Glacier Bay National Park
Sunny skies, snow covered peaks and puffins galore; our day in Glacier Bay National Park was nothing short of magnificent. As soon as Park Ranger Jenni Burr joined us at 6 a.m., we cast lines and headed north into this 65-mile long, glacially carved bay. Early risers were treated to views of a few sea otters, some harbor porpoise and gorgeous early light on the mountains. After our breakfast, we arrived at South Marble Island and watched Steller sea lions, tufted puffins, black-legged kittiwakes and even a raven (!) working for theirs. Leaving these raucous rocks was difficult, but the desire to explore prevailed and we continued our passage “upbay.” Poking into Tidal Inlet to scan for bears, watching mama mountain goats with their kids at Gloomy Knob, sipping hot chocolate with Schnapps while cheering the calving of a glacier, basking in the glorious sun; these were the elements of our day. After dinner, we went ashore at Bartlett Cove to stretch our legs on the forest loop trail and enjoy the late evening Alaskan sunset from the deck of the Glacier Bay Lodge. As Ranger Jenni said, the knowledge that wild places such as Glacier Bay are protected and thriving can provide a sense of peace and quiet when we return to our busy lives at home.
Sunny skies, snow covered peaks and puffins galore; our day in Glacier Bay National Park was nothing short of magnificent. As soon as Park Ranger Jenni Burr joined us at 6 a.m., we cast lines and headed north into this 65-mile long, glacially carved bay. Early risers were treated to views of a few sea otters, some harbor porpoise and gorgeous early light on the mountains. After our breakfast, we arrived at South Marble Island and watched Steller sea lions, tufted puffins, black-legged kittiwakes and even a raven (!) working for theirs. Leaving these raucous rocks was difficult, but the desire to explore prevailed and we continued our passage “upbay.” Poking into Tidal Inlet to scan for bears, watching mama mountain goats with their kids at Gloomy Knob, sipping hot chocolate with Schnapps while cheering the calving of a glacier, basking in the glorious sun; these were the elements of our day. After dinner, we went ashore at Bartlett Cove to stretch our legs on the forest loop trail and enjoy the late evening Alaskan sunset from the deck of the Glacier Bay Lodge. As Ranger Jenni said, the knowledge that wild places such as Glacier Bay are protected and thriving can provide a sense of peace and quiet when we return to our busy lives at home.
