In one of my last posts, I discussed an area known as Tracy Arm - Ford's Terror Wilderness. I forgot to include pictures and experiences from South Sawyer Glacier.
I was fortunate enough to accompany the cocoa vikings on their "karve," as they made rounds on their humanitarian cocoa distribution/"conquest."
This region, like Ford's Terror, is full of monumental mountainsides.
However, our focus within this area is the South Sawyer Glacier, which has receded an incredible amount in the last 20 to 30 years (NOT GOOD NEWS!!).
When the glacier calves, it drops the chunks into deeper-than-normal water, allowing each piece to remain relatively intact. Therefore, its calving leaves behind a field of icebergs, which one must navigate to reach the glacier.
Truly awe-inspiring!
Now, following the sequence from the last post would leave us at the end of the Inian Islands day. We went to Fox Creek -Shaw Island; however, there were some days when we would travel in the opposite direction, to the area around George Island and Elfin Cove.
Upon reaching George Island, the ship would anchor in Granite Cove. Once on the beach, most people's first stop would be the swing that was constructed on one of the cliffs.
As you continued on the hike, you would encounter numerous interesting sights, as well as gain a beautiful view of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve on the other side of Cross Sound.
There is a bald eagle in this photo; look closely.
George Island played a pivotal role in defending the Inland Passage during WWII, as is evident by the military remnants.
Two miles away, there was another stop: Elfin Cove, Alaska. Population: 32 (according to the 2000 census).
There we met two dogs, one named Recon and the other Scout....together, they are known as the "Recon Unit."
I personally loved Elfin Cove, despite the small amount of time allotted for our visit. It is definitely a place to travel to for peace and quiet.
In order to finish our time in Southeast Alaska, we must arrive at the entrance to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Our ship would stop in Bartlett Cove, where we would pick up the ranger and Tlingit cultural interpreter from the lodge.
From there, we would head into the park, soon reaching South Marble Island. This island contains populations of puffins, cormorants, and sea lions (smell and all)!
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Continuing through the bay, one could spot mountain goats and their kids learning to climb...
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...as well as bears spending time at "the beach."
Later in the Alaska season, we would travel to one of the northern-most reaches of the park, to Johns Hopkins Glacier.
Johns Hopkins Glacier travels back 17 miles, reaching into the peaks that you see in the back. Each time we arrived, we would be witnesses to intense calving.
After playing witness to this phenomenon, we would head back south to Bartlett Cove, enjoying the scenery along the way.
Our National Geographic photographer, Rich Reid, allowed me to borrow his incredible lens, with great results.
After Glacier Bay day, we would have a day of cruising for wildlife, followed by our arrival in Sitka, Alaska.
