George Island, Inian Islands, Point Adolphus
After rocking and rolling in the early morning hours, we anchored in Granite Cove off of George Island for a morning of exploring. During World War II, fear of a Japanese invasion of the United States resulted in remote island military lookouts throughout the state of Alaska. George Island is home to the only intact 6 inch gun acquired from a WWI French Frigate and the remains of the infrastructure needed for the maintenance of troops on the island. Hikers ambled through the forest, uncovering history and discovering scenic vistas, all while getting a little exercise. This morning offered the most challenging, yet one of the most rewarding sea kayaking experiences this trip. Paddlers braved the swells for a view of an arch formed by the eroding action of the waves and then explored the vertical intertidal of the steep banks. After returning to the beach, the low tide afforded us excellent tide pooling opportunities and a chance to appreciate the local geologic specialty, granite embedded with garnets.
In the early afternoon, Mary Joe Lordwild, a local resident of Elfin Cove, introduced her home community and welcomed us to walk the boardwalks connecting the homes, businesses, and harbor of this small Alaska fishing town. After our return from town, shopping bags strewn over our arms, we indulged ourselves with ice cream sundaes and naps before arriving at our next destination, the Inian Islands. Steller sea lions are gregarious by nature and today we discovered how playful these pinnipeds can be, even towards humans in their rubber boats. Whether hauled out on the small rocky island or fishing in the turbulent waters formed by the influx of water from Cross Sound converging with the water from the channels between the islands, the immature Steller sea lions provided hours of entertainment. Out of the main channel, around the kelp beds, we spotted a mother sea otter with her pup afloat on her chest.
Following dinner, off of Point Adolphus, we observed groups of feeding humpback whales. In the distance, a humpback breach elicited awe from all on board. We departed the whales as darkness came upon us and we went to bed tired and content with the fullness of a day in Southeast Alaska.
After rocking and rolling in the early morning hours, we anchored in Granite Cove off of George Island for a morning of exploring. During World War II, fear of a Japanese invasion of the United States resulted in remote island military lookouts throughout the state of Alaska. George Island is home to the only intact 6 inch gun acquired from a WWI French Frigate and the remains of the infrastructure needed for the maintenance of troops on the island. Hikers ambled through the forest, uncovering history and discovering scenic vistas, all while getting a little exercise. This morning offered the most challenging, yet one of the most rewarding sea kayaking experiences this trip. Paddlers braved the swells for a view of an arch formed by the eroding action of the waves and then explored the vertical intertidal of the steep banks. After returning to the beach, the low tide afforded us excellent tide pooling opportunities and a chance to appreciate the local geologic specialty, granite embedded with garnets.
In the early afternoon, Mary Joe Lordwild, a local resident of Elfin Cove, introduced her home community and welcomed us to walk the boardwalks connecting the homes, businesses, and harbor of this small Alaska fishing town. After our return from town, shopping bags strewn over our arms, we indulged ourselves with ice cream sundaes and naps before arriving at our next destination, the Inian Islands. Steller sea lions are gregarious by nature and today we discovered how playful these pinnipeds can be, even towards humans in their rubber boats. Whether hauled out on the small rocky island or fishing in the turbulent waters formed by the influx of water from Cross Sound converging with the water from the channels between the islands, the immature Steller sea lions provided hours of entertainment. Out of the main channel, around the kelp beds, we spotted a mother sea otter with her pup afloat on her chest.
Following dinner, off of Point Adolphus, we observed groups of feeding humpback whales. In the distance, a humpback breach elicited awe from all on board. We departed the whales as darkness came upon us and we went to bed tired and content with the fullness of a day in Southeast Alaska.
