Tuesday | June 28th

September 9, 2011 by  
Filed under InnerSea Discoveries

Little Port Walter

Last night some were worried about a potential rough crossing to arrive at South Baranof across Chatham Strait. Some folks complained of being sea-sick while others enjoyed the rocking and rolling that lulled them to sleep in the berths of their cabins.

 

Several activities are offered to our guests. I enjoy being the all-day kayak guide.

We enjoy a paddle along the south side of the fiord to an old herring rendering plant.

Stop to play at a waterfall located adjacent to some old rusty tanks.

We continue to a place named “Lovers Cove” and are able to paddle up a magnificent little river that has “perfect salmon spawning habitat” written all over it. A large, fallen snag stands with branches akimbo across the riffle area where we have to turn-around.

Later, the strongest of the paddlers continue to another inlet that houses the Little Port Walter station of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. When we arrive to the dock, I noticed what I thought was a funny-looking sea otter swimming from where we had just paddled. A fish biologist, who has a better view, tells us the swimming mammal is a bear. We immediately turn around as quickly as we could and enjoy watching it shake the excess water off of its back before disappearing into the forest.

On the opposite shore we make a micturition stop with an opportunity to stretch our legs. We spot some pretty wildflowers, including daisy, paintbrush and chocolate lily.

We each carry-out a few marine debris items that were strewn up in the beach wrack zone. I take a group photo of everyone holding their most interesting finds, including a hagfish trap, oyster spacers for aquaculture, plastic bottles and a small fish net. I take the opportunity to describe the issues surrounding marine debris and derelict fishing gear and the impacts on marine wildlife.

Back aboard the M/V Wilderness Discoverer, the youngsters enjoy a simulated “campfire” adjacent to a pitched tent in the lounge. The kids ensconced themselves on the pads and wrapped themselves up in the sleeping bags and ate bags of microwaved popcorn.

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