This morning the National Geographic Sea Bird made her way through Frederick Sound, bringing us to Ideal Cove, one of the most scenic areas of the Tongass National Forest. Skies were overcast with mid 50-degree temperatures, flecks of blue peeking from behind the cloud cover, and rays of sun piercing through. We disembarked right after breakfast to explore the area via hikes and small boat cruises. Fast-paced walkers took to the trail first…it felt great to move our bodies and absorb the vibrant fresh air with all of our senses. At about the halfway point, the quick pace was contrasted by a period of silence and repose, before continuing on to complete the loop trail in a record two hours and ten minutes. Natural history walks of varying length and pace lent further understanding to the inter-relationships of this lush old-growth forest. Said Naturalist Bette Lu Krause, “It’s always such a joy to walk in an old-growth forest because there’s a rightness of being in an intact ecosystem that our body understands on a deeper level.”
After re-boarding, our young explorers piled into two expedition landing craft and took turns trying their hands at the helm. I was sitting near a window, and just saw the boats zipping back and forth leaving laughter in their wake. All returned safely back to the Mother Ship with tousled hair and big smiles.
After repositioning to another part of Mitkof Island, the National Geographic Sea Bird docked in the fishing town of Petersburg. Afternoon activities included walks and bikes around town; a dock walk to learn about commercial fishing, see some of the fleet, and look at amazing intertidal creatures; a bog walk across the channel at Kupreanof Island; and photo walk around town. Back onboard, we gathered once again in the lounge to recap our day and celebrate the abundance of sea life with a Dungeness Crab Feast. Yum!
