CRUISING - Day 2

June 9  (Day 2)  started out with water (45 degree) and bear safety precautions, followed by kayaking and paddle board instructions.  The Wilderness Explorer has an overall length of 182’ breadth of 36’ depth-amidships 11’ 2” and it accommodates 76 passengers and a crew of 27.    For our daily activities,  Don and I chose a 1.5 hour kayaking trip and after lunch joined a bush whacking/shore hike which included a skiff ride to the non-existent trailhead.  It took about 1 hour to do a 1.2 mile bush whack...no trail except a faint one created by the bear and deer, etc.  Walking the shoreline was challenging due to the rubber boots one wears for hiking in this type of terrain.  Then it was time to get presentable for dinner (a fresh t-shirt).  The evening was concluded with an entertaining and informative bird identification “power-point” presentation.  As we feel asleep, the captain pulled up anchor and headed for Freshwater Bay.

Early morning fog provides magical images...

See what I mean?

And from a distance you can see "the fog roll in" from
left to right

Nancy & Don give their best "puffin" impression as we suit up...

Our leader takes on a "beginner" kayak so we can get use to
"sit inside" kayaks...

And the fog continues to roll in...

Now we got the hang of it!!!

And find interesting "critters" hanging onto the rocks,

and black bears roaming in the grass 

while Bald Eagles wade at the shore...fishing!!!

And friends pass us up on the standup paddle boards.

Bush wacking is an understatement

but you do see some interesting things when you take
time to stop and look up...

down (banana slugs in AK)...

and sideways...

And all around....

Day 2's playground...