What a way to start the day! As we sat down for breakfast and our ship tied up to the fueling dock, a killer whale appeared right in front of our starboard side windows! It didn’t stay in sight long before heading into the thicket of white fog. After the sighting we all disembarked to explore the sights around the quaint town of Petersburg, Alaska. Some of our knowledgeable Naturalists, Emily Mount and Steve Maclean, led groups over to Mitkof Island for a gorgeous bog walk, while our Wellness Specialist led the charge for a fun aerobic walk. Sun dews and stunted shore pines stole the show as the differences between the temperate rainforest and the acidic, water-logged muskeg became apparent. Despite the recent kidnapping of our Undersea Specialist’s beloved dinosaurs, Caitlyn Webster braved another day and led dock walks highlighting the rich history, types of vessels, and fishing practices incorporated in this town that was truly built on fish. Some of our photo team took to the docks and streets of Petersburg to capture its rustic charm, trying to tell the story of this unique place. Fishing boats and reflections, the Sons of Norway Hall, and the slew below the nearby bridge focused photo enthusiasts’ lenses on key storytelling elements before heading into the tiny downtown area to snap some more shots and even do a bit of shopping. Later in the morning, guests had the opportunity to see the area from way up high in the sky via float plane tours.
Fueled up and ready to go, we set sail for Wrangle Narrows, expertly navigated through the small, shallow passage by our Second Mate, Melissa Fitzgerald. Hungry for more knowledge, we joined Emily down in the lounge to learn about the salmon’s journey from a fry to filet in an enthusiastic and informative presentation. Promises of a presentation from our National Geographic Photographer, Dan Westergren, were used in hopes of luring some marine mammals into sight as we actively scanned the coastline for wildlife. Before kicking off cocktail hour, Steve gave a riveting talk on Alaskan forest ecology and the harvesting of old growth forests that gave everyone food for thought. As the night came to a close, many of us were eager to enjoy the evening’s main event, the crab feast of Dungeness crab that was fresh caught locally from Petersburg. The case of the devious disappearance of dinosaurs continued to concern the masses, however one dinosaur was returned safe and sound causing the plot tothicken.
