Chichagof Island
I knew I would not be alone in my happiness when I emerged from my cabin to a welcome sight—patches of blue sky (okay, maybe more like light gray), silvery shafts of sunlight splitting the clouds and not a raindrop to be seen. There was ample evidence over the last two days that this really is a rainforest, and thank goodness for it—without the omnipresent Alaskan liquid sunshine this landscape would not support the richness and density of life that it does. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to wake up to a precipitation-free morning.
We set out after a hearty breakfast to explore the west coast of Chichagof Island. Many of us were treated to an extended sighting of a foraging brown bear as we watched from a safe distance on shore or in our kayaks. This individual tried somewhat half-heartedly to find salmon ascending the falls leading to a picturesque lake a short way upstream, but since there were not many to be had just yet, it set about grazing on the tall grasses between the water’s edge and the forest margin. After having its fill, it disappeared into the alders, sure to return when more fish arrive.
After lunch and a presentation about local Native culture, we again went ashore to hike along an old logging road. Invigorated by the air, the exercise and the camaraderie, we returned to the vessel to enjoy the Captain’s farewell party, sad to know that tomorrow we would part ways, yet gratified that places like this still remain in all their glory—rain or shine.
I knew I would not be alone in my happiness when I emerged from my cabin to a welcome sight—patches of blue sky (okay, maybe more like light gray), silvery shafts of sunlight splitting the clouds and not a raindrop to be seen. There was ample evidence over the last two days that this really is a rainforest, and thank goodness for it—without the omnipresent Alaskan liquid sunshine this landscape would not support the richness and density of life that it does. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure to wake up to a precipitation-free morning.
We set out after a hearty breakfast to explore the west coast of Chichagof Island. Many of us were treated to an extended sighting of a foraging brown bear as we watched from a safe distance on shore or in our kayaks. This individual tried somewhat half-heartedly to find salmon ascending the falls leading to a picturesque lake a short way upstream, but since there were not many to be had just yet, it set about grazing on the tall grasses between the water’s edge and the forest margin. After having its fill, it disappeared into the alders, sure to return when more fish arrive.
After lunch and a presentation about local Native culture, we again went ashore to hike along an old logging road. Invigorated by the air, the exercise and the camaraderie, we returned to the vessel to enjoy the Captain’s farewell party, sad to know that tomorrow we would part ways, yet gratified that places like this still remain in all their glory—rain or shine.
