When I checked the weather forecast Wednesday evening the
prediction was 100% chance of rain. When
we woke up, the weather forecasters had it right – it was raining. On top of that it was cold and windy. This was our first real inclement weather of
the trip. As we checked in for our boat tour
of the Kenai Fjords National Park they informed us that if the captain thought
it was unsafe to sail to the glaciers he would return and we would get some of
our money refunded. It wasn’t a promising
beginning.
Our ship’s name was “Glacier Express” run by the Major
Marine Tours Company. We departed on
time at 11:30 am heading south out of Seward on Resurrection Bay with snow
covered mountain peaks on the left on Resurrection Peninsula and more mountains
on our right with clouds obscuring the tops of the peaks. As we neared Fox Island the captain spotted
sea otters and slowed the boat for us to get a better view. A little farther we saw a group of six or
seven orca whales that would occasionally rise up out of the water. The water was getting choppier as well.
As we neared Cheval Island the captain announced that it was
going to get rough as we were approaching the entrance into the Gulf of
Alaska. We did get larger swells but the
captain said it wasn’t as bad as he expected and that we were safe to press
on. We passed No Name Island then turned
north again into the Aialik Bay and into the Holgate Arm. Here the sea was calmer and we were served a
lunch of all-you-can-eat salmon and prime rib.
A park service ranger was on board and she would give us lectures on the
land, glaciers, birds and animals. We
saw puffins, red-necked phalarope and many other sea birds. We also saw Steller seals and harbor seals lying
on rocks of the islands.
Eventually we reached our destination, Holgate Glacier,
where the captain took the boat close in next to the glacier and cut the engine
so we could hear the calving or ice breaking away. The wind was strong and we were cold so we
bundled up with all the sweaters, gloves and coats we brought with us. After everyone took dozens of photos the
captain turned the boat and we headed back the way we had come. As we approached the Chiswell Islands the
captain spotted five or six humpback whales feeding in the area. We watched for some time – one even breached
the water, jumping high and doing a twist before diving down again. I did not get any photos of the humpbacks as
you have to be lucky to be prepared to take a shot when it happens. It was more fun just watching them
anyway.
As we re-entered Resurrection Bay we were served dessert and
while sitting at our table we saw another pod of orca whales swimming alongside
the boat. We finally docked about 6:00
pm and headed back to our hotel. Tomorrow
we board an even bigger ship to sail for a week along the Inside Passage.
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