Ideal Cove and Petersburg
After traveling southwest all evening, we went ashore this morning at Ideal Cove on Mitkoff Island. Here a plank boardwalk led through stunning temperate rainforest. After a heavy rain in the night, the forest was dripping and vibrant. Moss covered nearly every surface, from the spongy ground to the towering Sitka Spruce. The trail led up to a series of lakes, one home to a beaver. Lining the shore was a sedge meadow filled with orchids and other flowers. Various berries including salmonberry, blueberry, and five-leaved bramble filled our bellies. Returning along the tannin filled stream we returned to National Geographic Sea Lion before lunch. Here, we were met by a special guest in Dr. Fred Sharpe of the Alaska Whale Foundation. He shared with us his amazing research on Humpback Whales, especially the amazing bubble net feeding that we enjoyed earlier in the voyage.
After lunch we enjoyed visiting the small town of Petersburg. A wonderful little fishing port, we scattered in many directions to enjoy this spot. Much of the fleet was in, so many of us wandered the docks learning about different kinds of fishing and their ecological impacts. Under the dock, the rich life living in the harbor was a welcome surprise. Others took to bikes to venture out a bit further. Petersburg has a beautiful shoreline with a few beaches, and even a local salmon stream with a few pinks still spawning. Some of us enjoyed the shopping opportunities, with a few people returning with the best in Alaskan footwear, new Xtratuff boots!
As we sailed away from the dock during our Dungeness crab feast, some gorgeous sun rays burst through the clouds as we headed north towards another adventure tomorrow.
