It was a brisk morning as we sailed through Wrangell Narrows. During breakfast, and shortly after cruising through Snow Pass, we had a brief visit from a humpback whale-a great way to start the day! We had smooth seas and spent the morning enjoying the view from the bow and learning about pinnipeds before our hopeful encounters with them in the days to come.
Shortly after lunch we found the National Geographic Sea Lion docked in the quaint town of Petersburg. Petersburg, known for its unique Norwegian heritage, was founded over 100 years ago by a Norwegian fisherman and is now one of Alaska’s top fishing communities. Though the population is barely over 3,000, we were not short of activities! Guests were able to take walks along the docks with the Undersea Specialist to explore the diverse sea life living beneath; the dock was lined with giant plumose anemones and other invertebrates, giving people a sneak-peek of the underwater world. This was also a great opportunity to learn about the different fishing techniques and boats that are so important to this community. We were even able to speak to a few local fishermen about their ships and fishing practices. With the clear sky and sunshine, a walk through the unique muskeg bog on Kupreanof Island across the channel was a popular activity. For those who were seeking more of an adrenaline rush, flight-seeing over LeConte glacier was an option. Some chose to stretch their legs and take a bike ride, while others chose to grab a hot drink and browse the local shops. With the still waters offering stellar reflections and a skilled photo team on-hand to offer advice, many peopled boarded the ship at the end of the day with a memory card full of great pictures.
As the evening winded down we sailed through Frederick Sound and had phenomenally clear views of Baird and Sawyer glaciers—seeing these glaciers got us excited about our ice-filled adventures tomorrow. And, of course, we couldn’t visit a fishing town without leaving with fresh seafood! We ended a wonderful day with fresh Alaskan salmon in our artichoke dip and an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast—bon appétit!
