On our last day at sea, we are going to cruise the Hubbard Glacier, and the party was to start in the Observation Lounge at 7 am. I told David that since I was rising early with the sun, I would go up there and save him a seat. As the night before had been rather rocky, I was not sure if I could do this, but after a dramamine took hold, I was in bed fairly early.
Perhaps too early, since I woke, looked at the clock, saw it was 6 ish and thought I would get up and take a shower. After the shower, I looked harder at the clock and saw it was only 4:30, yes, 4:30 am, and there I was ready for the day. Sigh - closed the curtain and went back for a nap.
So, a little information about this glacier, from our cruise ship notes, Passages:
"the Hubbard Glacier is an icy tongue with its root on Mt. Logan on Yukon Territory, The vast Hubbard icefield originates near 15,300-foot Mt. Hubbard and flows 76 miles to lick the sea at Yakutat and Disenchantment bays. With its 400 foot snout, Hubbard Glacier is also a prime pausing point for cruise ships. Hubbard cave great sumbers of icebergs, making it difficult to get close. There are no roads to the glacier. And unless you are a seasoned mountaineer with ice experience, Hubbard Glacier is no shore excursion."
The lounge was relatively uncrowded when I got up there at 6:30 having stopped to make a coffee with espresso shot, only to find a continental breakfast set up for the early birds. David got there by 7:30 for his up close and personal seat in front of the large windows and the show began. The Glacier was spectacular, and once we got as close as we could, the captain did some lovely pirouettes with the ship for up close and personal viewing. We were able to see some calving on the glacier that morning, very spectacular to see the ice falling into the water.
We also had a special treat in that two guests of our resident naturalists, members of the local Yakutat Indians, had boarded the ship early in the morning, to give us some of their local history. One of them is a local artist and she brought a sampling of her crafts, which were offered for sale later that morning. I purchased a very lovely beaded bracelet, which will be a very special souvenir of this trip.
Our Hubbard Glacier experience was over by late morning, and we had just one more afternoon and evening left at sea. After a final leisurely lunch and a walk around the upper deck track (11 laps = 1 mile), we decided we would have a final treat at afternoon tea. More on that later.
Comments (7)
Had to laugh at your early riser story...love the bracelet and the photos. What a grand trip. Will look forward to hearing more.
Posted by Barb Cabot | June 27, 2009 3:15 PM
Posted on June 27, 2009 15:15
I love your photos, Marcia.
Posted by candi | June 28, 2009 11:40 AM
Posted on June 28, 2009 11:40
I love that bracelet! And the glacier is so beautiful. I'm really enjoying your posts.
Posted by Annie | June 29, 2009 6:04 AM
Posted on June 29, 2009 06:04
I would love to see this glacier. That bracelet is beautiful. It's nice to get local momentos of your trip like this. And waking up at 4:30 can happen when it's basically light all night. Well, I guess that area is further south than us, so it might have gotten dark at night afterall.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | June 29, 2009 10:20 AM
Posted on June 29, 2009 10:20
Just last night my youngest was talking about the Hubbard--he considered it the highlight of our Alaska cruise. Glad you've enjoyed the trip!
Posted by Amy | July 5, 2009 8:04 AM
Posted on July 5, 2009 08:04
Beautiful photos, Marcia! This must have been a wonderful experience.
Posted by sandrac | July 8, 2009 6:29 PM
Posted on July 8, 2009 18:29
How cool to get to see this glacier! Beautiful bracelet.
Posted by girasoli | August 16, 2009 9:01 PM
Posted on August 16, 2009 21:01