FABULOUS GLACIER

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Sept 2nd, Thursday must be Valdez, AK

Dick was so excited last night because he planned to go on another 6.5-hour glacial cruise for today. I thought it would be nice but had absolutely no idea that it would be fantastic. This cruise was to the Columbia Glacier plus looking out for the marvelous AK animals. We saw numerous rafts of otters, which are pretty shy animals. Just learned today they rock back and forth on the water to make air pockets, which help them float. Then we saw Steller sea lions. Looking at the pictures, you will be surprised that these are young sea lions, and have been left behind by their parents. The adults are already in the really cold waters now. These “little” guys are taking naps and gaining weight and fat before venturing out where their parents are. We also saw numerous bald eagles, and one little black bear.

About 20 miles out from the glacier, we knew we were getting close to it since we started to see “ice bergs”. In reality, the floating glacier ice is too small to be icebergs, since that means they have to be more than 15 feet tall above the water. When we were 15 miles out, I wanted the pilot to turn the boat around because I had visions of staring in The Titanic. When we were about 12 miles from the glacier, he drove in a holding position (the ice was very thick and large, we couldn’t go any closer) so everyone could get the best pictures, then off we went, leaving the most magnificent glacier in back of us. As we left, he told us the Columbia Glacier dumps 10 - 13,000,000 tons of ice in the water every day! Since we went up the bay to the glacier during low tide, there was lots and lots of ice, which will be swept out at high tide. I’ve seen 4 glaciers now and each one has a different personality. I’m really enjoying this glacier
thing!

Life is good,
Marilyn

P.S. I really liked the Columbia Glacier. Here’s the question for Jeopardy, “What is the second largest glacier in North America”!!

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