Tracy Arm & Williams Cove
The National Geographic Sea Bird entered the mouth of Holkham Bay early this morning, and began the journey up Tracy Arm on our way towards the Sawyer and South Sawyer glaciers at the head. Many people who have visited this area of Southeast Alaska count it as one of their favorite places in the world. Upon awakening here today it’s easy to see why: spectacular 2000-foot-high walls, gorgeous green 500-foot-deep glacial sea-water, crisp fresh air, and today – ice, ice everywhere. Our captain masterfully maneuvered the vessel through a wide array of colors, shapes and sizes of ice that had calved and floated down the fjord. Upon reaching Sawyer Island the crew dropped Zodiacs into the water and we tumbled from our cabins dressed like kids on a winter day to push our way still further through the ice. The sun peeked out through the thinly veiled sky, highlighting some of the bluer hues. Sharp eyes found mountain goats chomping grass high along the cliff face. Arctic terns flew back and forth in this magical crystalline world.
We spent the better part of the afternoon retracing our path back down the fjord. Lunch was eaten, naps were taken, and scenic strolls on the deck were rewarded with many waterfalls spilling over the sides of cliffs, and our first brief sighting of a black bear. The ship paused and nosed her bow right up to the face of Hole in the Wall Waterfall, dousing our National Geographic guide, Casey Anderson. Late in the afternoon we anchored in Williams Cove and went ashore for our first hikes in the temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska. Naturalists began to teach us about this amazingly rich ecosystem as we trudged our way along bear trails in our rubber boots.
Nestled back onto our home for the week, we are gathering for our first recap, mouth-watering appetizers, and anticipating another delicious dinner. What a wonderful first day of our voyage!
