Day 3 - George Island, Elfin Cove, Inian Islands

On Day 3, Tuesday June 2, we awoke in Idaho Inlet near the north end of Chichagof Island and observed rafts of sea otters floating on their backs, sleeping with their heads and feet out of the water, some drifting towards the ship until startled into waking. An after-breakfast hike took us to the summit of George Island, a World War II defensive post that still has remnants of its former use, including a 6-in. naval pedestal gun. The view from the top included the Gulf of Alaska, Cross Sound and the Brady Glacier.

A short Zodiac trip after lunch took us to the little village of Elfin Cove. Elfin Cove is a year-round fishing village that also attracts sport fishermen. After returning to the NG Sea Lion a short cruise took us to the Inian Islands, where the Zodiacs took us for a close-up view of large herds of Steller's sea lions.