Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 137

Sam and Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 137

Alaska

6/26/09 – Valdez, Alaska – Glacier Tour  (cont.)

We started the return trip – but it wasn’t over yet.  We got close to some islands and saw a huge eagle’s nest in the trees, about 2/3 of the way up.  Two eagles were perched above it, making sure we left things as we found it.  We then headed for more open water to look for whale.  The weather had turned warm, the water had remained very calm and the hump-back whales were wanting to show off.  At least five were sighted and one picked us to admire him.  He came up and played, then dived – showing his tail ‘fluke’ four times.  I got good pictures of two and Sam got at least one more. They are such special creatures.  We wished we could have seen a killer whale, but we did get to see two more hump back whales play. 

Tail Wave

We were taken to an area that normally has a population of both black and white puffins and the horned puffins with the little bit of yellow, both with big orange beaks.  They are much smaller then the ‘close up’ pictures make them.  I had a hard time even seeing them.  So did Sam.  We did catch glimpses and some of the other tourists with fast cams, got some pictures.  We then headed back in earnest.  The porpoise caught up and they were given their turn to show us their best.  Such big, healthy animals.  Sam caught pictures of their splashing, but they stayed mostly just under the water.  My pictures did not turn out – but I will remember them. 

Blue Ice

We were served a very good clam chowder and spent the rest of the trip watching the wildlife and scenery.  One area of multiple small islands are used by boaters who need to rest but do not need to re-supply.  There were two small boats and one larger one tied up in the ‘coves’ of the islands, but there are no beaches or land use.  Just safe moorage.  The captain tells us about the Exxon Valdez wreck and the version that local Valdezians believe is the closest to the truth.  Very interesting.  Only about a tenth of the oil was actually cleaned up. I may try and learn more. We made it back to the dock very close to 7 pm.  It was still very sunny – a glorious day. 

Famous Falls

Every second was worth the cost of this trip.  Everything we experienced was fabulous and I am unable to tell you what made it that way – or if something was different, if we would have felt different.  I think that the weather, as in lack of rain, helped. Otherwise, I think that if we only saw the icebergs and Meares Glacier we would have been in awe.  With every second so filled with beauty and nature at it’s best – we are hooked.  We will be back.  It will draw us here. 

Most Awesome!

We reluctantly leave the boat and head back to our beautiful camp spot at the side of the sound.  The fishermen camped in tents near us, caught some and cleaned them down by the water (low-tide).  The seagulls and eagles were circling, waiting to get the best morsels.  I got the best picture of an eagle.  He ended up getting a fish head and flying away.  We plan to sleep in tomorrow.