Tracy Arm – Ford’s Terror Wilderness Area
Our first full day of discovering the wilderness of Southeast Alaska was mind-blowing. Awakening near South Sawyer Glacier, we acquired our first look at a tidewater glacier. We assembled on the bow, coffee and hot chocolate in hand, and took in the stunning landscape surrounding the Sea Lion. Towering cliff sides, humongous icebergs, and snow-covered mountains were a fantastic morning surprise.
After breakfast we lowered Sea Lion’s fleet of Zodiacs for a closer look at the ice and glaciers. The grandness of the glacier was quickly felt, either by the coolness in the air or the powerful force in which ice tumbles to the sea below. We explored the area, looking at the mammoth pieces of ice floating in the water. Colors of the bergs ranged from baby blue, to the darkest azure, to perfectly clear.
After lunch the Sea Lion met up with two Ford’s Terror Wilderness Rangers. The rangers came aboard and described the work they were devoted to: counting the harbor seal population. After spending time at the Sawyer Glacier, we turned around and made our way back down the fjord. During the afternoon we could enjoy the splendid scenery. With numerous waterfalls cascading down the soaring cliff walls, the views were breathtaking. The dissipating clouds and the late afternoon sun provided the perfect combination for vivid rainbows. The brilliant colors stretched across the sky as the rainbow arched directly in front of us. Later in the afternoon, three black bears were spotted on the shoreline. A mama bear with her two young cubs explored the water’s edge.
The evening proved to be just as special. Just before dinner a humpback whale was spotted ahead of the ship. We hurried from recap and rushed to the bow, in time to watch the whale surface frequently and then dive back down into the water. After dessert, to round out the evening, more whales were spotted off the bow. Again we watched the humpbacks in their natural environment surfacing close to the ship. What a day! Who could have imagined such a wonderful start to our voyage – discovering all of what Southeast Alaska has to offer? I think it is easy to say, “We have found our pot of gold.”
Our first full day of discovering the wilderness of Southeast Alaska was mind-blowing. Awakening near South Sawyer Glacier, we acquired our first look at a tidewater glacier. We assembled on the bow, coffee and hot chocolate in hand, and took in the stunning landscape surrounding the Sea Lion. Towering cliff sides, humongous icebergs, and snow-covered mountains were a fantastic morning surprise.
After breakfast we lowered Sea Lion’s fleet of Zodiacs for a closer look at the ice and glaciers. The grandness of the glacier was quickly felt, either by the coolness in the air or the powerful force in which ice tumbles to the sea below. We explored the area, looking at the mammoth pieces of ice floating in the water. Colors of the bergs ranged from baby blue, to the darkest azure, to perfectly clear.
After lunch the Sea Lion met up with two Ford’s Terror Wilderness Rangers. The rangers came aboard and described the work they were devoted to: counting the harbor seal population. After spending time at the Sawyer Glacier, we turned around and made our way back down the fjord. During the afternoon we could enjoy the splendid scenery. With numerous waterfalls cascading down the soaring cliff walls, the views were breathtaking. The dissipating clouds and the late afternoon sun provided the perfect combination for vivid rainbows. The brilliant colors stretched across the sky as the rainbow arched directly in front of us. Later in the afternoon, three black bears were spotted on the shoreline. A mama bear with her two young cubs explored the water’s edge.
The evening proved to be just as special. Just before dinner a humpback whale was spotted ahead of the ship. We hurried from recap and rushed to the bow, in time to watch the whale surface frequently and then dive back down into the water. After dessert, to round out the evening, more whales were spotted off the bow. Again we watched the humpbacks in their natural environment surfacing close to the ship. What a day! Who could have imagined such a wonderful start to our voyage – discovering all of what Southeast Alaska has to offer? I think it is easy to say, “We have found our pot of gold.”
