Alaskan Glacier Cruise

While in Seward, Shaun, his parents, and I went on a 7-hour glacier cruise. Don't let the clothing fool you, it still was in June, but the glacier's windy air required a few extra layers! We set sail on the Kenai Star and got settled in to watch the animals and amazing landscapes around us...

Our tour company for the cruise

This was the best evidence we had of the pod of humpback whales we saw. There was an occasional dorsal hump or tail that would break through the water, but it was impossible to time them. But this blast of spray is the best I can offer you. You'll just have to take my word for it.

The glacier was so cool... literally. Glaciers produce their own wind because of the temperature differences. It was surreal to have the captain shut off the engines and let us listen to the cracks and splashes as chunks broke off into the sea.

Can you spot the kayak right up there next to the glacier?

An otter!!

Puffins

So many sea lions! At one point, Dan counted over 70 of them. And this was just one of several spots where we saw a large group (called a raft) of sea lions.

Another raft of them

Our excursion was so much fun. Between laughing as we tottered around the rocking boat and marveling at the waiter balancing our three cups of hot chocolate up the stairs to our table, we found fun even within the confines of our boat. And we learned lots of new information for future trivia games! :)

For instance, why does glacier ice appear blue? Because the ice crystals absorb most of the visible light spectrum, but the blue light waves have more energy, allowing some of it to reflect off the crystals and appear blue. (If you win Jeopardy on that one, you're welcome.)