What a wild and exhilarating day we had in Haines, or “Deishú” as the Tlingit named this place, which means “end of the trail.” Our adventure began with a challenging hike as we attempted to summit Mount Riley, however the deep winter snowpack stopped us short of the summit. The crisp mountain air filled our lungs as we soaked in the splendor of the forest and its streams. Energized by our adventure, we wandered through the charming town to visit its colonial houses, quaint shops, and local microbrewery. We also enjoyed a cool float down the glistening Chilkat River. As we gently glided along the serene waters, we marveled at the sight of majestic bald eagles soaring overhead, their wings outstretched in a magnificent display of power. It was an extraordinary day that encapsulated the true spirit of Southeast Alaska.
9/10/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Pavlof Harbor
The day started with an exciting encounter. Before breakfast we observed a group of bubble-netting humpback whales. It was incredible to see them lunge and hear them breathing at the surface. This was coupled by a glorious pink sunrise. After breakfast we took Zodiac cruises searching for bears near Pavlof Harbor. Even though we did not find any (wildlife is always delightfully unexpected), the scenery was beautiful, and we watched many adorable harbor seals. After thinking the excitement of the day was done, we spotted a large group of whales from a distance. While approaching closer, we realized this group was also bubble-net feeding. Close to the shore, we observed these whales for hours. We even dropped the hydrophone to hear their haunting feeding call before they all lunged at the surface. It was one of the most incredible things any of us had ever witnessed. As if this wasn’t enough, at our sunset recap we got the call that there were killer whales around the ship. It was the most amazing ending to the most amazing day.