a cove, viewing huge, colorful sea stars, jelly fish, sea urchins and fish at the base of waterfalls is incredible. Whale-watching? Practically guaranteed. We ALWAYS see whales. Bears? Grizzlies are also viewed, though some years they are rather shy and elusive. The naturalists and guides are always on the alert for brown bear, and are well-trained to keep passengers out of harm's way. We have made lifelong friends with fellow passengers as we all share in the glorious beauty of "Southeast", as it is called by the locals. Yes, I am very high on The Boat Company.
Whether or not you are able or willing to explore the Tongass National Forest next summer, I hope you will read Salmon In The Trees, a collection of essays, photographs and audio that explains the Tongass and its amazing ecosystem far better than I ever could. Amy Gulick, whose photography illustrates the essays, has actually been a passenger on one of the Boat Company vessels. The book is beautiful, informative and worth having on your coffee table. Look it up, settle back and read it, and then book a trip to the Tongass with The Boat Company.
The boats are small, beautifully- appointed and comfortable. With only 24 passengers and half that many crew members, everyone becomes well-acquainted quickly. The food is gourmet, the staff is energetic and fun (without being cheesy), and every day is designed so that the passengers get to do any variety of activities. Every day is planned with each passenger's interests in mind. My husband is an avid fly-fisherman. The fishing, both spin-casting and fly-fishing, is phenomenal. I am a hiker. The nature hikes and talks are amazing. Although we have taken this trip three times, I still have hiked new places every year, seen sights I have never seen and learned new tidbits of geological, historical and natural lore that were completely unknown to me before. Ed and I love walking through the marshes, old-growth forests, along the coastline. We never miss the the chance to ride in a skiff up near a glacier to watch it calf. Kayaking in a cove, viewing huge, colorful sea stars, jelly fish, sea urchins and fish at the base of waterfalls is incredible. Whale-watching? Practically guaranteed. We ALWAYS see whales. Bears? Grizzlies are also viewed, though some years they are rather shy and elusive. The naturalists and guides are always on the alert for brown bear, and are well-trained to keep passengers out of harm's way. We have made lifelong friends with fellow passengers as we all share in the glorious beauty of "Southeast", as it is called by the locals. Yes, I am very high on The Boat Company.
Whether or not you are able or willing to explore the Tongass National Forest next summer, I hope you will read Salmon In The Trees, a collection of essays, photographs and audio that explains the Tongass and its amazing ecosystem far better than I ever could. Amy Gulick, whose photography illustrates the essays, has actually been a passenger on one of the Boat Company vessels. The book is beautiful, informative and worth having on your coffee table. Look it up, settle back and read it, and then book a trip to the Tongass with The Boat Company.
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