May 18
The Margerie Glacier. . And raining…
We are here for the day and will learn about all of it…65miles from where the first ice field started.
Grand Pacific glacier to the right looks like a huge rock. Glacier moves 7 feet a day, calves unpredictably. This is mountain goat territory. Our ranger, Kevin, is making the most of a very overcast and rainy day pointing out goats, white dots among the rocks and some eagles as well.
With our new quarters we have become recluse, enjoying peace and quiet in our room.
Sitting at meals with Sia, I am reminded of what I used to do, chatter with the passengers sitting with us. The noise in the dining room, between engine and people overwhelms my blasted hearing aids, but I love looking around at the people, mouths moving everywhere and the young staff on the run around the tables.
May 18
Wednesday. Saginaw bay.
Rainy and freezing so we snuggled in our fancy suite and
read our way through the miserable stuff. Annie, the tour
guide has been frustrated with the weather. She was with
us on the ten days of unusual sun the previous week.
May 19
Wednesday…
Red Bluff Bay
We woke up to bright sun in the window. Sia stuck my
name on a skiff tour so I finally agreed and at 10:45
wrapped in jacket, hat and, life jacket I joined the trip. We
had a lot of birders who pointed cameras here there and
everywhere at moving spots. The long lenses came out
and the birds or seals were identified. Since I can’t hold
binoculars and can’t identify the birds… I looked at the
interesting design on the rocks and mountain tops, seeing
dogs and faces.
Lunch and then up goes the anchor and off we go again.
May 20
Thomas bay
A nice day for the six who are willing and insane to take
an all day hike into the wilderness. Shorter hikes and
kayaking and skiff tours are also available.
It is fun to have meals with Sia and Gary. Sia is the people
person I used to be but also pays attention and
remembers places she has been like dad. I find I have
become a people watcher since communication is hard
in a room full of people chatting and the sound of the
ship engine roaring….hearing aids have their faults.
Another day on board with a book… Can’t complain with
our fancy suite.
Watched Sia and Gary try stand up boards and when they
returned Sia asked if she could dive in. Annie said “no” but
if she would hand her the camera, she could fall off the board
on purpose and be photographed. So she did!
….while Annie, the head person held her camera and
photographed it.
May 21
One more day on route back to Juneau. Sia knocks on the
door of our luxurious suite to tell us the whales and dolphins
are greeting us. We move lazily and dress and join the parade to
brunch. Twenty one days of luxury, three
meals a day (though too spicy) and no TV news of the
presidential candidates.
Maybe we will skip the TV when we get home but we will
have to shop and cook and clean with the ever changing
view of our lake. Boo hoo… Life is tough.??
We are south of Tracy arm, Dawes glacier, heading down
Another seemingly endless waterway to spend the last day
Playing with the skiffs kayaks and stands up boards. We will
Probably have the polar plunge by the end of the day.
Sia went in four Times!
Cruising along
Endicott arm
So it is over. Yip yip…. home again. Think I’ll go back to my window
sill and watch the birds.
Let me know when you plan to go somewhere again….Russ
Otter Landing 