Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada
Sunshine and smooth water welcomed the Sea Lion this morning. Immediately after breakfast the Zodiacs were launched to undertake a 45-minute investigation of Kumealon Inlet. This enchanting little fjord holds a verdant stand of trees, a rocky shoreline and several floating homes mysteriously moored in watery nooks. The accompanying photo taken near a small falls shows turbulent foam naturally caused by tannins in the water. The falls provided exciting photo opportunities for guests and crew alike.
Once everyone was back on board, and had enjoyed a few minutes of deck time in the sunlight, Naturalist Gretchen Pederson gave a program on Forest Ecology in the lounge. Having already photographed, hiked, and listened to Naturalist descriptions about the layers of green along the British Columbia Inside Passage, we enjoyed Gretchen’s slides and easy banter about trees and more trees. Gretchen pointed out that most British Columbia and Alaska visitors do not visit those areas to look at forests. However, that green world serves as home and food source for animal and vegetative populations. It also reproduces itself, and protects and high-lights the grandeur of the Inside Passage and its many fjords, streams and inlets. Dominated by Western Red Cedar, Hemlock and Douglas fir, these stands are both intrinsically and visually enchanting. They also serve as fodder for Canadian forest products companies. Gretchen reviewed the upside and downside of logging practices. Although Old Growth is difficult to find, it exists and impresses visitors. A summary Recap was held in the Lounge at 11:30 am which touched on subjects ranging from the salmon (and general fish) crisis in western waters to names affixed to Inside Passage islands and adjoining waterways.
After one of the Sea Lion’s famous midday meals, the ship docked at Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The tie-up was at Cow Bay, a colorful indentation below the town center. (The name Cow Bay is supposed to derive from a long-ago barge of bovine stock that sank, causing the animals to swim to shore.) A small city, and onetime western terminus of the old Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company (now Canadian National), Prince Rupert offered small-scale shopping. The highlight was The Museum of Northern British Columbia, which provided docents, a First Nation gift store, dancing, and impressive coastal First Nation artifacts.
Cocktails, dinner and a relaxed evening in the setting sun brought the day to a close. Guests and crew contemplated a change in time zone and tomorrow’s arrival in Alaska.
Sunshine and smooth water welcomed the Sea Lion this morning. Immediately after breakfast the Zodiacs were launched to undertake a 45-minute investigation of Kumealon Inlet. This enchanting little fjord holds a verdant stand of trees, a rocky shoreline and several floating homes mysteriously moored in watery nooks. The accompanying photo taken near a small falls shows turbulent foam naturally caused by tannins in the water. The falls provided exciting photo opportunities for guests and crew alike.
Once everyone was back on board, and had enjoyed a few minutes of deck time in the sunlight, Naturalist Gretchen Pederson gave a program on Forest Ecology in the lounge. Having already photographed, hiked, and listened to Naturalist descriptions about the layers of green along the British Columbia Inside Passage, we enjoyed Gretchen’s slides and easy banter about trees and more trees. Gretchen pointed out that most British Columbia and Alaska visitors do not visit those areas to look at forests. However, that green world serves as home and food source for animal and vegetative populations. It also reproduces itself, and protects and high-lights the grandeur of the Inside Passage and its many fjords, streams and inlets. Dominated by Western Red Cedar, Hemlock and Douglas fir, these stands are both intrinsically and visually enchanting. They also serve as fodder for Canadian forest products companies. Gretchen reviewed the upside and downside of logging practices. Although Old Growth is difficult to find, it exists and impresses visitors. A summary Recap was held in the Lounge at 11:30 am which touched on subjects ranging from the salmon (and general fish) crisis in western waters to names affixed to Inside Passage islands and adjoining waterways.
After one of the Sea Lion’s famous midday meals, the ship docked at Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The tie-up was at Cow Bay, a colorful indentation below the town center. (The name Cow Bay is supposed to derive from a long-ago barge of bovine stock that sank, causing the animals to swim to shore.) A small city, and onetime western terminus of the old Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company (now Canadian National), Prince Rupert offered small-scale shopping. The highlight was The Museum of Northern British Columbia, which provided docents, a First Nation gift store, dancing, and impressive coastal First Nation artifacts.
Cocktails, dinner and a relaxed evening in the setting sun brought the day to a close. Guests and crew contemplated a change in time zone and tomorrow’s arrival in Alaska.
