Today was our final day of the voyage, and yet, there were many firsts! For the hikers at William’s Cove, the forest fringe offered a new delicacy, the Nagoonberry. This highly-prized delicious treat is a mix in flavor between a strawberry and a raspberry. And they are rare. But today was THE day of the week we found them, and they were RIPE!

Another first: our normally slow-moving inflatable boats were zipping along unusually fast, which makes sense when you think about the age of the drivers. But the offer was for those under 21 only! (Sorry grown-ups). It was great fun to watch the whooshing and zooming as our younger shipmates captained the zodiacs.  Luckily, no “man overboard” drills were needed. Good job guys!

Many on board took advantage of the secluded cove for some quiet contemplative time in a kayak. But for the first time this week, the paddlers found themselves surrounded by some spectacular blue icebergs.  

And then came a highlight of our week together – another first – a mama brown bear with two cubs “of the year.” The young ones – still in the dark color phase indicative of their first summer of life, will gain their mother’s tawny coloration during their second summer together. By summer number three, she’ll shoo them away to begin their lives as adults (though in truth, the siblings often stay together another year). What were they eating? Probably berries, on the forest fringe. We weren’t the only ones to notice beautiful ripe berries on this summer day.

And finally, Dawes Glacier! This impressive tidewater glacier at the end of Endicott Arm was a dramatic finale to the week. The National Geographic Sea Bird got close, but the inflatable boats got closer. What an impressive display of nature in action. We wore everything we brought, because bouncing around in front of a glacier is like being INSIDE a giant margarita.

And so we did it; we spent a week in the magic of SE Alaska: whales, bears, mountain goats, seals, sea lions, otters, eagles, and puffins. We got exercise, we got muddy, we hiked, we paddled and bonded with our rubber boots (sort of), and we wandered…in wonder. We are lucky that those who came before us decided to preserve some of these last vestiges of wild America. And it is our hope that the next generation of leaders will share our passion for wilderness and keep these sanctuaries for the soul.

Thanks for the journey, shipmates. Travel well! And smooth sailing wherever the wind takes you.