May 28, 2013 Tuesday

Skagway  7am - 8:30pm.

Clear and high 11.5c 

We were trying to decide what to do:
4 hour tour including a Chilkoot trail walk and a 40 minute float on the Taiya River, or
5.5 hour jeep adventure into the Yukon.  We did neither. Bad decision now that I look back!

We went for a walk into the city of Skagway. Found an internet cafe that was packed with people.  Paid the $2.50 for 1/2 hour and sat outside in the sun until the time ran out. Internet on the ship is crazy expensive and very slow.  Not worth it.  I will finish blogging when I get home. 

Skagway was crowded with all the people from the 4 cruise ships.  

The exact site and campground where we were 5 years ago.  

Took this train ride on our previous trip as well.
Back on our private balcony at 1 o'clock with a 'drinky'.  Much better than the crowds!

Our 5:30 lovely dinner companions.
Marcel, Alida, Yope (aka Mark Twain), Adrianna, Gary & Fermina. 

Star Princess cruise ship.  Looks identical to ours. 

Bye bye Skagway 

Into the sunset following the 'Star Princess' to Juneau.
We did hit the hot spots on ship again, but without the camera.
What we did, I couldn't tell you. Don't remember without pictures. lol.
Goodnight all. 

May 27, 2013 Monday

Sunny with some clouds today.  High 10c.
After breakfast we went on deck for a spectacular wilderness cruise.
At Bartlett Cove, Glacier Bay Park Rangers embarked for the day to offer narration and describe the magnificent features of Glacier Bay Nation Park. 

Mountain Goats.  Couldn't see them from the ship, but were pointed out to us by the rangers.  Took the pictures, zoomed in, and voila.  Love my camera.  Most of the world’s mountain goats are found in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia.  These creatures are well adapted for extreme winter conditions and have a long, shaggy winter coat. A crest of long, erect hair up to eight or more inches in length runs along the spine, on the rump, and over the shoulders and neck. Long hairs on the legs give the appearance that the goat is wearing pantaloons. 

Cruise ship shows the magnitude of the mountains surrounding us. 

 Reid Glacier Its width is 0.75 miles (1.21 km), rises to a height of 150 feet (46 m) and stretches to a length of 10 miles (16 km)

Reid Glacier with a cruise ship blending in.  

Brown Bear graced us with his presence. As winter approaches, brown bears, often called grizzly bears prepare for a long hibernation.  During the fall, a brown bear eats practically around the clock, stocking up for the four to seven months when it'll have to live off stored body fat.
 A grizzly may chow down on 90 pounds (40 kilograms) of food each day.

Margerie Glacier in the distance.

 Layers of rock debris mixed with ice floating in the water. 

 Margerie Glacier  
extends over a width of about 1 mile (1.6 km) 
and extends upstream for a length of 21 miles (34 km)

Blue ice occurs when snow falls on a glacier, is compressed, and becomes part of a glacier that winds its way toward a body of water (river, lake, ocean, etc.). During its travels, air bubbles that are trapped in the ice are squeezed out, and the size of the ice crystals increases, making it clear.

Total height of 350 feet (110 m), out of which 250 feet (76 m) raises above the water level and 100 feet (30 m) is beneath the water surface. 

Glacier Calving  is the breaking off of chunks of ice at the edge of a glacier. Calving of glaciers is often preceded by a loud cracking or booming sound before blocks of ice up to 60m (200') high break loose and crash into the water. The entry of the ice berg into the water causes large, and often hazardous waves.  In the center is the huge wave after chunks of ice broke off.  We witnessed a lot of calving at the Margerie Glacier. 

 Incredible view of the glacier.  

 

 Calving large chunks of ice with thundering cracks into the sea. 

Lunch break....to share

John Hopkins Inlet  
Harbor Seals have their pups on the icebergs at the end of this strait away from predators like bears and Orca whales.  The inlet is closed to boats in May and June in order to protect the pups.

 Approaching Lamplugh Glacier

The glacier has a width of about 0.75 miles (1.21 km) at the water face. Its rises to height of 150–160 feet (46–49 m) with depth of 10–40 feet (3.0–12 m) at the waterline. It stretches to over 16 miles (26 km).  Small waterfall in the center. 

Today's high again 10c.

After dinner we hit the wild life again.
Entertainer and instrumentalist Ryan Ahern.  Amazing piano player.   

In The Piazza singing and dancing. 

Then off to the Explorer's Lounge for a classic:  Biggest liar!  It was hilarious. 

May 26, 2013 Sunday

                       We woke up to a rainy day, but it stopped an hour later.
                   After breakfast we spent time on our balcony watching dolphins.

A picture of them above water this time.  

Another smile for the camera!  Notice the drink beside him?
btw, it is afternoon now. 

Love the balcony.  Thank you Sandi.
Even with only 10c high, it was very warm

The mountain peeking through looks like an old man snoring. 

Stunning scenery as we approach the Hubbard Glacier. 

Hubbard Glacier

The closer we get, the more ice floating in the water. 

Formal dinner night.  Not for us, we went to the buffet.
 Delicious food, lots of fruits and veggies, and desserts. 

End of another glorious day.  

Evenings are for entertainment.
Shows are usually half hour long, then we decide where to go next.  Lots of choices.
Production show 'Do You Wanna Dance'.  Awesome. 

All shows are put on by the Sapphire Princess Singers & Dancers. 

Next, we sat under the stars to watch 'Walk On The Wild Side'.  Just for fun.

First we got served pizza, then cookies and milk, and popcorn.  Good times.