Whittier, Alaska - 15 June 2016

Today was disembarkation day for our northbound cruise and embarkation day for the southbound cruise. Everyone else was busy getting off the ship or standing in line to get on. We, on the other hand, walked off the ship and went down the dock to take another catamaran cruise. This one was billed as the 26 glacier cruise. I did not keep track and was not able to remember the names of the many glaciers we saw. I just know that we saw beautiful country and a lot of wild life.

The catamaran traveled a total of 140 miles over several hours. We revisited part of College Fjord and then went into Harriman Fjord to visit Surprise Glacier. Again, the weather was spectacular – we have been so blessed on these small boat tours to have amazing weather.

This tour was unique in the number of bald eagles and otters that we saw.  We saw several spouts from humpback whales, but they were never close enough to snap a photo. I guess I am going to have to go to Hawaii some January/February to hope to get a glimpse of a breaching humpback whale.

When we got back, we had a bit of adventure getting back on the Princess ship. I did not have my room key when we got off, just our cards that identified us as in-transit passengers and our passports. Security double checked my id and ok’ed me to exit the ship – they told us that new card keys would be waiting for us when we returned. In looking back, I should just have gone back to our room and found my room key.  Trying to get back on the ship proved to be difficult. The security fellow passed Russ, but would not let me on. After several minutes of telling him that I did indeed belong on the ship, he contacted someone else who was able to bring my new room key. Then all was well.  We made a point of thanking him for being so diligent in his duties.  Made me feel more secure that no one was getting on that ship that did not belong there.

We left Whittier about 8 pm.  We definitely are in the land of the midnight sun – it feels like it is about 5 pm.  Even at sunset, which was somewhere around 10:52 pm that night, the twilight kept up for at least 2 more hours. Difficult to adjust to – I did not want to go to bed.

This is the icefield and glacier overlooking Whittier. During one particularly bad winter, an expedition of residents had to climb up and over this to the Turnagain Arm side so they could get to Anchorage and get supplies for the town.

Headed out into Prince Williams Sound toward the Chugach Mountains.

This area, Egg Rocks, is known for good sightings of orcas and humpbacks. We didn't see any, but were entertained by the eagle pair that were trying to mingle with the seabirds.

Started seeing more and more eagles. It is nearing fishing season, so they are gathering to get their share of the salmon.

The first of many glaciers. This is one in the College Fjords. A little different perspective from a 3 deck catamaran compared to a 15 deck high ship.

Otters are pretty curious creatures and don't seem to mind us approaching, at least up to a certain distance.

 

They average 6 feet long. The ranger had a pelt on board for us to touch - so soft and thick!

This eagle seemed to be surveying his kingdom from the comfort of his ice throne.

The ice was so blue - we were treated to a few calvings. The captain actually turned off the engines and we were able to enjoy the quiet of the wilderness, or at least as quiet as 160 people will be.

When groups of otters gather together, it is known as a raft of otters.  What a hoot!

This created quite a boom when it let loose.

Otters spend a lot of time floating on their backs. Their tummies serve as their dinner table as well as nursery for their young ones.

The waterfalls from the melting glaciers were all over - hundreds of them!

The glaciers appear so much taller from a boat that is only 7 feet or so from water level.

A kittywake rookery just across the harbor from the cruise terminal. They like to nest next to fresh waterfalls because the fresh water attracts fish making their fishing easier.