Our third full day exploring the Alexander Archipelago of Southeast Alaska started in a very Alaskan way, with a fog that covered everything around us and created a magical atmosphere; here and there groups of Sitka spruce and western hemlock showed their tall tops above the fog looking a bit out of this world. Eventually National Geographic Sea Bird sailed out of that grayish scene into a clear and sunny day in the middle of Red Bluff and suddenly we could see every detail of the steep forested mountains around us and a beautiful waterfall. Our Captain expertly maneuvered the ship so that we could see–and feel—the cascade just a few dozen feet away from the bow.
After visiting Red Bluff we entered the large Chatham Strait and pretty soon discovered a couple of humpback whales that were active at the surface and regaled us with a short show of pectoral fin-slapping and even three full body breaches! A couple of Dall’s porpoises followed us for several minutes and seemed to have a great time bow-riding the pressure wave created by the moving ship.
We continued heading north and eventually arrived to Lake Eva, where we divided into several groups to hike along a salmon stream and do some kayaking on the gorgeous estuary. The old forest regaled us with wonderful sights and experiences and also had the chance to see numerous salmon on the stream. Sockeye, pink, and coho salmon were present, together with cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden char, and even a few harbor seals and a river otter! At the end of the day we were all happily tired and a bit more in love with this beautiful land called Alaska.
