After cruising through Chatham Strait last night, the National Geographic Sea Lion turned into Hanus Bay this morning, and anchored off Baranof Island near the mouth of a river that descends from Lake Eva. We got to experience typical southeast Alaskan June weather this morning…mist, clouds and sprinkling light rain, temperature 53 degrees Fahrenheit. We sorted ourselves into various walks along a US Forest Service well-maintained gravel trail along the river and leading into beautiful forest with lush understory of mosses and ferns. There were signs of bear, deer, squirrel and beaver. We heard and saw many birds, including half a dozen eagles in the trees along the river. Long walkers made it up to Lake Eva amidst a grove of old-growth Sitka Spruce trees, and went up a more rugged mud-and-roots trail that continues around the lake towards a cabin on the far side. The air felt fresh and alive.
In the afternoon we began making our way towards Sitka. The rain continued and we spent some time indoors in the lounge, first with a presentation by our National Geographic photographer, and later by a board member of the Alaska Whale Foundation. As we were preparing for evening cocktails, the ship slowed down…the Captain had spotted a deer foraging along the shoreline. Turns out there was also a bear further up in the grasses. Rain gear on and cameras/binoculars in hand, we headed for the bow for a look at another beautiful coastal brown bear. Wispy mists drifted among the spruce- and hemlock-dense mountains. Light rain drops created mesmerizing circular designs on the rippled surface of the water, peach-colored jellies pulsated just beneath, and white buoys marked crab pots descending deeper down.
Soon we will gather in the lounge for cocktails and final recap, and then adjourn to the dining room for our Captain’s Farewell dinner. What an amazing week this has been in rich and majestic Southeast Alaska!
