Aaltanhash Inlet & Grenville Channel, B.C.
As you can see from the photo, today was a “Steller” day. Remaining anchored overnight in Aaltanhash Inlet, we awoke in our own private cove. The bright sun reflected brilliantly off the snow peaked mountains and twinkled on the glassy calm water. Eagerly we headed for shore, and divided into kayakers and hikers. Those who chose to stay on land had the choice of setting off into the woods for a lengthy hike, or to explore the intertidal zone along the shore. Either option provided excellent opportunities to learn more about the various ecosystems that exist within British Columbia’s coastal forests.
Kayakers soon realized they were not alone in the morning’s stillness – a dozen or so juvenile Steller’s sea lions cavorted about the cove, their short, powerful exhalations turning into a golden mist in the morning light. Sometimes swimming in a pack, sometimes breaking off in twos and threes, they curiously peered out at the gliding kayaks and the inhabitants of the strange floating objects. Sleek, wet heads with large liquid eyes broke the water’s surface time and time again. At times they appeared to be trying to out do one another with their antics – leaping, snorting.
How could anything top this morning, we thought? Well, an on-deck lunch followed by an afternoon traveling through Wright Sound into the endlessly long and narrow Grenville Channel proved equal to the first half of our day. Relaxing in our cabins or out on deck, the scenery proved just as captivating as the sea lions.
In anticipation of tomorrow’s destination, the Yukon Chorale Group (a.k.a. the Expedition Staff) performed an enthusiastic version of “North to Alaska.” Feet tapping, hands clapping, and Bette Lu leading on guitar, we were caught up in the fun and excitement of the song:
“ Where the river is winding…big nuggets we’re finding, North to Alaska, go north the rush is on…”
Believe it or not, our day wasn’t over yet! Just as we had settled in the dining room for our dinner, the announcement was made - a bear on the beach! We made our way up to the bow and watched in awe as a black bear enjoyed its own dinner of field greens.
As you can see from the photo, today was a “Steller” day. Remaining anchored overnight in Aaltanhash Inlet, we awoke in our own private cove. The bright sun reflected brilliantly off the snow peaked mountains and twinkled on the glassy calm water. Eagerly we headed for shore, and divided into kayakers and hikers. Those who chose to stay on land had the choice of setting off into the woods for a lengthy hike, or to explore the intertidal zone along the shore. Either option provided excellent opportunities to learn more about the various ecosystems that exist within British Columbia’s coastal forests.
Kayakers soon realized they were not alone in the morning’s stillness – a dozen or so juvenile Steller’s sea lions cavorted about the cove, their short, powerful exhalations turning into a golden mist in the morning light. Sometimes swimming in a pack, sometimes breaking off in twos and threes, they curiously peered out at the gliding kayaks and the inhabitants of the strange floating objects. Sleek, wet heads with large liquid eyes broke the water’s surface time and time again. At times they appeared to be trying to out do one another with their antics – leaping, snorting.
How could anything top this morning, we thought? Well, an on-deck lunch followed by an afternoon traveling through Wright Sound into the endlessly long and narrow Grenville Channel proved equal to the first half of our day. Relaxing in our cabins or out on deck, the scenery proved just as captivating as the sea lions.
In anticipation of tomorrow’s destination, the Yukon Chorale Group (a.k.a. the Expedition Staff) performed an enthusiastic version of “North to Alaska.” Feet tapping, hands clapping, and Bette Lu leading on guitar, we were caught up in the fun and excitement of the song:
“ Where the river is winding…big nuggets we’re finding, North to Alaska, go north the rush is on…”
Believe it or not, our day wasn’t over yet! Just as we had settled in the dining room for our dinner, the announcement was made - a bear on the beach! We made our way up to the bow and watched in awe as a black bear enjoyed its own dinner of field greens.
