Red Bluff Bay – Lake Eva
One of the small joys a resident of Southeast Alaska takes great pleasure in is the simple act of putting on sunglasses because they are needed. Today, we needed sunglasses. YEA!!! Early morning, pre-breakfast found us in one of Alaska’s more stunningly scenic fjords, Red Bluff Bay. A narrow, twisting fjord bounded by soaring granite cliffs cloaked with the lush green of the Pacific coastal rainforest, Red Bluff Bay has provided safe harbor for many years for fishermen, pleasure boaters, and once for native seal hunting parties. South Baranof Island boasts the most prodigious rainfall in Southeast Alaska, exceeding 200 inches yearly in some areas. Not today! The day dawned sunny, clear, and glorious. We gathered on outside decks, basking in sunshine and marveling at the scenery, especially the impressive waterfall brawling off the cliff walls. Finally, several Alaskan coastal brown bears foraged and cavorted near the estuary at the end of the fjord for our viewing pleasure.
A bank of fog hovering at the waterline blotted out the magnificent scenery during breakfast, but the sun soon burned most of it away and whales were spotted in the distance. Soon, we were close and humpback whales delighted us with a magnificent pre-lunch display of typical summer feeding behavior. The sound of camera clicks accompanied each sounding dive as broad tail flukes flashed in the morning sun!
The Pacific Northwest people have lived in harmony with the land on the Pacific Northwest coast for perhaps eight thousand years or more. Theirs was a culture every bit as sophisticated as that of the Maya’s, Inca’s, or Aztec’s, but where those cultures have long disappeared, the Pacific Northwest Coast culture has endured and is thriving today. Our naturalist and renowned artist David Stephens, whose art passionately focuses on Pacific Northwest Native styles, spoke eloquently of the culture, the art, and the lifestyle. Utilizing personal experiences and his own artwork, David helped us to more fully understand and appreciate this unique and visually stunning art as well as the culture of the Native peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
The afternoon found us now on north Baranof Island anchored for kayaking and hiking. The warm sunshine beckoned, and kayakers paddled the estuary and in and around the small islets as hikers set off for a lovely mountain tarn, Lake Eva. Kayakers enjoyed the quiet, the calm, and the scenery as well as bald eagles and harbor seals. Hikers delighted in a brisk walk along a cascading river bordered by wildflowers and enormous stately Sitka spruce, western hemlock, and yellow cedar many hundreds of years old.
The sun, the great wildlife viewing, and the splendid day energized conversation at evening social hour. Re-cap began with John being crowned with a silver bow by Haley and Isabel! After John spoke of salmon, Sharon narrated a fascinating history of glass trade beads, particularly those commonly traded during the Russian era in Alaska. Dinner was outstanding as always, featuring Alaskan halibut. The “global market” followed dinner with Anna Marie featuring unique and lovely art items.
How to end a perfect day? A glorious sunset accompanied by a magnificent humpback whale show!
