Leconte Bay and Petersburg, Alaska
A beautiful summer day in Southeast Alaska began as the Sea Lion traveled across LeConte Glacier’s terminal moraine. We journeyed up bay as far as we could without getting trapped in the large amount of icebergs, floating their way down bay. To get a better look at the ice, we took to the Zodiacs and explored the area near LeConte Glacier. LeConte glacier is the southernmost active tidewater glacier in North America.
We were impressed by the color of the bergs, the immense size, the intense blue, the clearness, and even the apparent green underneath the surface of the water. Harbor seals who come to the protected waters to have their pups were spotted along the way. Many of the seals swam near checking us out, and then dropping underneath the surface when their shyness had taken over their bravery. We also took time to enjoy one of the many waterfalls cascading down the fjord walls.
In the early afternoon, we docked in Petersburg, Alaska, a small fishing community of 3060 people. Found at the northernmost end of Mitkof Island, Petersburg is known for its Norwegian heritage, and also harbors one of Alaska’s most prosperous fishing fleets. In fact, during the 1980’s Petersburg had the highest number of millionaires per capita in the United States. Today many fishing boats filled the harbor, some getting ready for their next set.
With an average rainfall of 110 inches, we experienced a much different Petersburg today. We enjoyed blue sky and a warm summer sun throughout the day. Many with us chose to walk throughout the quiet community, or along the boardwalk into a muskeg. Others took to the sky for a flightseeing opportunity, either by helicopter or float plane over the nearby ice fields. Yet some of the more adventurous went on a hike to the top of Petersburg Mountain, across Wrangell Narrows. We all made our way back to the ship for evening cocktails and recap. But the best treat of the day was the fresh Dungeness crab feed.
A beautiful summer day in Southeast Alaska began as the Sea Lion traveled across LeConte Glacier’s terminal moraine. We journeyed up bay as far as we could without getting trapped in the large amount of icebergs, floating their way down bay. To get a better look at the ice, we took to the Zodiacs and explored the area near LeConte Glacier. LeConte glacier is the southernmost active tidewater glacier in North America.
We were impressed by the color of the bergs, the immense size, the intense blue, the clearness, and even the apparent green underneath the surface of the water. Harbor seals who come to the protected waters to have their pups were spotted along the way. Many of the seals swam near checking us out, and then dropping underneath the surface when their shyness had taken over their bravery. We also took time to enjoy one of the many waterfalls cascading down the fjord walls.
In the early afternoon, we docked in Petersburg, Alaska, a small fishing community of 3060 people. Found at the northernmost end of Mitkof Island, Petersburg is known for its Norwegian heritage, and also harbors one of Alaska’s most prosperous fishing fleets. In fact, during the 1980’s Petersburg had the highest number of millionaires per capita in the United States. Today many fishing boats filled the harbor, some getting ready for their next set.
With an average rainfall of 110 inches, we experienced a much different Petersburg today. We enjoyed blue sky and a warm summer sun throughout the day. Many with us chose to walk throughout the quiet community, or along the boardwalk into a muskeg. Others took to the sky for a flightseeing opportunity, either by helicopter or float plane over the nearby ice fields. Yet some of the more adventurous went on a hike to the top of Petersburg Mountain, across Wrangell Narrows. We all made our way back to the ship for evening cocktails and recap. But the best treat of the day was the fresh Dungeness crab feed.
