Early this morning National Geographic Sea Lion entered Thomas Bay, an area north of Petersburg, and off Frederick Sound. Our landing was at a place called Cascade Creek, where there were different length hikes offered, from moderate to a much more strenuous, and adventurous one, especially for the younger teenagers in the crowd. However, some of the adventurous parents and guests had their own long hike on a not-so-maintained trail, past a beautiful waterfall and then following Cascade Creek up the mountain. The afternoon was in Petersburg, with multiple options for activities: everything from a chance to go flight seeing over a glacier, riding a bike around town, learning about the fishing industry on a dock walk, or taking a lovely walk through a different habitat of a bog or muskeg!
8/1/2019
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National Geographic Venture
Baranof Island
After exploring the glaciers and open waters of the northern Inside Passage, we sailed south through the night and returned to the starting point of our journey, Baranof Island. This island, along with Admiralty to the east and Chichagof to the north, is home to one of the highest densities of brown bears in the world. To search for evidence of the bears as they begin their yearly salmon feast and continue our exploration of the temperate rainforest, we anchored in Kelp Bay to kayak and hike the shoreline throughout the morning. Later in the afternoon, we welcomed Dr. Andy Szabo of the Alaska Whale Foundation to learn more about ongoing research taking place in Alaska on the unique bubblenet feeding behavior we witnessed earlier in the trip. Only in Alaska can you experience the forest, salmon, bears, and whales all in one day.
