With multiple Orca sightings up close!
Two more days of cruising around the Alaskan Panhandle on the Admiralty Dream.
Exploring Historic Haines on Monday
Some say Haines is one of Southeast Alaska’s hidden gems and most scenic communities, and the only time that the Admiralty Dream stops here is for the John Hall Charter. We spent the morning on a bus tour to visit the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in the village of Klukwan, learning about the Tlingit heritage of Haines. To get there, we traveled through one of the greatest densities of bald eagles in the world, but, alas, saw none. After lunch back on board the boat, we spent the afternoon exploring the town of Haines, including the iconic Hammer Museum. It was a gorgeous day, so Happy Hour was on deck including music by a crew member, and we saw Orca up close as we cruised on after dinner.
Crusing Alexander Archipelago on Tuesday
First charted in 1794, the waters of the Alexander Archipelago are frequent playgrounds of humpbacks and orcas, and the area’s many nooks and coves make it great for visitors of all kinds. We woke to a gorgeous day, already anchored in one William Henry Bay. First thing after breakfast, we took a dib (Demaree Inflatable Boat) ride to shore for a short hike. There we found evidence of brown bears (claw marks on the trail and much bear scat), saw a bald eagle and evidence of previous human occupation (mining). and then kayaking around. Cruising on in the afternoon we saw more Orca. Late afternoon and evening we spent around Orca Point Lodge (including an Alaskan King Crab, Roast Beef and Salmon feast). From Orca Point Lodge is a land bridge to Admiralty Island, where there is the largest concentration of Brown Bear in North America.
What Gail saw when she stepped out of her stateroom at 6:45am 
Heading to the beach in the dib 
Tire Tree seen on hike 
On hike 
Finished hike, heading back on the dib, shortly 
Almost done kayaking…heading back to the Admiralty Dream 
More Orca accompanying us on our cruise 
Arriving at Orca Point Lodge in late afternoon 
Land Bridge to Admiralty Island disappearing with the tide while s’more are made 
View from Arriving at Orca Point Lodge in late afternoon 
Leaving Orca Point Lodge in late evening
Now in Sitka, done with cruise…INTERNET…will catch up Posts, soon
For more pictures (later), see Adventure Album: Alaska!
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