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Articles in this issue: Introduction Letter from Captain Dennis A Photographer's Dream! Spring Extravaganza - Trilogy of Spring Trips 2008 Available Dates ASA Marine Debris Clean-up Featured Petersburg Lodging Recipe - Black Cod Sake Kasu A very nice printable version of this newsletter that can be read in entirety or saved for reference is available here: FallASANewsletter2007.pdf (1.4MB)

Dear Friends,

Toni and I enjoyed our eighth wonderful season this year. Alaska Sea Adventures now has over three decades of operation in beautiful southeast Alaska! For those milestones we are very grateful, but for us as we enter this season of reflection, we are most thankful for the relationships we have built with clients over that time.

Throughout the spring, summer and fall, we cruised the
amazing waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage and were gifted with not only the incredible sights and experiences in many familiar locations, but many new ones, too. It is exciting to realize there are still seemingly infinite, exciting new locations within the islands yet to be “discovered.” It is always our pleasure to share this magic with our wonderful clientele, and we sincerely hope, (if you haven’t already), you’ll become one of the privileged few to truly experience the magic and wonders of southeast Alaska onboard the Alaska Adventurer!

Many of our guests wonder what it is like to live here year round. Fall is certainly a transitional time of year in Petersburg. We’ve had no snow yet as of the 10th of November, but just to the north of us, Juneau already has a couple of inches. Temperatures here are still ranging between the mid 30’s to lower 40’s (degrees Fahrenheit.)

During this typically wet season, one of the most exciting occurrences (at least for me) is the return of the whales to the eastern part of Frederick Sound. They forage on the immense build-up of krill which happens this time of the year, and the whales hang out here through December. Toni and I have been enjoying watching their deep diving and infrequent breaches right out in front of our home. It’s fantastic to listen to their heavy breaths, and their occasional calls and “trumpet blasts” day and night. In fact, it’s not at all uncommon to wake up and hear (or be awakened by) their vocalizing at any time during the night.

This year we have also been treated to the sight of a terrific number of beautiful ice bergs drifting by the near shoreline, as well watching as they flow into the Wrangell Narrows and on past the boat harbor. The bergs are fun to watch as they float by and occasionally become stranded on the beach out front. But these bergs can move quite quickly with the swift tides and can become a navigational hazard for skiffs and small boats transiting the area. The residents who live on Kupreanof Island across the “Narrows” from Petersburg commute by skiff to and from Petersburg. Now that the days are shorter, they pay extra special heed for these potentially dangerous bergs, especially in the dark.

As I compose this letter listening to the whales, I’m reminded of all that makes life so enjoyable to live here and all else that we need to be thankful for. There is no doubt each one of you has your own pleasant rewards and gratifications that will be remembered at Thanksgiving. Toni and I wish you all the most pleasant times as you share your abundance of reminiscences and gratitude with family and friends at this special time of year.

Sincerely,
Captain Dennis Rogers

PS: I can’t wait to show you all the beauty, wonders and magic of southeast Alaska! Be sure to check out our exciting schedule line up for 2008 and let’s get aboard the Alaska Adventurer! Together, we’ll cruise, explore and discover even more of the Inside Passage!