Glacier Bay National Park

Today is Friday and we have been gone one week!  It is amazing how much wildlife and beautiful scenery we have seen in such a short time.  Take a look at the map of Alaska and we have only touched the small leg of land south of the mainland!  We've been in Glacier Bay since Wednesday arriving by a 6 passenger SMALL PLANE.  The flight took 35 min. with incredible views from Juneau to Glacier Bay.  Upon arriving in the National Park, we immediately took a short walk along the beach and heard the orchestra of whales noises echoing in the bay and the ballet began again!  Later that afternoon, we walk among the dense forest with a park ranger and learn all about the plant life.  The highlight of our stay in the park was of course the all day boat trip into Glacier Bay to view the glaciers. The trip was 65 miles out to the Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers.  This was our first misty day in Alaska, but along the way the boat would slow down for a closer view of islands to view wildlife and did we see the critters of the bay...whales, sea otters, dolphins, birds, mountain goats, sea lions, GRIZZLY BEARS, bald eagles!!! The sea otters really took the show!  They lay on their backs, popping their cute fuzzy faces up out of the water and place dinner on their tummys to eat at their leisure. Hey do you know what a group of otters are called?  "A raft of otters!"  They look like they are gathered for a party all lined up like logs floating in the sea!!! Very cute and completely comfortable floating around in the deep blue seas...  The finale of the trip was of course the magnificent tidewater glaciers!  We knew that the boat was getting closer due to the icebergs floating alongside the boat, the chill in the air and the milky gray water.  Luckily, we bought hats, gloves, and several layers to keep us warm!  The mist cleared and their she was the magnificent Margarie Glacier towering above the tallest cruise ship!