The day started with a hazy drizzle, but excitement hung in the air on National Geographic Sea Lion. As the guests arrived on shore in Haines, Alaska, they were whisked off to a variety of adventures. Some went to summit Mount Riley, some tried their hand at fly fishing, and others journeyed down the Chilkat River to a Tlingit cultural experience at Klukwan Village. We saw all kinds of wildlife from bald eagles to salmon to a brown bear sow and her two cubs. We also explored other local points of interest such as the Hammer Museum, the Sheldon Museum, and the American Bald Eagle Foundation. A few of us even tried a spruce-tipped beverage or two at the Haines Brewery and at Chilkoot Port Distillery. It was a well-deserved happy hour after an intense day of exploration in Haines.
9/5/2024
Read
National Geographic Sea Lion
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness
It was hard to beat the final day of this voyage. On a misty morning in Tracy Arm Fjord, we were met with beautiful green waters and cascading falls down gorgeous mountain faces. We made our way up the winding fjord looking for wildlife and enjoyed the incredible scenery. In the morning, we headed out on Zodiac tours, viewing gorgeous turquoise icebergs and watching the face of South Sawyer Glacier. While appreciating harbor seals in the area, we learned about the natural history of the landscape and wildlife. We were lucky enough to even see the glacier calve. A splash and hearing the thunderous sound of the ice separating from the glacier face was extremely exciting! After a wonderful Zodiac trip, we cruised on the ship towards South Sawyer Glacier for our polar plunge. The ocean water is cold in Alaska, and even chillier when next to a glacier! However, we had some brave guests that wanted to take their plunge into the Alaskan waters. It was a wonderful experience cheering each other on and seeing others dive into the water. After the plunge, we visited a beautiful waterfall called “hole in the wall”. Guests were able to get close, getting covered in the mist of the waterfall. It was definitely a highlight of the trip. Overall, it was an exceptional day.