Leaving Ketchikan we followed another ship into the evening, through various channels and waterways until we lost sight. The mist swirled around the mountains, and glassy seas evoked a sense of calm. The sun broke through the clouds and set for hours. Bundled up, we enjoyed the performance from our balcony until the sun hid behind the horizon.
Early in the morning we awoke to sweeping views of Douglas Island. It is a small island located west of Juneau proper, connected by a single bridge dubbed by locals as, “The Bridge”. A quick breakfast in our stateroom, tender to port, and we were on our way. Our tour guide drove us down, “The Highway” to our next adventure, walking on a glacier.
Upon arrival, we suited up and boarded a helicopter, props still spinning from it’s last flight. As we approached the Mendenhall Glacier I began to feel increasingly small. Looking out the window I saw people and tents, so tiny and insignificant in comparison. My mind wandered. I thought about the tiny specks and how trivial humans are on this beautiful Earth, in this universe. It is a humbling thought, to say the least.
We landed and basic safety rules were covered. After a brief walkabout the tour guide demonstrated how to drink glacial water from the stream. After much encouragement, Aiden agreed to do it along with us. It tasted like water. With cold noses and hands we loaded onto the warm helicopter and returned to the ship.
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