DAY 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6(i) & 6(ii) | 7 | 8
DAY 6
- PART 1
JUNE 7, 2001
- GLACIER BAY
Margerie & Grand Pacific Glaciers
Sunrise/Sunset: 0403 - 2207
"Visitors have been coming to Alaska since the 1880's to see Glacier Bay. The writings of naturalist John Muir painted vivid pictures of a place where the history of the ice ages would be revealed before their eyes. Here, massive glaciers stretch from the ice-draped St. Elias and Fairweather mountain ranges to sit at the end of majestic fjords. Tidewater glaciers are rare in the world. With a perfect recipe of ocean, mountain height and precipitation, we are graced with a dozen of them in Glacier Bay."
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<< Another beautiful morning in Alaska sailing up Tarr Inlet... can you spot the glacier? |
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Our first glimpse of what's to come in Glacier Bay... Awesome! >> |
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<< Little icebergs lead the way to the glaciers. |
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Another glacier teaser. It only gets better! >> |
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<< Critters and creatures everywhere >> |  |
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<< Nature at its finest. Absolutely stunning >> |  |
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<< These so-called "mini-icebergs" are actually the size of a car... the ship moves VERY slowly |
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Stunning scenery flanks Glacier Bay >> |
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<< Low clouds and calm waters as the ship sails into picture-perfect Glacier Bay |
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More mini-icebergs... The excitement mounts! Everyone breathlessly awaits... >> |
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<< "(Margerie) Glacier... right ahead!" |
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Wow! The Grand Pacific Glacier >> |
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As the ship sails closer and closer towards Margerie Glacier, she slowly unfolds with all her majesty... with a stunning backdrop of snow-capped peaks, still water, and cloudy skies. It was a picture perfect day at Glacier Bay |
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As we waited patiently for pieces of ice to break off from the glaciers to create icebergs (a process known as calving), we spot a cave in the glacier! |
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One last look at good ol' Margerie... |
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Calving is the thunderous phenomenon that occurs when salt water melts the glacier's snout and huge pieces of ice crack off the face. The Margerie and Johns Hopkins Glaciers are so 'active', cruise ships generally approach no closer than 1/4 mile. At this distance however, it is still possible to see icebergs being born. |
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<< Finally! A substantial chunk of Margerie breaks off and crashes into the ocean with a thunderous roar! |
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Majestic mountains... *sigh* >> |
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