Glacier Bay National Park

“A national park is not a playground. It’s a sanctuary for nature and for humans who will accept nature on nature’s own terms.” ~ Michael Frome

 September 28, 2021

By the time we woke this morning, we were already cruising in a national park. 

We're naturally early risers, but we especially didn't want to lounge about because...well, we might just miss something wonderful. The buffet had barely opened when we popped in to grab a quick breakfast and then head back to our balcony. An Alaskan cruise is cold enough at the end of September that our balcony isn't used much, but today is the exception.

And the early birds caught...the whale! 

We were able to see a full breach and then huge sprays of water as the big body slapped the calm surface. The fellow on the verandah next to ours was exclaiming "Oh, Oh, OH!" as if someone had just dropped a bucket of ice water on his head. Of course, it all happened too quickly for us to catch with a camera, and in fact, I can't tell you for sure what species it was, but it thrilled my heart to see it. 

In fact, we didn't capture much in the way of photos because we were so intent on actually looking at this amazing place. Otters huddled on an iceberg in one place. My parents saw several eagles. We saw a few seals, though not anything like the entire island covered with sea lions as we sailed past in 2017 on the Holland American Eurodam. 

But part of the charm of Alaska for me is enjoying mountains while still being at sea level. 

The day was very cold and gray, but we had no rain, thank you, God. 

Much is made about glaciers being in retreat as if it's a bad thing, but because some (though not all) of the glaciers are not pushing as far out into the waters of Glacier Bay as they used to, several species of animals and plants have reclaimed the area. And in fact, the Tlingit people are claiming the mouth of the inlet as their ancestral homeland, the one glaciers ran them out of years ago. 

This afternoon, after we leave Glacier Bay and head toward Juneau, the DH and I plan to go to the Kincaid exhibit with Mom, #2 Daughter and Nephew. I don't know much about Thomas Kincaid as an artist, though I do have one of his prints. This is billed as an exhibit, not an auction, though I enjoy those too. 

Don’t know what we’ll do after supper. No real entertainment options that jump out at me. Since we rose so early, we may call it an evening in. That's one of the loveliest things about cruising. You can do anything or nothing and it's equally good.

The DH is always so proud of his panoramic shots. This was an especially good one!

More soon...