We awoke to a drizzly morning, but that wasn’t going to stop the guests aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird from exploring Endicott Arm—the southern branch of Holkham Bay. As we made our way past vertical granite walls down the 30 mile fjord, we noticed the icebergs getting more abundant. Shortly after breakfast we saw a blue hue at the end of the fjord—Dawes glacier! The expedition landing craft were lowered and loaded and the guests, bundled in multiple layers of rain gear, set off for a close-up view of the glacier. The air was still and calm and was only interrupted by the intermittent white thunder of the calving glacier. Harbor seals roamed the surrounding water and curiously poked their heads above the surface to view our boats.
The rain continued on through the afternoon, but so did the hunger for one last Southeast Alaskan adventure. We made our way back out of the fjord and headed towards Ford’s Terror through narrow, twisting channels. Ford’s Terror was named in the 1800s when an exploration of the area delivered large standing waves and ripping currents during the changing tide. A fitting name, indeed! We, of course, timed our arrival perfectly and anchored at slack tide (with little water movement). Once again bundled up, everyone headed outside for kayaking or expedition landing craft cruising. Though the currents were mild for the area, they were still strong enough to add some extra thrill for the adventurous kayakers. Waterfalls were abundant and the low hanging clouds added to the majesty of this hidden valley.
The day ended with the premiere of a photo slideshow of the trip—wow, what a week! Captain Cook said his farewells and guests spent the evening reminiscing the incredible animal encounters and sharing laughs. With all of the new friendships and stories to share, many agreed that the fond memories of this trip would last a lifetime.
