Many aboard National Geographic Venture this morning woke early to scan the shore of Princess Royal Island for existing signs of the elusive spirit bear. This is a rare colored variant of the black bear with a recessive genetic trait that endows the species with a coat of lustrous white fur.
Alas, we never saw the spirit bear, but we did have a remarkable time exploring this area. We anchored just off Butedale on the island, which was a thriving fishing camp in the early 1900s. The property’s new owner has big plans to turn Butedale into an eco-resort. At present, the site is under construction.
Most opted for an adventurous hike through the forest, up a steep trail, to Butedale Lake. The trail gave us an opportunity to learn about the flora community common to a coastal rainforest. Once at the lake we had beautiful views, resting in the bright sunshine, and took in the pristine air.
We said goodbye to Butedale and resumed our northward voyage. At cocktail hour, we all gathered on the bow and raised a toast to say farewell to Canada. Tomorrow morning we will wake up in Alaska.
