After having a spectacular day in Glacier Bay National Park, with brown bears, mountain goats, a wolf fantastic scenery, and helping celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the National Park System, the National Geographic Sea Lion left on its way for tomorrow’s destination, Petersburg, Alaska. It’s quite a distance to cover between the two, so we left by six p.m., traveled all night and morning, finally arriving in Petersburg just before lunch time.
Luckily, the weather cooperated as we traversed through Frederick Sound, with warm temperatures, no wind and clearing skies! Along the way there was plenty of Humpback Whale activity in the area to keep us entertained. So, just as lunch was starting the Bridge Crew brought our sturdy vessel along-side the floating dock, tied off, and prepared for disembarkation.
Petersburg is a wonderful working community that relies almost exclusively on the fishing industry of Southeast Alaska. There are hundreds of fishing boats of every size, color and configuration tied up in their slips in several marinas along the waterfront area of this friendly town. Trawlers, purse-seiners, gill-netters, crabbers and long-liners create a mosaic of color and form, a visual feast for us visitors to behold! Having a very strong Norwegian heritage, there are plenty of reminders of this, and its history scattered around town, including the “Sons-of-Norway Hall”, a replica of a Viking ship, and plenty of Norwegian flags.
As soon as lunch finished, it was time to start the afternoon’s activities, which were quite varied in their scope and exercise level. First the guests that had signed up for the float plane Flight-seeing excursions headed off for an incredible aerial tour of the surrounding area. Then it was time for the first round of dock walks, muskeg walks and the aerobic walk to start. There was also a chance to tour the town on one of the bicycles that Lindblad has for our use in Petersburg, or you could just go for a relaxing walk around town! Later in the afternoon, there was also another chance to go on dock walk to learn about the fishing industry, or explore the muskeg with one of the on-board naturalists, as well as exploring the community photographically with our photo instructor.
Finally, at six o’clock it was time for everyone to re-board the National Geographic Sea Lion, have some snacks and a cocktail, and enjoy hearing more about the local fishing industry from a resident, Becky Knight, Who has been involved in fishing with her husband and children for many years, a real insider’s perspective!
Finally, it was time to say goodbye to our guest, and pull away from the dock, leaving Petersburg behind. But there was one last important, and exciting, thing to experience before the evening was over, the “Crab Feast” that would be the menu for this evening’s dinner. A great way to end another great day!
