The morning began aboard National Geographic Sea Bird with a misty fog enveloping the Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness. As we progressed through the fjord, we admired the turquoise water from the glacial till and the waterfalls cascading from the melting snow high above.

Zodiac rides near the face of South Sawyer Glacier gave us all a view of hauled out harbor seals, the deep blue of thick icebergs, and crackling of growler ice.

We then moved seaward out of the fjord after lunch to enjoy kayaking and hiking in Williams Cove. The conditions in the cove were as calm as glass, and the hikes provided our first glimpse into the Tongass Temperate Rainforest.