Petersburg, Alaska
"Often I think of the beautiful town that is seated by the sea; Often in thought go up and down the pleasant streets of that dear old town, and my youth comes back to me." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Our second day aboard the Sea Lion saw us exploring the icy waters of LeConte Bay and the friendly fishing community of Petersburg. We awoke to gray mists floating along the steep forested mountainsides of Frederick Sound and blue icebergs, bergy-bits, and growlers bobbing in the turquoise waters of LeConte Bay. Bundling up after breakfast we donned our life-vests and set off in our Zodiacs to tour beyond the old terminal moraine of the LeConte Glacier - the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. Though the glacier itself was unapproachable due to the enormity of ice calving off its face (due to its present state of rapid retreat), we traveled amongst giant floating ice sculptures awed by their size, texture and enchanting blue hues. Some of us even sampled chips of this ancient ice. Eagles, gulls, marbled murrelets, and harbor seals only added to this picturesque perusal of the placid waters.
While the ship headed northwest towards the community of Petersburg one of our naturalists - Iliana Ortega - presented us with a slide lecture on some of the cetaceans of the region. Then, after lunch, it was time to disembark in Petersburg for a variety of activities.
Established in 1897, Petersburg is situated on the northern tip of Mitkof Island. With a population of some 2,500 people, this small scenic fishing community is an ideal place to experience life in Southeast Alaska. Here, some of us headed across the Wrangel Narrows to hike the forests and bogs of Kupreanov Island. Others took a tour of the docks to learn about the various fisheries and fishing boats that comprise such an important part of the region's - and Alaska's - economy. Other groups took to the air, either by floatplane or helicopter, to gain an aerial perspective of the glaciers flowing down from the Stikine Icefield. All had a chance to walk the pleasant streets of this beautiful town seated by the sea.
Evening time saw the Sea Lion cruising the waters of Frederick Sound in search of serenity, sea life, and safe passage to our next destination.
"Often I think of the beautiful town that is seated by the sea; Often in thought go up and down the pleasant streets of that dear old town, and my youth comes back to me." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Our second day aboard the Sea Lion saw us exploring the icy waters of LeConte Bay and the friendly fishing community of Petersburg. We awoke to gray mists floating along the steep forested mountainsides of Frederick Sound and blue icebergs, bergy-bits, and growlers bobbing in the turquoise waters of LeConte Bay. Bundling up after breakfast we donned our life-vests and set off in our Zodiacs to tour beyond the old terminal moraine of the LeConte Glacier - the southernmost tidewater glacier in North America. Though the glacier itself was unapproachable due to the enormity of ice calving off its face (due to its present state of rapid retreat), we traveled amongst giant floating ice sculptures awed by their size, texture and enchanting blue hues. Some of us even sampled chips of this ancient ice. Eagles, gulls, marbled murrelets, and harbor seals only added to this picturesque perusal of the placid waters.
While the ship headed northwest towards the community of Petersburg one of our naturalists - Iliana Ortega - presented us with a slide lecture on some of the cetaceans of the region. Then, after lunch, it was time to disembark in Petersburg for a variety of activities.
Established in 1897, Petersburg is situated on the northern tip of Mitkof Island. With a population of some 2,500 people, this small scenic fishing community is an ideal place to experience life in Southeast Alaska. Here, some of us headed across the Wrangel Narrows to hike the forests and bogs of Kupreanov Island. Others took a tour of the docks to learn about the various fisheries and fishing boats that comprise such an important part of the region's - and Alaska's - economy. Other groups took to the air, either by floatplane or helicopter, to gain an aerial perspective of the glaciers flowing down from the Stikine Icefield. All had a chance to walk the pleasant streets of this beautiful town seated by the sea.
Evening time saw the Sea Lion cruising the waters of Frederick Sound in search of serenity, sea life, and safe passage to our next destination.
