The following story is a great reminder to always look back (unless you're running for your life I suppose). You never know what you might otherwise miss. Thanks to Beth Redman for submitting this:
I hiked the estuary loop at Sitka Sedge today. They had fixed the trail that had been closed since last fall, and I am happy it is now open. I hung out at the bench at the estuary, watching for possible eagles. A young eagle, a juvenile but old enough to have a white head, had got real close to me the year before at that same spot. Then I hiked onward to the beach.
Feeling light and happy I found a nice log just within the dunes watching the waves, hoping I might catch a glimpse of the migrating gray whales on their journey northward. Before long, it was time to go. I started hiking out, before my intuition told me I should take one last look at the ocean. I took off my pack and set it down in the sand.
I was immensely rewarded to see the blow of a whale! Getting out binoculars, I kept looking. Then I saw more gray whales in the same location! I confirmed these were indeed whales, at least two, as I was lucky enough to see the fins!
I will always remember to take one last look whenever I return to this magical spot.