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Thursday, September 18, 2014

Ever seen a Glacier? (photo heavy)





As you know, I just got home from Alaska. It is a magical place for me. We just don't see things like this around here. 



This is Exit Glacier.
You can hike up to it.


It's kind of amazing to see these holes and crevices throughout.
With the tons of ice moving down the mountain, it seems to defy logic to me.

It's cold and windy, but beautiful
 It's a receding glacier. In fact it's receded quite a bit.


But leaves way for new growth.


Then we went to see the "Big Boys" on a 26 Glacier cruise out of Whittier.


It was pouring rain and COLD, but that didn't keep us indoors!


 There were photos to be taken and animals to see.


The colors just amaze me.


 This last one used to go right to the water, but now that it doesn't it's referred to as a hanging glacier.
All the rock at the bottom has been pushed down the mountain as the glacier moves, creating new land.
The chunks of ice that float in the ocean by these glaciers are pure. Our crew fished one out and broke it up to serve in our drinks! There is so much oxygen in it, that it fizzes when it melts. You can hear it as you go thru them on the boat too. Reminds me of Rice Krispies in milk! :-)
There is one thing I can tell you for sure. Photos absolutely do not do it justice. The magnitude of these things are just something you can't capture on film. As a friend once put it, it was like being in a National Geographic Show. It was just to incredible to describe. She hit the nail on the head. It's overwhelmingly beautiful and makes you feel very small. The power that it has when it calves is like nothing I've ever experienced. Truly a wonder of nature!



Every good cruise deserves crazy photos!



A special treat on the way back was this incredible waterfall.
It has never had so much water in it before, but the rains this year, have created this spectacular sight. I can't even begin to tell you just how much water was coming down.

We got to enjoy some of the fall colors on our drive back.


Oh, I love this time of year up there.


Hiking is a big threat too. There is so much rain forest! It's delightful to walk on. Nice and cushy under your feet


 I am not much of a hiker at home. Too many snakes. (At least in my mind)
My favorite part of Alaska is the fact that there are NO snakes!
Yippee!


But you don't want to tangle with this guy. Its the stem of the plant in the photo above.
At least I can see this plant, and there are so surprises!
:-)



Don't you love these views from my friends deck.
I love the sights and the smell of the forrest!
It's official...I'm ready to go back!







16 comments:

  1. Spectacular photos. Love the tidbit about the ice making noise. Very cool adventure!

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  2. I am so jealous! Alaska is on my bucket list and seeing all you beautiful photos just makes me want to go more. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. awesome pics!! (did you know sewcalgal is just getting back from AK)

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  4. Great photos, Joan. Glaciers are just amazing. Many years ago I went to Fox Glacier in New Zealand. We hired hob nailed boots and hiked up a bit of it. Thanks for sharing your photos with us.

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  5. What a wonderful post! Your pictures are fabulous. We took an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and one of the highlights was seeing the glaciers. Your pictures captured the beautiful blues.

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  6. One of the best cruises I have ever been on was an Alaskan cruise. And if you haven't seen a glacier in real life, pictures can never do it justice.

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  7. Joan these are spectacular photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.

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  8. It looks like it was a spectacular visit. The scenery is just stunning.

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  9. This is amazing, Joan. What spectacular sights! I am so pleased you had the opportunity to do this.
    Love your photos.
    Have you warmed up yet and thawed out??

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  10. Wow looks spectacular. Plan on doing that trip when my husband retires. We have been talking about it for years. Looks lovely. I am leaving on a trip next week with my mother. London Scotland and Ireland. I am so excited. Spending two weeks with my aunt and cousin on a bus trip.

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  11. From icy glaciers to beautiful mountain views...what an amazing adventure!

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  12. Thank you so much for taking us with you! I've never been to Alaska and so am always very enthusiastic to see pictures and read stories. Wow. So refreshing. Fizzing seas......what a sound image. :) K.

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  13. Yes I have been to Alaska and have seen glaciers like that. We are looking forward to a return visit someday when the kidlets are older. It truly is an amazing place to see.

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  14. Joan your Alaska shots are breath taking...what is sad is that they are melting and disappearing so quickly...what do they say about this..as it changed their lives,the fishing, hunting? I love the cold so I soooo love any photos of scenery and snow. and ice...like the idea of the melted ice in your drinks....

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  15. What an incredible trip. The photos are SPECTACULAR!!!

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  16. Great pictures! I love the glacier pictures and you are right, a person needs to see them in person..I think you should make a landscape quilt from the picture of the birch trees...Thanks for the picture show!!

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Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)