Day 6

Awoke to find ourselves anchored in the Idaho Inlet, and sunshine again!  We seem to have started with sun almost every morning, even though it quickly clouds over, and we then have at least three seasons in the time we’re away from the WEX. 

Alaskans have an interesting sense of humor. About 100 years ago a fellow told the captain of the Idaho steamer  there was a short cut by taking a trip down the inlet. The captain realized that he had been taken when they hit the mud flats at the end of the inlet. Took some time to get it off again, but the name stayed.

Sam (female), the head naturalist took us out today.  We paddled along the shoreline, following in close so we could enjoy the forest and undergrowth.  We are now out of Glacier Bay National park, and back in Tongass National Forest.  So more boat traffic, more human impact (as evidenced by the rubbish we collected at our first stop).  The glaciers and truly grand mountains are all behind us, and the forests are mature and vibrant with life here.  Expected to see plenty of brown bear since this is their country but didn’t see a single one – perhaps it was too warm?  In fact all we did see was a river otter, the usual bald eagles and occasional sea lion.  The day was just perfect – barely any swell, the sound of the gentle surf on the shore, the deep stillness that only comes in a deciduous forest.  We happily floated, stretching out the time and leaching every nano second from the experience. 

We stopped at a nice beach and walked inland along to a stream known to be a salmon spawning stream. It was very shallow and hard to believe that fish could make their way up. Sam pointed out how the forest at the banks of the river was much larger than elsewhere. She said this is because the animals consume the fish near the river and so the ground is well fertilized.

After lunch, our walk took us up on to a plateau where the ground was a bog and few trees grew – our views out over the bay and back to the WEX were spectacular. Interesting wild flowers grew in abundance and we found plenty of evidence of both brown bear (prints, scat) and sitka deer (prints, scat).    The view from the top was worth all the bush bashing to get there.

Our paddle back followed the shore line yet again, and except for a rain shower, the weather was calm and balmy.  We trailed through kelp beds, and looked at conch shells and five legged star fish on the rocks.  Thought we’d spotted some exciting black animal in the grass only to discover it was a raven!  Eventually decided against a mutiny, and paddled unwillingly back to the boat around 16:00 hrs.  So ended the kayaking part of a wonderful trip!

When we came on board we were greeted with the happy news that the water line was broken, and there was no water to be had on the boat.  Thankfully the toilets flushed with sea water.  It was worse for the kitchen crew. 

Our last evening we all joined the Captain for dinner. The food was excellent and we all had a good time remembering the cruise. Lots of laughs and stories. After dinner we chatted in the lounge as we watched whales, seals and birds. There was even a Grizzly Bear on the beach to bid is farewell (another Zhang photo of course!).

It was dark too soon and we retired to our noisy cabin. In the morning we woke to find ourselves back in Juneau and after a hurried breakfast the crew bid us goodbye. So ended a fantastic trip. If you are all inclined to visit Alaska consider a cruise such as this. Irrespective of what your kayaking experience is (from none upwards) you will find it very enjoyable.

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