Report from Alaska: Part II
We have a Part 2!
I read a ton about Alaska before we left, including James Michener’s Alaska (not so thick a book when you read it on your Ipad!). The history of this place is fascinating — from dinosaurs to thriving indigenous communities to the Russian era (furs) to the purchase by the USA (and resulting true wild wild west lawlessness) through the salmon industry, gold rush, World War II battles, to today’s oil industry. This cruise covered a tiny bit of Alaska’s vast country and history. One could easily spend a lifetime exploring it all.
Day 1: Cruising the Hubbard Glacier
Day 1 was perfect for us to get to know our way around the ship and try to get used to the grandeur on display from every window or deck.
As we approached Disenchantment Bay and the “snout” of the Hubbard Glacier, our resident naturalist/guide gave running commentary over the loudspeaker, easily heard on all decks or through the TV in one’s stateroom. The Hubbard is the largest tidewater glacier in North America and is actively surging forward - about 80 feet/year.
The blue color of the glacier was unbelievable and there was much talk amongst the bar tenders aboard about how the glacier ice is ideal for cocktails as it thaws much more slowly than regular ice.
Everyone seemed completely content to just sit in luxe lounges or stand at the rail and look out. I found it strangely emotional to see such a wonder.
Day 2: We docked in the charming town of Sitka
Sitka, which was the Russian capital 1799-1867, has a dome-topped church to prove it. Today there is more evidence of the Tlingit First Nation than the Russian influence, including all kinds of totem poles (more on that in Part III) and crafts.
We went ashore and boarded another smaller boat to explore the bay and saw a ton of wildlife, including elephant seals, otters, minke whales and grey whales! All the excursions had excellent and personable naturalists/guides pointing things out and answering all manner of questions.
Sitka quickly became our favorite Alaskan town.
