We awoke as the National Geographic Sea Lion was on approach to George Island which is as far west as this Alaskan itinerary heads. This is always an interesting destination because it allows a look out into the open ocean, where in a land of fjords and Islands, is quite rare. The most unique feature of George Island is the naval pedestal gun that weighs 18 tons, has a 6 inch barrel and at one time discharged 105 pound shells. It was put in place August of 1942 along with some 20mm anti-aircraft guns. It was decommissioned soon after, but the rusty colossal weapon still stands to remind us of WWII. A protected pebble beach served as a perfect launching point for hikes and kayak adventures. The hike to the canon meanders through a stunningly beautiful forest with various mosses, fungus, plant life and curious geological features.
The second half of the morning provided an opportunity to land two expedition landing crafts at the float dock of Elfin Cove, a shockingly small fishing community. The town is linked by a wooden boardwalk and surrounded by multiple docks, which accommodate all the fishing vessels and visiting craft. When it comes to population, the seasonal fluctuation is tremendous, a couple hundred summer time residents to just around 10-12 permanent winter residents. All who ventured into town enjoyed the main boardwalk, scenery and local shops.
The highlight of the day undoubtedly was the two rounds of inflatable boat cruises through the biologically abundant waters of the Inian Islands. This is repeatedly a staff, crew and guest favorite for the consistently impressive wildlife encounters. Tidal fluctuations here result in strong currents and up-welling, which bring multitudes of fish close to the surface. The disrupted fish attract hundreds of Stellar sea lions and sea birds to the area. Harbor seals, bald eagles and over 10 adorable sea otters were amongst the wildlife encountered today.
