We arrived in Ketchikan on Friday, September 2 for our final shore excursion - Misty Fjords and Wilderness Explorer. To get started on our trip, we simply had to walk onto the dock - the catamaran was right there! Our adventure began as soon as we left Ketchikan’s harbor, passing fishing boats and float planes. Our naturalist was very informative, giving us information on the geology, geography, and weather patterns, while we watched for wildlife as we sped along the rugged coastlines bordering Revillagigedo Channel. On our way out, we spotted two black bears, pulling salmon out of the water.

From there, we headed into Behm Canal, surrounded by the stunning beauty of Misty Fjords National Monument. Along the way we saw a bald eagle’s nest. And then we saw it! One of the most stunning features of the Misty Fjords - New Eddystone Rock - a huge volcanic spire rising out of the sea.

Up until this point in the trip, I was somewhat disappointed in our excursion. I had expected to see beautiful steep-walled fjords, and we had been mainly cruising through gently sloping hills. New Eddystone Rock was as beautiful as I had imagined, and made the entire trip worth it. And then we entered Rudyerd Bay, the true masterpiece in the Monument.  We learned the natural history of the fjords while gliding alongside 3,000-foot glacier-sculpted cliffs. While in Rudyerd Bay, we met up with several seaplanes, and did a passenger exchange - some passengers got onto the catamaran, and some got onto the seaplanes. While sitting at the dock with the seaplanes, we spotted two harbor seals, bobbing and playing in the waves.

On our cruise south from Rudyerd Bay, we were treated to an unexpected free lunch (vegetarian chili and clam chowder, along with samples of smoked salmon and kelp pickles) while keeping our eyes peeled for more wildlife. As we returned to Ketchikan, we enjoyed a presentation of native culture and history by a Tlingit story-teller. Carter enjoyed his native songs so much that he asked him to sing some more (and was rewarded for his appreciation with a free t-shirt)!