Inian Islands & George Island
Gloom and gray were the words of the morning when we first awoke in Icy Strait. The backdrop was uniform gray, like an early daguerreotype of stunning scenery. An early wakeup to a breaching humpback whale changed the mood instantaneously and increased our excitement about the day to come. Our early morning location, Pt. Adolphus, is a magnificent place in the summer. Incredibly nutrient-rich water exits Glacier Bay National Park and brings abundant food to this point of land, which juts out into Icy Strait. Humpback whales are frequently spotted here, feeding on the bounty of small, marine organisms present.
The mercurial Southeast Alaska weather necessitated that we hop into our rain gear and boots for the morning activities. Bundled in layers of wool, fleece, and Gortex, we climbed into the Zodiacs for a tour of the Inian Islands. Steller’s sea lions, tufted puffins, and sea otters were a few of the creatures that found their way into the viewfinders of our cameras. The cold and rain should have been a deterrent, but everyone was anxious to have an up-close encounter with the inquisitive pinnipeds. They approached the Zodiacs in droves, allowing us to witness not only their acrobatic prowess, but their grace in the water.
The afternoon brought us to an anchorage in Granite Cove, on George Island. The seas were calm and we kayaked along the coast, enjoying sea stars, anemones, and a beautiful rock arch. We hiked through the coastal temperate rainforest and experienced a taste of what must have been experienced by the soldiers stationed here during WWII. Iliana and Marca lead explorations of the island’s tidepools, while Eza, Rich, and Scott guided our boot-sporting hikers along the trail to the gun emplacement.
We concluded the day with a short visit to Idaho Inlet, cruising past a small raft of fuzzy sea otters. It has been a memorable second day on an already fantastic expedition!
Gloom and gray were the words of the morning when we first awoke in Icy Strait. The backdrop was uniform gray, like an early daguerreotype of stunning scenery. An early wakeup to a breaching humpback whale changed the mood instantaneously and increased our excitement about the day to come. Our early morning location, Pt. Adolphus, is a magnificent place in the summer. Incredibly nutrient-rich water exits Glacier Bay National Park and brings abundant food to this point of land, which juts out into Icy Strait. Humpback whales are frequently spotted here, feeding on the bounty of small, marine organisms present.
The mercurial Southeast Alaska weather necessitated that we hop into our rain gear and boots for the morning activities. Bundled in layers of wool, fleece, and Gortex, we climbed into the Zodiacs for a tour of the Inian Islands. Steller’s sea lions, tufted puffins, and sea otters were a few of the creatures that found their way into the viewfinders of our cameras. The cold and rain should have been a deterrent, but everyone was anxious to have an up-close encounter with the inquisitive pinnipeds. They approached the Zodiacs in droves, allowing us to witness not only their acrobatic prowess, but their grace in the water.
The afternoon brought us to an anchorage in Granite Cove, on George Island. The seas were calm and we kayaked along the coast, enjoying sea stars, anemones, and a beautiful rock arch. We hiked through the coastal temperate rainforest and experienced a taste of what must have been experienced by the soldiers stationed here during WWII. Iliana and Marca lead explorations of the island’s tidepools, while Eza, Rich, and Scott guided our boot-sporting hikers along the trail to the gun emplacement.
We concluded the day with a short visit to Idaho Inlet, cruising past a small raft of fuzzy sea otters. It has been a memorable second day on an already fantastic expedition!
