Guests awoke aboard National Geographic Quest on their first full day in Southeast Alaska in beautiful Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness! As National Geographic Quest made her way down the fjord and through various succession zones, guests took in the awe-inspiring views of the fjord while sipping on hot coffee and tea. Once Zodiacs were ready to go, we hopped aboard and zipped further up the fjord to get close to the face of South Sawyer Glacier. What a show she put on! The mythical thunder bird roared her thunder, and we observed continuous calving events that ranged from small to large! Guests also observed the spontaneous and thrilling event of a glacier shooter emerging from below the waterline! As the iceberg breached the surface, it sent a good-sized wave across the fjord. It tossed and turned trying to find its center of gravity, and it gave a great show of the beauty and dimension of ice. It was a great way to begin the week!
As the afternoon progressed, National Geographic Quest cruised through Stephens Passage and Fredrick Sound toward Five Finger Lighthouse. Upon arrival, guests took a short Zodiac ride to the island, where they were greeted by the two lightkeepers, Pat and John. Drinks were enjoyed on the lawn while we listened to stories of the lighthouse’s history. We took tours of the lighthouse and with a short walk up the spiral staircase, guests were able to enjoy the panoramic views from the top. Day one of our journey was a day to be remembered.
