May 16 — Glacier Bay

No events or activities were scheduled during our 10-hour visit to Glacier Bay National Park. Some Park Rangers came out to our ship in a small boat and climbed a short rope ladder to board the ship.

The rangers quickly got to work. They presented a program in the theater, set up a Junior Ranger program for kids, and provided live commentary from the bridge for 4 hours. Ranger Steve was the lead ranger, and he did an awesome job talking about glaciers, pointing out wildlife, and throwing facts at us faster than I could absorb them all.

Some folks from Alaska Geographic also came on board with the Park Rangers and set up a little gift shop.

Marble Island

We slowly sailed past Marble island, where I was able to see (and hear) dozens of sea lions.

The broad valley once inhabited by the Tlingit of Hoonah now lies under the waters of Glacier Bay, but you can imagine how it nestled in between the mountains.

Today, interesting icebergs occupy the valley.

A number of glaciers are hunkered down at the ends of the inlets that merge to form Glacier Bay. We spent most of the day visiting these remote glaciers. Captain Tuvo sailed as close as he safely could to see these icy giants. Then he slowly turned the ship in circles so people could see everything from their own balconies, from the open decks, or from some of the indoor spaces that offered excellent views.

Margerie Glacier

Mountain Goats and Lamplugh Glacier

Johns Hopkins Glacier

Fun Fact

What is “a glacial pace”?

Margerie Glacier moves about 6 feet per day. (Other glaciers move at different speeds.)

What a day! Our time in Glacier Bay passed so quickly. It was such a privilege to be able to visit this wild place.