Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley
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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Glacier Bay National Park

Since the ferry terminal at Gustavus has severe limitations on RVs and there are no RV campgrounds, we booked rooms at the Glacier Bay Lodge, left the rigs in Juneau, took just the Jeeps over to Gustavus and drove over to the lodge.
 
Barbara and I had been to Glacier Bay once before 32 years ago aboard a small overnight excursion vessel.  On that earlier visit, we had unusually clear weather.  We expected to get the typically wet Southeast Alaska weather for this visit, but were delighted to get another couple of days of clear skies.

Panorama of Bartlett Cove by the Glacier Bay Lodge.



The land around the lodge is temperate rainforest with some nice hiking trails.



Mushroom highrise



The day after we arrived we had booked an all day Glacier Bay excursion on a concession run catamaran tour boat.
 
 
It wasn't long before our first wildlife was spotted.
 
 

And the scenery was fantastic


Was passed a favorite haul-out spot for sea lions




Common Murres


Watchful Bald Eagle


Nesting Kittiwakes


Immature Bald Eagle


Pigeon Guillemot


Tufted Puffins




Ongoing great scenery



After first spotting a group of mountain goats that was too far away for photography, the captain found a small group that was much closer.





"What did I get myself into?"


Grand Pacific Glacier at north end of Tarr Inlet in Glacier Bay


Our only killer whale sighting.


After spotting this brown bear (grizzly), the captain eased the boat up quietly enough that the bear pretty much ignored our presence.









A cruise ship visiting Margerie Glacier


Margerie Glacier


Splash from ice calving off Margerie Glacier


This kayak group from an excursion boat was exploring in the ice near Margerie Glacier.


Seals hauled out on an ice floe.


More scenery



This Humpback Whale must have been swimming on its back to have both pectoral flippers out of the water.


Some whale tail slapping action



We saw more Seat Otters on our way back.



2 comments:

  1. We're loving your stuff, and REALLY wishing we were with you all. D.C. was great, but no match for what you're seeing. But, hey! We want more pics of you all and your camping! -- Jon & Loni (at home, with Mom, waiting to go to our annual family camp near Tahoe later this month)

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  2. Awesome.. photos you have uploaded and i would like to suggest you to share contents related to Glacier Bay Catamarans.

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