Frederick Sound & Petersburg
This morning we woke to overcast skies, but mirror-like conditions. We are in an area called Frederick Sound, a body of water at the south end of Stephen’s Passage, and situated between the southeast side of Admiralty Island, the mainland and Kupreanof Island. Our morning is to be spent exploring the area looking for wildlife, especially humpback whales and other marine mammals. This is another part of Southeast Alaska that is noted for large numbers of humpbacks through the summer months. We’re not disappointed, the morning wake-up includes an announcement of multiple whales in the vicinity, so grab a coat, coffee and camera and join us outside to view these wonderful creatures in almost ideal conditions. The part of the Sound that we are in has a number of small scenic islands, one of which is home to the Five Fingers Lighthouse, which makes for some good photo opportunities while we’re waiting for the whales to resurface from their dives.
Breakfast lures us inside as we turn and continue on our way toward Petersburg, and the afternoon activities that await there. Along the way we also see a number of Dall’s porpoise and northern sea lions, and of course more whales. To most everyone’s surprise, the overcast skies start to clear more and more as we make our way toward Petersburg. Just before arriving Jason Kelley gives us a wonderful and extremely informative lecture called “Ice & Glacial Landforms”. His presentation tells us how glaciers are formed and their dynamics, as well as how they have carved the lands of Southeast. Then it’s time for lunch!
Shortly after arriving we are clear to disembark, and the afternoon activities begin. The skies have almost totally cleared by now as the first “flightseeing” trips leave on the float planes that will take them over the Leconte Glacier and the fiord below. What a day for these flights! Not long after, the first of two rounds of hikes leaves along a boardwalk through a “bog” habitat, while some guests just take the time to stroll or ride bikes through the scenic community of Petersburg.
After our activities have ended, we board the ship and prepare for cocktail hour and a very special recap by our Hotel Manager concerning tonight’s dinner menu. It’s Dungeness crab and Judie gives us a very funny briefing about the “finer” ways and techniques to eat our featured dinner! Soon after, we will be underway to our next destination. What an incredible day!
This morning we woke to overcast skies, but mirror-like conditions. We are in an area called Frederick Sound, a body of water at the south end of Stephen’s Passage, and situated between the southeast side of Admiralty Island, the mainland and Kupreanof Island. Our morning is to be spent exploring the area looking for wildlife, especially humpback whales and other marine mammals. This is another part of Southeast Alaska that is noted for large numbers of humpbacks through the summer months. We’re not disappointed, the morning wake-up includes an announcement of multiple whales in the vicinity, so grab a coat, coffee and camera and join us outside to view these wonderful creatures in almost ideal conditions. The part of the Sound that we are in has a number of small scenic islands, one of which is home to the Five Fingers Lighthouse, which makes for some good photo opportunities while we’re waiting for the whales to resurface from their dives.
Breakfast lures us inside as we turn and continue on our way toward Petersburg, and the afternoon activities that await there. Along the way we also see a number of Dall’s porpoise and northern sea lions, and of course more whales. To most everyone’s surprise, the overcast skies start to clear more and more as we make our way toward Petersburg. Just before arriving Jason Kelley gives us a wonderful and extremely informative lecture called “Ice & Glacial Landforms”. His presentation tells us how glaciers are formed and their dynamics, as well as how they have carved the lands of Southeast. Then it’s time for lunch!
Shortly after arriving we are clear to disembark, and the afternoon activities begin. The skies have almost totally cleared by now as the first “flightseeing” trips leave on the float planes that will take them over the Leconte Glacier and the fiord below. What a day for these flights! Not long after, the first of two rounds of hikes leaves along a boardwalk through a “bog” habitat, while some guests just take the time to stroll or ride bikes through the scenic community of Petersburg.
After our activities have ended, we board the ship and prepare for cocktail hour and a very special recap by our Hotel Manager concerning tonight’s dinner menu. It’s Dungeness crab and Judie gives us a very funny briefing about the “finer” ways and techniques to eat our featured dinner! Soon after, we will be underway to our next destination. What an incredible day!
