Glacier Bay National Park
Alaska; the mere thought of this word brings to many people’s mind a definition of wilderness, remoteness and ruggedness. Today we got to experience Alaska to the widest extent of its meaning.
Early in the morning our local park ranger embarked the National Geographic Sea Lion at Bartlett Cove. We sailed into the fjord that leads into Glacier Bay National Park. Here we could see a wide variety of animals. Early in the morning sea otters and Steller’s sea lions playfully broke the water’s surface as black-legged kittiwakes and Glaucous-winged gulls flew above. Tufted Puffins were also present, flying around and swimming in pairs.
As we approached the glacier-scraped mountains, a black bear was seen as it grazed on the vegetation of the steep fjord. Two brown bears and later several mountain goats with kids were seen from the ship as we cruised looking for wildlife along the shoreline.
Being in the proximity of a glacier of great magnitude is very difficult to describe. Pictures and videos reflect images and a vague idea of what they are like in reality. The power of these geological monuments can only be felt by being there. We could experience Margerie Glacier in front of us, cracking and calving as it inadvertently broke off and splashed in the water. Grand Pacific Glacier stood still on one side, dark brown at its terminus, as if it was a solid earth barrier that separated interminable ice fields from the ocean.
We had the chance to disembark at Bartlett Cove after dinner to explore the wilderness one more time. Here some of the naturalists led an aerobic hike on the well-groomed trails of the national park. Others strolled to Glacier Bay Lodge. Since sunset took place at ten o‘clock at night, we took advantage of the long day light hours to extend our already outstanding day.
Alaska; the mere thought of this word brings to many people’s mind a definition of wilderness, remoteness and ruggedness. Today we got to experience Alaska to the widest extent of its meaning.
Early in the morning our local park ranger embarked the National Geographic Sea Lion at Bartlett Cove. We sailed into the fjord that leads into Glacier Bay National Park. Here we could see a wide variety of animals. Early in the morning sea otters and Steller’s sea lions playfully broke the water’s surface as black-legged kittiwakes and Glaucous-winged gulls flew above. Tufted Puffins were also present, flying around and swimming in pairs.
As we approached the glacier-scraped mountains, a black bear was seen as it grazed on the vegetation of the steep fjord. Two brown bears and later several mountain goats with kids were seen from the ship as we cruised looking for wildlife along the shoreline.
Being in the proximity of a glacier of great magnitude is very difficult to describe. Pictures and videos reflect images and a vague idea of what they are like in reality. The power of these geological monuments can only be felt by being there. We could experience Margerie Glacier in front of us, cracking and calving as it inadvertently broke off and splashed in the water. Grand Pacific Glacier stood still on one side, dark brown at its terminus, as if it was a solid earth barrier that separated interminable ice fields from the ocean.
We had the chance to disembark at Bartlett Cove after dinner to explore the wilderness one more time. Here some of the naturalists led an aerobic hike on the well-groomed trails of the national park. Others strolled to Glacier Bay Lodge. Since sunset took place at ten o‘clock at night, we took advantage of the long day light hours to extend our already outstanding day.
