After an incredible afternoon and evening of watching feeding behavior of humpback whales in Frederick Sound, in an area on the east side of Admiralty Island, the National Geographic Sea Lion made its way southeast toward our destination for the next morning’s activities. We were still in Frederick Sound, but approaching its southeastern most point, and a particular area called Ideal Cove. This was a Forest Service trailhead where there were options for an assortment of different hikes, even though we would all end up returning to the same landing site.
Just before arriving at or anchorage however, a large bull killer whale was spotted slowly swimming near a small island named Coney Island, right along our track-line to the wonderful destination of Ideal Cove. We were able to spend a short time watching this magnificent animal as it appeared, disappeared, and reappeared at the surface. Its movements were very slow and deliberate as it went about its morning business. Even after we continued the very short distance to the anchorage, had breakfast, and got ready for our hikes, the “killer whale”, which is actually the largest of the dolphins, was sited from time-to-time surfacing not far from our ship!
So, right after breakfast the staff headed ashore, quickly followed by guests to start out on their adventures. The aerobic and long hikers came ashore first and quickly started up the trail, followed immediately by medium hikers, and then the short hikers. Even though it was raining, that did not spoil the enthusiasm of our intrepid adventuring! There was also a bush-whacking hike available this particular morning—this was not for the adults in the crowd, but for our young explorers, the kids that were on this family-oriented voyage!
Soon it was time to return to the National Geographic Sea Lion and start our repositioning toward beautiful Petersburg, a lovely town of about three thousand people, with its economy based on the commercial fishing industry. So, just as lunch was finishing we entered the harbor, and the bridge slowly did a wonderful job of backing the National Geographic Sea Lion into its birth on the dock. A delicate task, in very close quarters!
Once the ship was tied-off and prepared for disembarkation, we headed out to enjoy the town, ride bicycles, go for dock-walks, and explore the unique bog habitat on the neighboring island of Kupreanof. Luckily, as the day went on the weather improved greatly, making for a lovely afternoon in this real working Alaska town!
But all good things must end, so just as we dove into our Dungeness crab dinner feast, the National Geographic Sea Lion pulled away from the dock and headed back into Frederick Sound, slowly making our way toward the adventures that lay ahead of us tomorrow!
