The morning began with an exchange of rain and sun, the typical indecisiveness of weather that nourishes the temperate rain forest of Southeast Alaska. As the tide fell beneath our feet, our guests took to land at Lake Eva to walk amidst the Sitka Spruce and dense understory of the forest. As expected, the salmon filled the stream fed by the lake and wherever the fish are, so will the characteristic mammals that feed upon them be. Our bear was spotted mid steam, pinning a salmon to a rock, picking off the tastiest portions. Cantering back and forth in the wash of the river, our guests enjoyed the bear’s relaxed demeanor as it did what it does best in the late summer season. A beautiful encounter to highlight our first full day, with much more of what Alaska has to give headed our way.
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.