Cascade Creek and Petersburg, Alaska
After cruising past the Baird’s Glacier and into the well-named Scenery Cove before breakfast, the National Geographic Sea Lion anchored near the mouth of Cascade Creek for our outing ashore. A trail parallels the stream past towering Sitka spruces and western hemlocks to a spectacular waterfall. Carpets of mosses, yellow skunk cabbages and even piles of moose droppings enhanced the landscape. Several groups of walkers chose to climb a very steep incline and continue to a sturdy wooden bridge that spanned a narrow chasm. It was humbling to stare down into the frothy cascade of churning water that raced below. After our return, the ship set sail for our afternoon destination of Petersburg.
This picturesque fishing town celebrates its Norwegian heritage every May 17th on Syttnde Mai, Norwegian Constitution Day, and we were lucky to arrive here as preparations were made for this festive occasion. The replica of a Viking ship, the Valhalla, was getting a good cleaning for the weekend parade. Although we didn’t really take part, special events today included Norwegian sweater modeling, a performance of the Pickled Herring Band, a Little Norway Art show and a softball tournament. Additional celebrations will last for the the next three days.
During our stay in this community of about 3,000 people, we had almost too many options. Those interested in the fishing industry and marine life wandered the docks to learn more about the different types of boats, as well as the colorful array of sea anemones, mussels, and other invertebrates just beneath the surface. A photo-walk in a scenic slough provided a great opportunity to discover more about possibilities and techniques. Hikers boarded Zodiacs for a short crossing from Mitkof to Kupreanof Island and then walked to a muskeg, or peat bog. Dwarfed pines and mountain hemlocks survive within this rolling fairyland where carnivorous sundews make their homes. In addition to all these activities, there was still plenty of time to explore town, visit the bookstore, ride bicycles, and go shopping.
A guest speaker, Dr. Andy Szabo, Director of the Alaska Whale Foundation, joined us and provided an insightful and fascinating presentation about humpback whales and the research that he and other scientists have conducted here in Southeast Alaska. By cocktail hour, Andy had disembarked and the ship maneuvered out of the crowded harbor to head south into Chatham Strait.
Dinner was served family-style with platters of tasty ribs and Dungeness crabs picked up in Petersburg. It was a fitting finale to another adventurous day in Southeast Alaska.
