Family Cruise to Alaska

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Friday, 16 June 2006 - Cool, rainy day spent cruising Glacier Bay with dramatic views of towering, retreating glaciers like Reid and Margerie abundant bald eagles on ice flows, whale sightings near the ship, and plenty of photo opportunities. In the evening celebrated Cal's parents' 50th anniversary with a special dinner and cake onboard.

This day was very cool and it rained off and on. We spent the entire day traveling up and then out of Glacier Bay. Up until 200 years ago all the water of the bay was ice. Cpt Vancouver found the icy strait choked with ice in 1794 at that time it was 4000 feet thick. We were going to sail up the bay for several hours. Much of the glacier has melted back.

alaska2006 — The morning in Glacier Bay was cloudy and cool. Imagine all that you see here was a glacier - ice - only 200 years ago.

alaska2006 — Reid Glacier was one of the first we were to see in the bay. It is part of the Brady Icefield.

alaska2006 — Reid Glacier close up.

alaska2006 — This would become a pretty common sight, Bald Eagles sitting on an ice flow.

alaska2006 — Another Bald Eagle on an ice flow - they are everywhere.

alaska2006 — This is the glacier at the head of Glacier Bay - Margerie Glacier. We spent about two hours at the glacier.

alaska2006 — All the photographers wanted to catch a photo of a falling chunk of glacier, called calving. It was pretty hard to catch the ice in the act. Most of the pictures show the splash.

alaska2006 — A close up of Margerie Glacier showing the blue tint from the ice formed under extreme pressure.

alaska2006 — More of the Margerie Glacier close up.

The ship actually did a 360 degree turn so everyone in the ship could have a good view of the glacier.

alaska2006 — John Hopkins Glacier was at the head of another inlet. Glacier Bay had several glaciers but we actually did not see too many as most have retreated to the point they are difficult to see from the ship.

alaska2006 — The wall of Glacier Bay in the fog and rain.

alaska2006 — Another shot of the terrain on the side of the bay.

alaska2006 — As we were leaving Glacier Bay there were a number of whale spottings. These are a few of the shots taken over the next hour as whales appeared around the ship.

alaska2006 — The tail just prior to heading under the water.

alaska2006 — This whale surprised us - right in front of the cruise ship. This picture is taken from the top of the ship looking down 6 stories to the deck on the bow. Just in front of the ship a whale took a dive.

alaska2006 — Liz and her daughter, Mary, relaxing after a hard day looking at glaciers.

alaska2006 — The big event and reason for the trip - to celebrate Cal's parents being together for 50 years. Here is the happy couple Cal and Liz Holman.

alaska2006 — We had a great anniversary dinner in the exclusive dining room on the ship.

alaska2006 — The cake arrives.

alaska2006 — 50 years - quite a while and it takes a special couple.

alaska2006 — The happy couple dances to celebrate the special day.

alaska2006 — The mountains heading north into the Gulf of Alaska.

alaska2006 — Sunset over the open ocean.

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