Glacier Bay Day
On clear, crisp, and brilliant day, Alaska waited patiently for us to wake from our restful slumber. Coffee in hand, we ventured out to find that the Sea Lion had nestled deep into the arms of Glacier Bay. The sky opened up the morning with streaming pink ribbons woven through the receding stars, slowly illuminating what towered before us. Our eyes looked up directly into the face of John Hopkins Glacier, 200 feet above our small ship.
National Park Ranger, Laura Congdon, shared with us the rich natural history of Glacier Bay. Tracing the voyages of early expeditions we encountered marbled murrelets, tufted puffins, and mountain goats high above us. Humpback whales and orca surfaced from below us. We passed a raft of otters, their inquisitive salty faces bobbing with the swells. We could not see the salmon darting in the stream until the brown bear running after him lifted him triumphantly.
Time was taken before the sun could set to visit Bartlett Cove. Steps away from the dock revealed numerous trails linked by wooden boardwalks. Into the forest we ventured, ocean air gave way to earthy, wooded aromas. The walk, much like the day, was vibrant and enjoyable.
The crew slipped the lines as the Captain set the next heading. We didn’t get far before a hushed announcement filtered through the ship: Black bears on the beach! They were not three little bears, but three ravenous bears foraging along the shoreline for their evening meal. Smiling, we waved good-bye, although they didn’t seem to notice us leave. Yet the day held one more surprise before dinner. Ellie & Walker Johnson had a fun, fabulous, and funny poem to read for us.
Ellie’s Part:
There once was a puffin
Just the shape of a muffin
And he lived on an island
In the deep blue sea
He ate lots of fishes
That were quite delicious
So he had them for supper
And he had them for tea
But that poor little puffin
He couldn’t play nothing’
Walker’s Part:
As he was as lonely
As lonely could be
So said the fishes
You know if you wishes
You can have us for playmates
Instead of tea
Now they all play together
In all kinds of weather
And the puffin eats pancakes
Like you and like me
On clear, crisp, and brilliant day, Alaska waited patiently for us to wake from our restful slumber. Coffee in hand, we ventured out to find that the Sea Lion had nestled deep into the arms of Glacier Bay. The sky opened up the morning with streaming pink ribbons woven through the receding stars, slowly illuminating what towered before us. Our eyes looked up directly into the face of John Hopkins Glacier, 200 feet above our small ship.
National Park Ranger, Laura Congdon, shared with us the rich natural history of Glacier Bay. Tracing the voyages of early expeditions we encountered marbled murrelets, tufted puffins, and mountain goats high above us. Humpback whales and orca surfaced from below us. We passed a raft of otters, their inquisitive salty faces bobbing with the swells. We could not see the salmon darting in the stream until the brown bear running after him lifted him triumphantly.
Time was taken before the sun could set to visit Bartlett Cove. Steps away from the dock revealed numerous trails linked by wooden boardwalks. Into the forest we ventured, ocean air gave way to earthy, wooded aromas. The walk, much like the day, was vibrant and enjoyable.
The crew slipped the lines as the Captain set the next heading. We didn’t get far before a hushed announcement filtered through the ship: Black bears on the beach! They were not three little bears, but three ravenous bears foraging along the shoreline for their evening meal. Smiling, we waved good-bye, although they didn’t seem to notice us leave. Yet the day held one more surprise before dinner. Ellie & Walker Johnson had a fun, fabulous, and funny poem to read for us.
Ellie’s Part:
There once was a puffin
Just the shape of a muffin
And he lived on an island
In the deep blue sea
He ate lots of fishes
That were quite delicious
So he had them for supper
And he had them for tea
But that poor little puffin
He couldn’t play nothing’
Walker’s Part:
As he was as lonely
As lonely could be
So said the fishes
You know if you wishes
You can have us for playmates
Instead of tea
Now they all play together
In all kinds of weather
And the puffin eats pancakes
Like you and like me
