What an amazing first full day of the trip! We woke up in Misty Fjords National Monument. After a wonderful breakfast that included pancakes, we went on a Zodiac tour of Owl Pass. We had the pleasure of admiring the tall walls carved by a glacier thousands of years ago. We saw western red cedar trees interspersed by red alders. As for animals, we saw a bald eagle, harbor seals, American minks, marbled murrelets, and a smattering of gulls. The cascading water was a true highlight. Next, we went for a calm kayak trip. After lunch, we cruised for wildlife on our way to Wrangell and found an energetic whale that was into tail-slapping. How exciting! I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings.
5/13/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Wrangell
It was a quintessentially Southeast Alaskan morning: cool, blue-gray, and shrouded in ethereal mist. The whole ship was eager to explore the town of Wrangell. As we disembarked, we prepared for many different adventures: most took off up the Stikine River, others enjoyed a stroll along a beach renowned for its petroglyphs, and still others were witnesses to a traditional Tlingit ceremony at Chief Shake’s Tribal House. I spent the morning leading a hike up Mt. Dewey, where guests enjoyed their first taste of the temperate rainforest. Bald eagles, banana slugs, and the spring blooms of the understory were among the highlights. Now we are gathered in the lounge to enjoy libations and merriment as we transit through the Wrangell Narrows. Our expert Bridge team will weave through the constricted passageway, aided by decades of experience and the navigational installments of mariners past. Full of local seafood and eager for tomorrow, we will rest well.