It was a very dreary morning as we docked in the quaint town of Petersburg. However, the gray weather wasn’t going to stop the eager guests from venturing out and learning about some of Petersburg’s unique Norwegian heritage. Petersburg was founded over 100 years ago by a Norwegian fisherman and is now one of Alaska’s top fishing communities. Though the population is barely over 3,000, we were not short of activities! Guests were able to take dock walks with naturalists to learn about the different fishing techniques and boats. Many purse seiners had recently come to port after a busy stint of fishing for pink salmon. The dock was lined with giant plumose anemones and other invertebrates, giving people a sneak-peek of the underwater world. The muskeg bog walk on Kupreanof Island across the channel was a popular activity and was a unique habitat to explore. Some chose to stretch their legs and take a bike for a spin while others chose to grab a hot drink and browse the local shops.
As we sailed south through Wrangell Narrows, naturalist Lee gave an informational talk about Alaskan wildlife. The wind picked up and National Geographic Sea Bird crashed through rough seas. The rough conditions created a good opportunity for guests to rest from our long week. Everyone had been eagerly waiting to hear from our National Geographic photographer aboard and we were glued to his presentation as he shared stories, photos, and videos of his life spent documenting whales—what a treat! And, of course, we couldn’t visit a fishing town without leaving with fresh seafood! We ended a wonderful day with fresh Alaskan salmon and an all-you-can-eat Dungeness crab feast-bon appétit!
