We've just returned from the first ever Jorgenson-McFarlane family vacation, a two-day and one-night trip to the twin ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin. The exalted phrase, "family vacation," is really part of a successful advertising campaign undertaken by the elder Jorgensons, who wanted to persuade McFarlane, 6, that this short trip is a great treat. We saw the zoo and the aquarium in Duluth and went on a cruise of the harbor that shoved out from Barker's Island in Superior. All fine, but for me the whole reason for going is just to see the lake, the way the water and sky merge in a vast blank of gray. Everyone who reads Moby Dick must wonder what is going to happen when finally Ahab meets the great white whale--and feel bored, probably, wading through the several hundred pages of Melvillean prose that precede this showdown. My favorite moment, however, occurs before the Pequod has even gone out to sea. Ishmael boards in port for a job interview, and is asked by Peleg why he wants to go a-whaling.
"Well, sir, I want to see what whaling is," he answers. "I want to see the world." Peleg tells him to have a look out over the ship's weather bow. Ishmael complies, and
Going forward and glancing over the weather bow, I perceived that the ship swinging to her anchor with the flood-tide, was now obliquely pointing towards the open ocean. The prospect was unlimited, but exceedingly monotonous and forbidding; not the slightest variety that I could see.
"Well, what's the report?" said Peleg when I came back; "what did ye see?"
"Not much," I replied - "nothing but water; considerable horizon though, and there's a squall coming up, I think."
"Well, what dost thou think then of seeing the world? Do ye wish to go round Cape Horn to see any more of it, eh? Can't ye see the world where you stand?"
No. Had to go to Duluth.
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