The most remote place in Alaska…

 The most remote place in Alaska…

Matthew Island

September 6, 2022

Our itinerary has changed. Instead of visiting the remote outpost if St. Paul, we’re heading 350 nautical miles southwest of Nome to Matthew Island, said to be the most remote place in Alaska. A Coast Guard base was established there during WWII, but now it has no people, no trees (it is  above the latitudinal tree line), just red fox and voles and lots of birds, mostly migratory. There is one endemic species that is found nowhere else, the McKay Bunting. This has the birders all aquiver. Myrta’s assignment is to photograph puffins. 

Our cruise is a hybrid of pure adventure and more accessible activities. The Discovery Team is quite excited that today’s activities are firmly in the Adventure column. MI is reached by Zodiacs, with a “wet landing.” Passengers are fitted with big rubber boots to handle the wet landing and advised to wear waterproof pants and jackets. (Oops. No have got.) There’s a choice of the long hike, five miles over tundra  in two hours, the moderate hike, just two miles and finally the just wander around at your own pace or kayaking. 

I chickened out (chasing whales in the Gulf of Alaska in a Zodiac 15 years ago was enough for me) but Myrta and Jim tugged on their boots, boarded a Zodiac and off they went. I snapped photos of them from the sun deck way up on top (10th floor). It wasn’t raining but it was about 40 F so they stayed only about an hour or so, Myrta photographing various birds, including puffins, Jim poking around the rocky shoreline collecting trash that had washed up from who knows where. 

The ship is fitted with a myriad of high tech systems including one that uses the engine, thrusters and GPS to hold the ship in one spot without using an anchor and disturbing the ocean floor. It’s so effective that we were all surprised that we weren’t anchored. It also has very efficient stabilizers that keep her steady in rolling seas and a power system that makes the engine nearly silent. You have no sense of movement unless you look out a window and see the ocean slipping by. 

Everyone was back aboard by dinner time and once the Zodiacs were stored away we were off, headed to Dutch Harbor, in the Aleutians 500 nautical miles away. We’ll have a day at sea tomorrow , arriving there Thursday morning. 

Tonight we ate at Elements, the main dining room. Another beautiful, contemporary space and more delicious food. We all chose a different risotto with an variety of vegetable preparations to share and then rewarded ourselves with a little something something from the dessert menu. 

Everyone seems to be settling in to this very comfortable and gracious life on board.