From our Zodiacs, we watched as Steller sea lions and bald eagles fished in the currents. Sea otters with pups sheltered in the kelp beds. In the afternoon, the ship repositioned to Idaho Inlet, where guests explored the sheltered bay with stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Throughout the day, we could see the snowcapped Fairweather mountains to the north, providing a taste of what will come tomorrow when we sail into Glacier Bay National Park.
5/19/2022
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National Geographic Venture
Petersburg, Alaska
A rare, gorgeous morning greeted us at the small fishing town of Petersburg. Every finger of the harbor was crowded with fishing boats awaiting the opening of the fishing season. It was a joy to prowl up and down the harbor and admire the vessels that hail from various homeports. Well-groomed trails and boardwalks maintained by the U.S. Forest Service made for excellent hiking through an old growth forest comprised of spruce, hemlock, and even yellow cedar, a rare treasure in Southeast Alaska. The trail ended in a muskeg bog, a vital part of the ecosystem in southeast Alaska and home to a carnivorous plant known as a sundew. As if that wasn’t enough, we had bike tours that explored the Petersburg road system, and many of our guests enjoyed an unforgettable plane ride over the LeConte Glacier!
