Today’s destination aboard National Geographic Sea Bird was Haines, Alaska, a small town on the northwestern shore of Lynn Canal. We rose earlier than usual to partake in the many activities available: flightseeing, hiking Mt. Riley, bicycling along the Lukat Channel, and rafting the massive Chilkat River. We also visited the tiny Tlingit village of Klukwan, where we were treated to songs and dance that originated from time immemorial. As we floated down the beautiful Chilkat during our rafting excursion, we marveled at the humbling mountains and peaks, the tumultuous waterfalls and landslides, and the endless flow of water that is home to coho and sockeye salmon, bald eagles, mountain goats, red-tailed hawks, and of course, brown bears.