Our day started a bit earlier than usual with a 12:45 a.m. wake-up call to view the aurora borealis. Fighting the chill of the night air, our guests crowded the bow of the ship to view the green and purple streaks of the Northern Lights; they remained until the sun began to rise sometime after 1:00 a.m. Later, after a bit more sleep, we enjoyed breakfast as the ship came into dock. A day in Petersburg gives our guests the opportunity to hike, view a muskeg, ride bikes, and take in the local culture. By a stroke of luck, we happened to arrive while the town was in the full swing of its Little Norway Festival. There was a sweater modeling competition, celebratory exhibits displaying local art in all the shops, and Vikings dancing with townspeople in a parade. By the way, there was also a black bear in full view during lunch!
9/4/2024
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National Geographic Quest
Kelp Bay and Hidden Falls
It was drizzling a bit as we made our way to the scenic anchorage at Kelp Bay. Through the drizzle, we were excited to see a sow brown bear with her two cubs fishing for salmon in the stream! It was a fantastic start to an amazing day. Our guests went on some beautiful hikes through the dense temperate rainforest, which had the fresh scent of rain and evergreens. One of the hikes led to a muskeg and a huge beaver pond. It was worth the effort to get there. During lunch, we repositioned National Geographic Quest to a bay near Hidden Falls where there is a salmon hatchery. At the hatchery, the air buzzed with activity as brown bears, Steller sea lions, and birds feasted on the salmon schooling at the fish ladder. The massive bears of varying ages and sizes stood poised to strike at the wriggling fish. They snatch their prey in their powerful paws and jaws. This time of year, the bears are hyper focused on feeding, so they can replenish their reserves before their winters sleep. Our viewing of the bears was a thrilling reminder of nature’s raw and untamed beauty.