Microclimates

This will be a shorter update since we spent the afternoon on the ferry from Gustavus (Glacier Bay) to Juneau.

“As the crow flies”, the distance from Glacier Bay to Juneau is only about 60 miles. Same for Haines. The scenery throughout is a gorgeous mixture of sea, snow-capped mountains and glaciers. However, the microclimates may be the most amazing.

In the morning, we decided to do a hike around Glacier Bay. We tried a path in the National Park that borders Bartlett Cove, the entrance to Glacier Bay. It wasn’t quite what we wanted, so we turned around and made the 9-mile drive to the other end of the road, where we hiked a path called the Nagoonberry Loop. As soon as we arrived, the rain started. Despite our Seattle-style rain jackets, we got soaked.

Greg had to change into dry clothes when we returned to the RV. The rain let up in time for us to board the ferry for the 6-hour journey. As the ferry approached the stop in Hoonah, Amy saw 3 cruise ships. We got closer to the port, and the rains started again, so heavy that the giant ships became blurs in the window. Finally, when we approached Juneau, the skies became clear again and we saw it all: sea, mountains, glaciers, boats, town.

You don’t have to travel Alaska the crazy way we are doing; you can get these same amazing views from a cruise ship. Photos do not do it justice. You ought to see it for yourself. These views never get tiring.