We had a wonderful morning in Petersburg, Alaska, a small Norwegian fishing town with a local motto of “The town that fish built.” This town’s close proximity to the LeConte Glacier and its icebergs, which could be used to pack and export fish, inspired a Norwegian entrepreneur to settle the town in 1890. With opportunities to spend some time on the active fishing dock, exploring the muskeg bog, wandering the small town and flightseeing over the glacier, guests had a great chance to see all that Petersburg had to offer. Setting sail in the afternoon, we headed south towards Misty Fjord for our last day in Southeast Alaska before reaching British Columbia.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 07 Sep 2017
Petersburg & Wrangell Narrows, 9/7/2017, National Geographic Quest
- Aboard the National Geographic Quest
- Alaska
Amy Malkoski, Undersea Specialist
Amy was raised near Cape Cod in coastal Marion, Massachusetts, and her relationship with the ocean and nature has always been an active one. Her parents, avid divers and marine biologists, introduced her to the underwater world when she was very youn...
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Billowing wisps of fog ribboned their way among the drooping bows of Sitka spruce as our ship cut through Johnstone Straight. Uncle Jim showed us many of his priceless treasures. Marveled by the craftsmanship of cedar spoons and intricate beadwork, the highlight was the opportunity to lay hands on a Chilkoot blanket, only ever seen behind protective panes of glass. The rain showers slowed as the gangway was lowered, and we took to the streets of Alert Bay. On foot or by bus, we made our way to U’mista Cultural Center. Enriching artifacts lined the walls for us to see, while outside we heard tales from a master carver and got to witness the artist in his element. A truly unique experience awaited us in the big house. Dancers in well-detailed regalia stomped and twisted in concert while the white smoke wisps weaved in the spaces between us and a nearly forgotten culture. The tribe invited us down for one last dance, and as we walked out the doors of the big house, wonder and joy reflected on our smiling faces.
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Desolation Sound
Today was a lovely introduction to the expectations of this temperate rainforest. Our morning was spent cruising towards Desolation Sound in search of wildlife. We had an incredible presentation from our Tlingit guest speaker, Jim Thomas, and an introduction to smartphone photography with a presentation from Photo Instructor Alex. After lunch, guests had two rounds of Zodiac tours into Prideaux Haven, a stunning glacially carved archipelago filled with sea stars, algae, ducks, and the misty mystical-ness of British Columbia. It was a fun full day on board National Geographic Quest !







