Today we awoke at our anchorage in Haines, Alaska. The area around Haines was called Dtehshuh, or “end-of-the-trail” by the Chilkat group of the Tlingit. It received this name because they could portage their canoes via the trail they used to trade with the interior. The trail began at the outlet of the Chilkat River, ended at Dtehuhu, and saved 20 miles of paddling around the Chilkat Peninsula. Many different excursions were available today, including hiking, river rafting, biking, and fly fishing. If you desired, you could also explore the quaint fishing town and, if one was so inclined, visit the local brewery and distillery. There are many historical buildings and totem poles scattered around the town. The weather was dry and even sunny at times but, interestingly, it rained for about an hour in the middle of the day. Southeast Alaska always keeps us on our toes. We wrapped up the day with an amazing crab feast! It was a delicious end to a magical day.
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.