Glacier Bay National Park

There are many national parks, preserves and monuments in the federal system under the Department of the Interior. Glacier Bay National Park is one of the jewels of the crown. It is a young park and a young geography for that matter for it did not exist as a place to visit when Captain Vancouver plied these waters just a little over 200 years ago. He saw what would become the place, but to him it was a solid wall of ice miles wide and hundreds of feet high.

Today the National Geographic Sea Bird made her way 65 miles north of where Vancouver saw only ice. We poked our small ship into coves and along the now smaller glaciers that have carved, modified, shaped, and formed the bay. There were numerous wildlife sightings made by the eyes on the bridge and bow; Steller sea lions, puffins, eagles, mountain goats, black bears, brown bears, even a bear playing in the snow. Our additional guide was National Park Ranger Kevin Richards who regailed us with stories of the park's colorful characters and amazing natural history. The wildness of the place though is the most lasting impression. We enjoyed that wildness from the safe bubble of a small expedition ship, but it still affected us for it is a grand place that can stir the soul.