Guests on National Geographic Venture awoke to a beautiful sunny day in front of Lake Eva on the northern end of Baranof Island. The mature forest of western hemlock flanked by Sitka spruce and alder provided a backdrop to the pebble beach and a stream from Lake Eva flowing down to the beach. Guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast as humpback whales swam near National Geographic Venture. After breakfast, guests disembarked for hikes along the beach and up the Lake Eva trail through the mature forest along the fast-flowing stream that flows from Lake Eva.
The hike toward Lake Eva was followed by a quick swim in the chilly water, which invigorated the brave among the group. After returning for a fine lunch on National Geographic Venture, the ship turned west into Peril Strait. We spent the afternoon watching whales from the ship as we entered the islands and narrow passages toward the final destination of the voyage, Sitka.
