Travis Patten grew up in Minnesota on the shore of Lake Superior where he was brought up in a family culture of appreciation for all things water related. He learned an appreciation for nature from his grandfather and works to echo the lessons he was...
This morning, we awoke nestled in the deep fjords of Tracy Arm, National Geographic Quest a tiny miniature in this land of geological and frozen giants. Specks of white ice drifted by, floating on water teal and discolored by the glacial till. We made our way towards the glaciers and into the ice field which welcomed us coldly. After Zodiac cruising, a number of brave souls lept into the icy waters, defiant in the face of the freezing cold as they polar plunged into the brackish waters. In the afternoon we left the fjord, heading north when we encountered killer whales who crossed our bow and boisterously led us to a breaching humpback. It was just another glorious afternoon in the majestic waters of the Inside Passage.
Today we awoke as we passed through Wrangell Narrows and docked at Petersburg. The day was eventful, as guests and staff biked, hiked, and strolled around the island while learning about its culture, beauty, and ecosystem. Many saw their first muskeg, a bog with specially adapted plants, as they braved the rain. Once back onboard, we were greeted by a group of playful killer whales, including at least one calf. We witnessed tail slaps and even a few spy hops! After a lively crab feast, we all joined Luke as he led a rowdy game of trivia. The lounge was full of belly laughter until after 10pm.
After clearing customs, National Geographic Quest made its way deep into the stunning and massive fjord walls of Misty Fjords, en route through Behm Canal and Rudyard Canyon towards God’s Pocket. We had a delicious brunch and then disembarked for kayaking and Zodiac tours. We enjoyed the lovely and serene views, including waterfalls, lush landscapes, and many ducks. You could say it was very…gneiss! On our way north, we ran into an unexpected visitor… the sun! While it didn’t last long, it did mean we had a full bow of guests enjoying the day. Onwards towards Petersburg!
