National Geographic Sea Lion sailed through the night from Tracy Arm through Stephen’s Passage and south down the eastern branch of Frederick Sound to Petersburg. Petersburg, known as “Alaska’s Little Norway” was founded by Norwegian fisherman more than 100 years ago and is now one of Alaska’s most productive fishing communities. The weather presented this morning as a little more Southeast than usual and reminded us why the hills are coated with thick, lush and beautiful temperate rainforest. The combination of rain, wind and cooler temperatures created an opportunity for flexibility in scheduling! For starters, the morning exercise class was shifted to the lounge where many folks were able to self-treat and work with connective tissues in the comforts of a warm indoor venue. Of course, this was followed by a delicious smoothie for all those wishing to imbibe such a treat.
Following breakfast, one of the photo instructors delivered a program called “Photo 2.0” to bring people further along on their quest to learn more about their cameras and how to use them in new and exciting ways. While all this was occurring, our fearless (and flexible) expedition leader arranged for tours of the nearby Tonka Seafoods, Inc. cannery, to really give everyone an idea of how salmon and shrimp get from the nets to our plates. This cannery employs about 25 people during the height of the season which runs from May through September. Some staff sleep in a bunkhouse on site, others in town, but all work 12 hour shifts either cleaning, packing, stacking, moving, smoking, selling, documenting, or doing any other task required to bring the smoked salmon to us. The salmon are cleaned, and then smoked raw using a combination of maple, alder and birch. This combination provides for a subtle smoked flavor. After being smoked, they are put into flexible copper-colored foil pouches and cooked under 14 pounds of pressure for 51 minutes at over 200 degrees. The cannery produces about 200,000 pouches a season ranging from 2-20 ounces depending on the clients’ order. It was fun to see the operation that supplies the National Geographic Sea Lion with its salmon.
Shortly after cruising south from Petersburg, we made an about face to track a small pod of killer whales. The finale of the whale sighting was a bright rainbow over the water. Excitement and enthusiasm from all onboard for more animal sightings and continued adventure stayed with us as we traveled through the afternoon en route to Misty Fjords National Monument!
