Glacier Bay

Unfortunately there was no internet connection while we were in the Bay, so this entry is a day late!
Temp. 14-degrees
Very calm water because of the Bay
Overcast

Considering how much rain and fog this part of Alaska usually gets, we consider ourselves very lucky that we have had no rain.
250-years ago, Glacier Bay was all Glaciers and no Bay. A massive river of ice, roughly 100-miles long and thousands of feet deep. Now what remains are rivers of ice (that upclose look like deep, blue crevices almost like crumpled up paper!) that stretch over and between mountain ridges until they meet the green tidewater, calving building-sized icebergs with thunderous cracks into the sea. 'Calving' is the term used when the ice breaks off. We were witness to one of these, what a loud boom! Why the blue ice: when the light hits the highly compacted ice, long wavelength colors (reds) are absorbed, while sort wavelength colors (blues) reflect back through the ice to your eyes, thus giving the effect of brilliant blue ice!

The air is cool ice-age air. The water is very still. The Margerie Glacier in Tarr Inlet was breathtaking. I hope I got some good pictures which I will post this Sunday upon my return.

To our surprise (but Joan you knew because you have sailed many times before!), we were invited to the Captains Cocktail Party. Very fancy, lots of fun.

Today is our last full day at sea, we must pack our bags this evening (already over!!). We are currently on our way to College Fjord. Will post more later.