The morning began with a thick fog running up the nearby mountains, a typical southeast Alaskan landscape. The National Geographic Sea Lion made its way into LeConte Bay, and guests were loaded into the small boats and sent off to explore the variety of free floating icebergs donated by the glacier. A low tide presented its own museum of frozen wonder as icebergs were either grounded or lifted up on dry land, sitting still for a time, in a unique melting moment. Guests watched as the icebergs bobbed and even broke off, swaying from side to side to discover their new equilibrium.
Loading everyone aboard, we headed north towards the fishing village of Petersburg. Steller sea lions loafed about on the incoming buoys, greeting us with their unmistakable calls. Tying to the dock, guests branched off to partake in a variety of adventures. Some chose to take to the skies for an aerial view of the surrounding peaks and glaciers, others tromped off into the muskeg to find hummingbirds and insect eating plants amongst the pillowed moss. Petersburg was explored to the fullest. Guests jumped on bikes to zoom about, while others browsed the local Norwegian heritage. Some found themselves at a local book sale at the library, and even reported a Sitka blacktail deer sighting within the town limits.
A tour of the docks gave the guests insight to the variety of styles and history of the local commercial fishery – exampling the different gear and strategies that the boats use in order to make their catch profitable. As the guests re-boarded, they were treated to cocktails and a recap highlighting the day, and soon after a dinner feast of Dungeness crab was served and enjoyed by all.
