Today’s destination aboard National Geographic Sea Bird was Haines, Alaska, a small town on the northwestern shore of Lynn Canal. We rose earlier than usual to partake in the many activities available: flightseeing, hiking Mt. Riley, bicycling along the Lukat Channel, and rafting the massive Chilkat River. We also visited the tiny Tlingit village of Klukwan, where we were treated to songs and dance that originated from time immemorial. As we floated down the beautiful Chilkat during our rafting excursion, we marveled at the humbling mountains and peaks, the tumultuous waterfalls and landslides, and the endless flow of water that is home to coho and sockeye salmon, bald eagles, mountain goats, red-tailed hawks, and of course, brown bears.
6/15/2025
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Endicott Arm
Today, we embarked on a voyage through the breathtaking Endicott Arm, a 30-mile fjord carved by ancient glaciers. As our vessel glided through the jade-green waters, towering granite cliffs rose on either side, with cascading waterfalls fed by melting snowfields. The fjord's serene beauty was punctuated by the occasional splash of harbor seals diving from ice bergs and the distant sight of mountain goats navigating the rugged terrain. Approaching the terminus of the fjord, the awe-inspiring Dawes Glacier came into view. Standing over 500 feet tall and half a mile wide, its icy facade shimmered in hues of blue and white. We boarded Zodiacs to get a closer look, maneuvering through a maze of icebergs, each uniquely sculpted by nature. Suddenly, a thunderous crack echoed as a massive chunk of ice calved from the glacier, crashing into the water below and sending ripples across the fjord—a humbling reminder of nature's power. The journey through Endicott Arm was more than a scenic cruise, it was an intimate encounter with the raw, dynamic forces that shape Alaska's wilderness. The memories of shimmering glaciers, playful seals, and towering cliffs will linger, a testament to the allure of this pristine frontier.
