I was standing on the deck, looking at the glacier in Glacier Bay, and a man standing next to me told me I had to wait for the Hubbard Glacier to really get the WOW factor. That was true. It was awesome. We cruised in there and the captain started to rotate the boat so we could all see a wonder of nature. Yes, parts did calve off into the water; the icebergs were so blue, and we all appreciated the calm waters and overcast day, giving us a better look at the glacier's colors. Somebody said photos can never do it, and they are correct. The photos will never show what you see with your own eyes.
Our next day we cruised to Juneau, a funny town, but a great way to see Humpback whales. We took a whale watching boat; (that seems to be the only way we can see whales!)they promised a whale sighting or they'd give back your $100, so we saw whales. At first I thought they'd be as far away as the end of a football field, not too close, but as we neared the end of our cruise time, three whales surfaced very close to the boat, and we got to see them in all their glory-I finally got the breathing/blowing timed and ready to photo the fluke and my camera ran out of steam or something. By the time I got it back again, I had missed the final fluke and got only a blow on film. Next we went to see the Mendenhall glacier with a Parks Service guide answering questions. That was really cool. We also watched a salmon lay eggs from an underwater camera in a creek across the street. That was pretty amazing. Jim did take the tram to the top of the mountain, but I stayed on shore shopping. I bought a few T shirts and then headed back to the boat.
Now to talk about photos. We took/have taken many photos, and I think some may make it on to the Christmas card. You can't help but get great photos of Alaska. It's like Whidbey Island-everywhere you look is a photo-op. Jim has his Canon and seems very happy with it. I have a more complicated Hewlett Packard camera that does everything but eat, although it does eat up batteries pretty quickly. A few years ago I figured out I can take a video. I didn't figure out it has sound, too, so along with bouncing, upside down and sideways filiming, there are odd sounds, like breathing, talking to Jim and oooohhhs. I forgot about the video capability of the camera until I got on this trip, and discovered it again while we were at the Native Heritage Center for the women's dance and drumming exhibit. The photos look awkward, starting out sideways and spinning around. And, no sound. Finally, at the Hubbard Glacier, I rememberd the sound and announced in a deep voice, " This is an iceberg, over 14 feet tall!" That's it. Obviously I need someone to help me with this filiming and talking at the same time. I'll put it all on a CD so everyone can laugh like crazy. The next trip I plan to do better.
We are off to Victoria, but we have a day and night at sea and another full day before we reach there. I've been to the shops three times and expect I'll go back. Don't know where Jim is, but I'm off to read a book. Wish you were all here. Jim and Virginia
Our next day we cruised to Juneau, a funny town, but a great way to see Humpback whales. We took a whale watching boat; (that seems to be the only way we can see whales!)they promised a whale sighting or they'd give back your $100, so we saw whales. At first I thought they'd be as far away as the end of a football field, not too close, but as we neared the end of our cruise time, three whales surfaced very close to the boat, and we got to see them in all their glory-I finally got the breathing/blowing timed and ready to photo the fluke and my camera ran out of steam or something. By the time I got it back again, I had missed the final fluke and got only a blow on film. Next we went to see the Mendenhall glacier with a Parks Service guide answering questions. That was really cool. We also watched a salmon lay eggs from an underwater camera in a creek across the street. That was pretty amazing. Jim did take the tram to the top of the mountain, but I stayed on shore shopping. I bought a few T shirts and then headed back to the boat.
Now to talk about photos. We took/have taken many photos, and I think some may make it on to the Christmas card. You can't help but get great photos of Alaska. It's like Whidbey Island-everywhere you look is a photo-op. Jim has his Canon and seems very happy with it. I have a more complicated Hewlett Packard camera that does everything but eat, although it does eat up batteries pretty quickly. A few years ago I figured out I can take a video. I didn't figure out it has sound, too, so along with bouncing, upside down and sideways filiming, there are odd sounds, like breathing, talking to Jim and oooohhhs. I forgot about the video capability of the camera until I got on this trip, and discovered it again while we were at the Native Heritage Center for the women's dance and drumming exhibit. The photos look awkward, starting out sideways and spinning around. And, no sound. Finally, at the Hubbard Glacier, I rememberd the sound and announced in a deep voice, " This is an iceberg, over 14 feet tall!" That's it. Obviously I need someone to help me with this filiming and talking at the same time. I'll put it all on a CD so everyone can laugh like crazy. The next trip I plan to do better.
We are off to Victoria, but we have a day and night at sea and another full day before we reach there. I've been to the shops three times and expect I'll go back. Don't know where Jim is, but I'm off to read a book. Wish you were all here. Jim and Virginia
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