Idaho Inlet, Elfin Cove
Early birds were treated to our first view of the sea otters; others poured out on deck when the announcement was made. The sea otters were resting in a large kelp bed, their fuzzy blond faces peered up at us as they lay on their backs, flipper feet waving in the air. One pair was spotted lying on a rock out of the water, a rare site in this part of the world. Many of the otters had a pup lying on their stomach, clutched in their mother’s arms. This endearing spectacle could have captivated us for hours but breakfast and more adventures beckoned.
After breakfast we moved a short distance to Idaho Inlet for a forest-bog hike and kayaking. The hikers climbed up a gravel beach, some sampling the delectable sea vegetables, especially the algae that is the constituent of nori. Then the hike proceeded over a lush flower meadow into the rainforest. Here we discovered an outstanding example of a brown bear trail in which each step of the bear falls precisely where earlier bears have trod leaving deep impressions in the moss that could be many years old (see photo). A bit further we examined a tree that had been scratched by bears as they left messages for one another as to who called by. Then on up a steep incline to a magical blanket bog.
The kayakers slid over the kelp and out onto flat seas. Some got very close to harbor seals. Others kayaked close to the rocky shore past constellations of sea stars. The freedom to travel as we wished, the misty snowy mountains in the distance, the gurgling songs of hermit thrushes, the cool, clean air, were all together unforgettable.
In the afternoon we dropped into Elfin Cove, a quaint fishing town of about 60 souls. A boardwalk led past houses, a museum, stores and strange looking, tall, outhouses. A peek inside showed they were smoke houses for salmon. We bought two very fresh king and a coho salmon for a hearty dinner tomorrow night.
Early birds were treated to our first view of the sea otters; others poured out on deck when the announcement was made. The sea otters were resting in a large kelp bed, their fuzzy blond faces peered up at us as they lay on their backs, flipper feet waving in the air. One pair was spotted lying on a rock out of the water, a rare site in this part of the world. Many of the otters had a pup lying on their stomach, clutched in their mother’s arms. This endearing spectacle could have captivated us for hours but breakfast and more adventures beckoned.
After breakfast we moved a short distance to Idaho Inlet for a forest-bog hike and kayaking. The hikers climbed up a gravel beach, some sampling the delectable sea vegetables, especially the algae that is the constituent of nori. Then the hike proceeded over a lush flower meadow into the rainforest. Here we discovered an outstanding example of a brown bear trail in which each step of the bear falls precisely where earlier bears have trod leaving deep impressions in the moss that could be many years old (see photo). A bit further we examined a tree that had been scratched by bears as they left messages for one another as to who called by. Then on up a steep incline to a magical blanket bog.
The kayakers slid over the kelp and out onto flat seas. Some got very close to harbor seals. Others kayaked close to the rocky shore past constellations of sea stars. The freedom to travel as we wished, the misty snowy mountains in the distance, the gurgling songs of hermit thrushes, the cool, clean air, were all together unforgettable.
In the afternoon we dropped into Elfin Cove, a quaint fishing town of about 60 souls. A boardwalk led past houses, a museum, stores and strange looking, tall, outhouses. A peek inside showed they were smoke houses for salmon. We bought two very fresh king and a coho salmon for a hearty dinner tomorrow night.
