Inian Islands, 5/17/2019, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Alaska
We woke to dense fog at our morning in the Hobbit Hole and made our way to the anchorage in South Inian Pass. This was followed by a briefing on protocols for navigating in dense fog, including GPS and operating the some of the expedition watercraft in pairs.
In South Inian Pass we stopped to pay our respects to the crew of the Vagabond Queen at the old graffiti wall and then proceeded into the swirling currents that guard this amazing haven for wildlife.
Jeff Campbell fell in love with the ocean while attending boatbuilding school in Eastport, Maine. Since completing his MS in Marine and Estuarine Science at Western Washington University, he has worked for NOAA documenting the ecological impacts of t...
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Early this morning, National Geographic Sea Bird anchored inside a deep protected channel of Calvert Island. The morning hours brought a slip of light, as we were immersed in the customary weather of the Pacific Northwest…a constant spring drizzle. Our morning destination would be the Hakai Institute, which is dedicated to long-term scientific research of the coastal ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest. The research focuses on understanding the intricate relationships between land, sea, and human activity. Their studies include interdisciplinary research spanning marine biology, ecology, archaeology, and climate science. Their findings and research are open to the public and shared with local communities, including fifty different Indigenous nations. Their goal is the building of relationships and, as of this year, includes Lindblad Expeditions! 2024 marks the first year our entire fleet of American flagged ships will visit the Hakai Institute while traveling through the Inside Passage on their way to Southeast Alaska. After a morning of visiting the Institute and kayaking, we divided into several different levels of hikes and went out into the constant soft rain, enjoying the chance to explore Calvert Island, definitely a unique island along the Northwest Coast.
Today, National Geographic Sea Bird arrived at the Alert Bay dock on a still, quiet morning. We headed to shore to hike through the coastal temperate rainforest, admiring the many massive Western red cedars, known as the “tree of life” in the Pacific Northwest. We continued to explore a muskeg environment. Muskegs are unique ecosystems, housing plants with special adaptations to live in extreme bog conditions. In the afternoon, we headed to the U’mista Cultural Centre where we learned about the history and culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw people. The U’mista exhibits include regalia used in potlatch ceremonies which were banned in Canada between the 1880s and 1951. We also saw historical exhibits of First Nations art, traditions, and stories of what indigenous people have endured in the area. We then went to a cultural sharing at the ‘Namgis Big House where we experienced cultural dances and stories of the Kwakwaka'wakw people. Visiting the ‘Namgis Big House is a moving experience, emotional given the dark history, yet a joyful celebration of their resilience.
The first day of our Remarkable Journey started in Canadian waters. The morning weather, much like the embarkation day prior, was brisk and sunny. Stretch class with our wellness specialist, Lola, had the perfect view of snowcapped mountains painted by sunrise colors. The morning was spent cruising through Seymour Narrows, listening to presentations and searching for wildlife. Sharon Grainger, Naturalist and Cultural Specialist, gave an excellent talk on Northwest Coast people that was full of captivating stories, personal experience, and important information about indigenous peoples of the places we will visit throughout the voyage. Linda Burback, our certified photo instructor, held a workshop-style talk on smartphone photography. We finished the day with cocktail hour, our first recap, dinner, and a film in the forward lounge.