George Island
The National Geographic Sea Lion left the entrance to Glacier Bay Park at approximately 11:00pm heading for our morning destination of Granite Cove. This tiny protected cove is located on George Island, which is situated on the outside of Cross Sound, a body of water that faces the swells of the Pacific Ocean. The deck crew dropped the anchor late in the evening and we were all rocked gently in small rolling swells for the remainder of the night.
Our wakeup call was filled with another day of blue skies, slight breezes and a chance for kayaking and hiking on George Island. The National Geographic Sea Lion was divided into two groups, and some headed out on the water in kayaks while others were ferried around the island in Zodiacs. After water activities were complete we all met on shore to explore this tiny outer coast island. A small group headed up to an old WWII lookout complete with remnants of a large artillery gun, while many of us chose to wander the lower part of this rather mountainous island looking for the ultimate, unusual and interesting macro photograph. Moving through the thin forest of spruce and hemlock we learned about the brief history of settlement on George Island. Remnants of that settlement were all around from storage areas dug into the rocky earth to foundations left from several small dwellings. Two groups moved across the island, to explore several secret beaches where, we were told there just might be a very early blooming patch of flowers. Radio calls were shared between naturalists, as the Purple saxifrage was scene first by binocular and then up close and personal. The granite rock cliffs were decorated with lovely patches of deep purple flowers, one of the most northern flowering plants found on the planet and here at a more southern location basking in the afternoon sun, and giving us a look at one of the first flowers of the S.E. Alaska season. Slowly we moved on to a set of tide pools along the beach, where an extremely low tide had exposed treasures left as the water retreated. A large glob of herring roe nestled in kelp, many snails, including several hermit crabs in a variety of snail shells, all pointing to rich and abundant cold waters of S.E. Alaska.
All to soon it was time to return to the National Geographic Sea Lion and enjoy another lunch while on our way to our afternoon destination. Heading away from our anchorage at George Island the First Mate, Rick Harris was heading towards South Inian Pass moving along the west side of the pass when one of the naturalists on the bow spotted Killer whales. The announcement went out ship wide and fairly rapidly the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion was filled with anxious observers. The Native peoples of the Northwest Coast call these the largest of dolphins “wolves of the sea” because of their hunting tactics and their ability to work as a team; and possibly because of their curiosity, which we all hoped would lead this group of about ten animals over for a closer look at the National Geographic Sea Lion. Skies were clear and blue with a stiff wind coming off the Pacific Ocean. Maneuvering the National Geographic Sea Lion was not easy for the deck staff but with communication from the bow to the bridge and back we were all able to remain in a position paralleling this group of Killer whales for several hours!
Our afternoon activities were changed, and for our last day of an extraordinary trip we were gifted with a chance to watch what appeared to be a group of resident Killer whales as they moved through Inian Pass and headed for better hunting grounds. Cross Sound is the northern entrance of Pacific Ocean waters heading into the inland water ways of the hundreds of islands and passage ways that make up southeast Alaska; often called a land of a 1,000 islands. A backdrop of snow capped mountains, bright glistening sun on water, the sound of Killer whale blows, several bird species in the sky; what a way to spend our last afternoon. The late Spring light stretched out our hours, as many of us remained on the bow watching the tall dorsal fins of two male Killer whales and their respective female relatives move gracefully through the water searching for sustenance in return giving many a guest on the National Geographic Sea Lion a beautiful last vision of this remarkable place called the Inside Passage.
The National Geographic Sea Lion left the entrance to Glacier Bay Park at approximately 11:00pm heading for our morning destination of Granite Cove. This tiny protected cove is located on George Island, which is situated on the outside of Cross Sound, a body of water that faces the swells of the Pacific Ocean. The deck crew dropped the anchor late in the evening and we were all rocked gently in small rolling swells for the remainder of the night.
Our wakeup call was filled with another day of blue skies, slight breezes and a chance for kayaking and hiking on George Island. The National Geographic Sea Lion was divided into two groups, and some headed out on the water in kayaks while others were ferried around the island in Zodiacs. After water activities were complete we all met on shore to explore this tiny outer coast island. A small group headed up to an old WWII lookout complete with remnants of a large artillery gun, while many of us chose to wander the lower part of this rather mountainous island looking for the ultimate, unusual and interesting macro photograph. Moving through the thin forest of spruce and hemlock we learned about the brief history of settlement on George Island. Remnants of that settlement were all around from storage areas dug into the rocky earth to foundations left from several small dwellings. Two groups moved across the island, to explore several secret beaches where, we were told there just might be a very early blooming patch of flowers. Radio calls were shared between naturalists, as the Purple saxifrage was scene first by binocular and then up close and personal. The granite rock cliffs were decorated with lovely patches of deep purple flowers, one of the most northern flowering plants found on the planet and here at a more southern location basking in the afternoon sun, and giving us a look at one of the first flowers of the S.E. Alaska season. Slowly we moved on to a set of tide pools along the beach, where an extremely low tide had exposed treasures left as the water retreated. A large glob of herring roe nestled in kelp, many snails, including several hermit crabs in a variety of snail shells, all pointing to rich and abundant cold waters of S.E. Alaska.
All to soon it was time to return to the National Geographic Sea Lion and enjoy another lunch while on our way to our afternoon destination. Heading away from our anchorage at George Island the First Mate, Rick Harris was heading towards South Inian Pass moving along the west side of the pass when one of the naturalists on the bow spotted Killer whales. The announcement went out ship wide and fairly rapidly the bow of the National Geographic Sea Lion was filled with anxious observers. The Native peoples of the Northwest Coast call these the largest of dolphins “wolves of the sea” because of their hunting tactics and their ability to work as a team; and possibly because of their curiosity, which we all hoped would lead this group of about ten animals over for a closer look at the National Geographic Sea Lion. Skies were clear and blue with a stiff wind coming off the Pacific Ocean. Maneuvering the National Geographic Sea Lion was not easy for the deck staff but with communication from the bow to the bridge and back we were all able to remain in a position paralleling this group of Killer whales for several hours!
Our afternoon activities were changed, and for our last day of an extraordinary trip we were gifted with a chance to watch what appeared to be a group of resident Killer whales as they moved through Inian Pass and headed for better hunting grounds. Cross Sound is the northern entrance of Pacific Ocean waters heading into the inland water ways of the hundreds of islands and passage ways that make up southeast Alaska; often called a land of a 1,000 islands. A backdrop of snow capped mountains, bright glistening sun on water, the sound of Killer whale blows, several bird species in the sky; what a way to spend our last afternoon. The late Spring light stretched out our hours, as many of us remained on the bow watching the tall dorsal fins of two male Killer whales and their respective female relatives move gracefully through the water searching for sustenance in return giving many a guest on the National Geographic Sea Lion a beautiful last vision of this remarkable place called the Inside Passage.
