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The morning begins like most…with coffee. Unlike most of my mornings however, I’m sipping my caffeine in front of the grey, moody, Alaskan landscape, of Glacier Bay National Park, instead of my grey, moody, office cubicle.
When we planned our trip to Alaska, seeing a glacier was at the top of my wish list. So you can imagine my excitement on this Monday morning, when I open my Uncruise cabin door, to discover our ship is floating in front of a giant body of dense ice.
My greedy eyes eat up the view, as I sip my coffee. I wish every Monday started like this.
At breakfast, we receive some disappointing news. Due to an issue (I believe it had to do with tides, but I’m not 100% sure), we will not be able to kayak in front of a glacier as planned.
There is a lot of initial grumbling, as this is one of the main selling activities for the cruise. Since Dan Blanchard told us during our opening talk, to throw our itineraries away, I’ve had no expectations. I’m just as thrilled with the back-up activity. Instead of hanging out in front of one glacier, we’ll visit several of Glacier Bay’s glaciers throughout the day.
The glaciers we visit are immense. They are stunning. I’m endlessly fascinated by the swirls of blue, black, and white. It’s like the mother nature version of a Van Gogh painting. I could spend all day being hypnotized by glacier swirls.
The atmosphere is still, until the quiet is interrupted by the rumble and crack of calving. Huge chunks of ice break, tumbling with a splash, into the water below. Of course, nature has a sense of humor. Passengers, me included, stand for what feels like an eternity, fingers hovering over the photo button, waiting for an amazing capture. Then, thinking there will be no more calving, the cameras are powered off, just seconds before another calving occurs.
picture courtesy of Uncruise Adventures
As we cruise from glacier to glacier, the scenery along the way captivates. Caves burrow through mountain faces, that are being worn away by relentless waterfalls.
Chelsea, a Glacier Bay National Park Ranger, spends the day on our ship. She is bright, funny, and passionate. Chelsea gives several talks about Glacier Bay National Park throughout the day, and hangs out on deck to answer any and all questions.
Chelsea also helps us get our very first National Parks stamp in our National Parks Passport Book.
Glacier gazing commenced. The ship sets out on a wildlife viewing voyage.
To keep things lively, the Adventure Guides have contests and games.
We play Bear or Rock?
High Goat/Low Goat.
There’s a contest to be the first to spot a particular species of puffin. The winner receives a special Park Ranger pin.
Everyone is very jealous of Kurt for the rest of the day.
Noisy barks echo around us as our Uncruise ship passes by islands covered with seals.
After dinner, the boat docks in Bartlett Cove, in Glacier Bay National Park. The Adventure Guides give us a few parameters concerning which areas of the park we can explore, then we’re set loose to wander the trail on our own.
It’s evening, but Alaska’s summer sky makes it feel like it’s barely afternoon.
We follow paths through moss covered trees that lead to glossy black waters.
The scenery in this part of Glacier Bay National Park, feels like being snuggled by a cozy, green, blanket.
A quick look at the giant whale skeleton, and it’s time to make our way back to the ship.
As if this day couldn’t get better, Glacier Bay National Park bids us farewell with a sparkling sunset.
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Comments are closed.
Michelle M
atWow, your photographs of the mountains are absolutely stunning. So dreamy! It looks like you had an awesome trip.
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atThanks! Alaska was amazingly dreamy.
Andy
atBear or rock was my favorite 🙂
What an amazing adventure – cool photos! And not just cool in a dad joke way. Although, also that.
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atThanks! I was particularly bad at Bear or Rock. I wanted every rock to be a bear, except when we went kayaking as I imagined the bears wanting to jump in our kayak with us.
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
atWow. I flew over Glacier Bay National Park a few years ago. It was stunning. We got to look down on all the cruise ships and the glaciers – of course. I would love to go back and see the glaciers from the water this time.
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atWow! Flying over sounds like a super cool experience. I would have loved to have seen the same scene from above. It’s a wonderful park.
Rachel
atI enjoyed the way your post was laid out, it really allowed me to picture you in those surroundings and made the post not only informative but also engaging 🙂 thanks for sharing!
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atThanks for reading!
Erin | The Epicurean Traveler
atI would love to see the glaciers in Alaska someday. I mean, what a way to start your day with a cup of coffee and that stunning view! So much better than your cubicle at work! #WeekendWanderlust
Lisa | Handmade in Israel
atHow incredible! You may have been jealous of Kurt but I am jealous of your whole trip! What a way to drink your morning coffee!
#WeekendWanderlust
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net)
atLove this – and the timing is perfect. We’ve been debating whether to go on an Alaska cruise for some time, and are up to the point of trying to sort out which cruise line to take. Looks like you had a fab time with UnCruise, and we hear lots of good reviews. Having the Ranger on board is awesome, and it looks like there weren’t a dozen other ships crowding in – that’s a bonus, for sure! Thanks for sharing on #WeekendWanderlust.
Mary {The World Is A Book}
atGlacier Bay NP is just spectacular. I love the photos you captured of the landscape, wildlife and glaciers. We have done two Alaska cruises on the bigger ships and passed through Glacier Bay NP. It was always a highlight to stand in front of the glaciers and witness the calving process. One of those cruises we saw a few whales. I like that your Uncruise ship is smaller and you actually got the chance to go on land and explore part of the park.
Victoria Marie Lees
atAbsolutely love it, Sarah! We’ve seen some glaciers in the Jasper area in the Canadian Rockies. They are truly awesome. We’ve even seen icebergs floating by Newfoundland in the icy Atlantic Ocean. Like I said in your most recent Alaska post, my husband and I need to see Alaska. Thanks for another great post! I’ve shared this post, too.