Today we visited Petersburg. Off the beaten track of lumbering cruise ships, this is no tourist town. Instead, Petersburg retains both its Norwegian flavor, as well as its hard working, fishing style.
Petersburg was founded in 1891 upon a happy convergence of abundant fish and abundant ice- from the nearby Le Conte Glacier- to preserve them. To this day, fishing remains the dominant activity here.
While in Petersburg, many of us visited a local cannery. Others went flightseeing over water and ice. Still others explored the peculiar biology of a muskeg or bog.
As we were observing the local scene, so too were we being observed. A group of small children, obviously part of some daycare pack, walked out to our dock. Their leader pointed out the ship. Gravely they inspected the cabin doors, the Zodiacs, the stacked kayaks. Then the leader asked "What kind of boat is this? Is it a fishing boat?" In one voice, all the children cried "Yes!". I had to laugh. In Petersburg, every boat is a fishing boat. It's a pleasure to visit such a town.
