Today was not our first day in Alaska, but it was our first day immersed in Alaska as we had imagined it to be. This morning we were able to walk among the forest’s trees, paddle along the coastline in kayaks, and cruise the rugged landscape in Zodiacs to see the wildlife we had dreamed about before we arrived. It hardly seems possible that it all happened in one day, but it did. Somehow, it touched us—the water droplets clinging to the leaves and petals of a wildflower, the ancient footprints left by generations of bears, or the sound of the sea lions bellowing on their rocky perches. Whatever it was, we will no longer be the same.
7/18/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Freshwater Bay, Chichagof Island
This morning before breakfast, the bridge team of National Geographic Quest spotted orcas in Freshwater Bay. Eager to see this iconic whale species, the bow was quickly occupied by excited guests, staff, and crew. We could not have asked for better conditions. A sunny, calm morning with at least a dozen orcas! Wow! After breakfast we went ashore at Kennel Creek on Chichagof Island and split into aerobic, moderate, and casual walking groups. After yesterday’s wet forest at Fox Creek, we welcomed the firm, dry ground of an old logging road. Along our walks there were abundant signs of brown bears. One of the two aerobic walks had fresh bear tracks on top of their footprints upon their return. In the afternoon cruising down Chatham Strait, we enjoyed time on deck soaking up the sun when an eagle-eye naturalist spotted a group of humpbacks ten miles away! As we approached, we could see that this was no small group, as twenty-three whales were bubble net feeding! This day will long be imprinted in our memories of wild Alaska.
