Thomas Bay, Cascade Creek & Petersburg
This morning we awoke to gray skies, but beautifully calm conditions and misty clouds hanging over the hillsides. As we prepared to do our morning landing at Cascade Creek, liquid sunshine started falling, which added another dimension to our hikes. Suited up in our best rain gear and boots, we headed out on the trail, and very soon reached a spectacular waterfall. After taking a number of photos of the cascading waters, we continued up the steep (and by then very wet) trail, to a bridge over the roaring creek. The moderate hikers continued on a little while past the bridge, while the fast hike climbed and scrambled much further along the steep and muddy trail. After all the hikes returned to the landing, we called for the Zodiacs and soon were back on board and on our way to Petersburg. Shortly after leaving our anchorage, Professor Ron Smith presented another very interesting talk, this one on “global warming”.
As we finished our lunch, the National Geographic Sea Bird arrived in Petersburg, and we watched as the captain navigated into a very tight spot, and finally alongside the dock. Almost immediately, the first “flight seers” left to board a float plane that would take them on a scenic flight over glaciers and around mountain peaks. Several other groups would follow throughout the afternoon, and all had an excellent experience. While that was going on, many of us took the time to walk or take bikes and explore this lovely fishing town on Mitkof Island. Still others followed our naturalists across Wrangell Narrows, to a board walk trail that led us through a “bog” or “muskeg”, another new habitat to discover and explore! After everyone was back on board, we were treated to a short talk from Andy Szabo, who works with the Alaska Whale Foundation. This was very informative, with some of the most up to date information on the Humpback whales of Southeast Alaska. We soon were on our way into Frederick Sound, and during dinner there was sun shining on some of the big peaks in the area. As dinner was ending and all the guests headed to the lounge for a dessert of cheesecake, we got word from the Expedition Leader that there was a beautiful sunset ahead of us. Everyone, with cameras in tow, suddenly appeared on the bow and many images of this magnificent sunset sky were recorded. A great finish to another wonderful day in paradise!
This morning we awoke to gray skies, but beautifully calm conditions and misty clouds hanging over the hillsides. As we prepared to do our morning landing at Cascade Creek, liquid sunshine started falling, which added another dimension to our hikes. Suited up in our best rain gear and boots, we headed out on the trail, and very soon reached a spectacular waterfall. After taking a number of photos of the cascading waters, we continued up the steep (and by then very wet) trail, to a bridge over the roaring creek. The moderate hikers continued on a little while past the bridge, while the fast hike climbed and scrambled much further along the steep and muddy trail. After all the hikes returned to the landing, we called for the Zodiacs and soon were back on board and on our way to Petersburg. Shortly after leaving our anchorage, Professor Ron Smith presented another very interesting talk, this one on “global warming”.
As we finished our lunch, the National Geographic Sea Bird arrived in Petersburg, and we watched as the captain navigated into a very tight spot, and finally alongside the dock. Almost immediately, the first “flight seers” left to board a float plane that would take them on a scenic flight over glaciers and around mountain peaks. Several other groups would follow throughout the afternoon, and all had an excellent experience. While that was going on, many of us took the time to walk or take bikes and explore this lovely fishing town on Mitkof Island. Still others followed our naturalists across Wrangell Narrows, to a board walk trail that led us through a “bog” or “muskeg”, another new habitat to discover and explore! After everyone was back on board, we were treated to a short talk from Andy Szabo, who works with the Alaska Whale Foundation. This was very informative, with some of the most up to date information on the Humpback whales of Southeast Alaska. We soon were on our way into Frederick Sound, and during dinner there was sun shining on some of the big peaks in the area. As dinner was ending and all the guests headed to the lounge for a dessert of cheesecake, we got word from the Expedition Leader that there was a beautiful sunset ahead of us. Everyone, with cameras in tow, suddenly appeared on the bow and many images of this magnificent sunset sky were recorded. A great finish to another wonderful day in paradise!
