“And so we arrive in Glacier Bay, a land reborn, a world returning to life, a living lesson in resilience. If ever we needed a place to intrigue and inspire us, to help us see all that is possible in nature and in ourselves, this is it.”
This is the quote the ranger used to start our Glacier Bay boat tour today. As I sit writing this post in the lounge of the lodge I can say the quote is perfect and our ranger guide Caitlin Campbell was enthusiastic, entertaining and and very knowledgeable.
Today we learned that only 10,000 of the 500,000 people that visit Glacier Bay National Park each year touch land and take the National Park Service small boat tour. The rest are on cruise ships. We also heard multiple times today that our weather was unusual. The sun was shining and we could see the Fairweather Range where all the glaciers are formed. The Fairweathers are giant peaks on the horizon. The tallest peak is more than 1000 feet taller than any peaks in the lower forty-eight states.
Our boat tour started at 7:30 am. We saw so many animals: sea otters, tufted puffins, hump back whales, harbor seals, sea lions, a wolf!, a porcupine and bald eagles.
We learned that in 1780 the glaciers extended all the way to what is now the mouth of the bay. Today we had to go about fifty miles up the bay to get to the glaciers. But the glaciers…. Wow! Beautiful, Big, Awe inspiring!
On the boat Duke did the activities required to qualify as a Junior Ranger. He was inducted as a by our Ranger Guide. I’m so proud of him! Now he he keeps reminding me that he has the badge so he is knowledgeable and in charge!
We got back from our boat tour about 3:00 and then did a hike called the Bartlett River Trail. The forest here is moss covered and seems magical.
Finally we had salmon and beer for dinner in the lodge overlooking Bartlett Cove. What a perfect day!
Marion's Blog 
Sounds fabulous! See you soon!
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Can’t wait!
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