Tim Martin has been teaching Geology, Astronomy, Art and Earth Science for over 20 years. Although he grew up in several locations around the United States, he always felt most at home in the natural world. His persistent curiosity led to his undergr...
Today, National Geographic Sea Lion began the day by sailing into Endicott Arm. Many of us were on the bow, watching various sizes of ice chunks pass us as we made our way to Dawes Glacier at the end of the fjord. After breakfast, we went out on a Zodiac ride toward the glacier and the ice that had calved into the ocean over the past couple of days. The massive U-shaped valleys and the incredible geology were on display as the sun came out. After a few people took a polar plunge, we left the glacier behind and found a black bear onshore. Sailing out of the wilderness area we capped off the night with a crab feast.
The fastidious crew of National Geographic Sea Lion tied off their dock lines in beautiful Haines, Alaska, at 0700. Surrounded by snowcapped peaks, Haines offered a postcard-perfect welcome. Guests had their pick of daily adventures, from scenic bike tours to immersive hikes into the surrounding wilderness. Eager to make the most of the day, we fueled up with breakfast and set off for Mount Riley by 0800. The 5.6-mile out-and-back trail challenged us with a 1,500-foot elevation gain, but each step brought greater reward. Along the way, we spotted Devil’s Matchstick lichen—an iconic burst of black atop slender stalks, resembling burnt match sticks. As we climbed higher, breathtaking views of the Chilkat Mountains and Lynn Canal revealed themselves. At the summit, we paused to take in the sweeping vistas, humbled by the scale and silence of Alaska’s wild spaces. It was a moment of shared awe and camaraderie, the kind that forges lasting connections. Afterward, returning to the charming town of Haines felt like re-entering a quiet storybook. This blend of rugged adventure and small-town warmth made the day truly extraordinary.
What A Day! And not only because it was Mother’s Day. Well before breakfast, under cloudless skies and a rising sun, we encountered a pod of three killer whales: a male, mother, and calf. They were well separated, but the male calmly swam near National Geographic Sea Lion , offering excellent photo ops for all of us. A couple of sea otters appeared and received equal photo time. We landed on George Island for hikes and kayaking as the day continued to amaze us all. Hikes were up-and-down through a forest of hemlocks and spruce, substantially different from yesterday’s hikes at Lake Eva, both from a biological standpoint and because of the rusting WWII canon left in place at the hike’s terminus. On the water, kayakers enjoyed calm conditions to explore the kelp canopy and other areas. During lunch we transited to the Inian Islands for Zodiac cruising. Again, with clear, sunny skies and calm waters, we viewed several sea lion haulouts, a handful of sea otters, numerous eagles, and stunning scenery. Several of us were given the chance to taste and rate the two most common surface kelps (it was a tie). The evening concluded with a vivid sunset and huge rising moon.
