Safe and Sound with Following Seas

No worries. The earthquake and tsunami warnings in Alaska did not affect us. We were just quiet because it was a day at sea getting to Vancouver to disembark.  Just hanging out. Eating and drinking, playing bingo and trivia. Blessed with following seas because it looked pretty rough out there. 

The morning started out dreary. Another of those days where the photo looks like it’s black and white when it isn’t.

As the day wore on we started to see some sun again along with a few humpback whales.

Already looking towards our next trip in less than two months. In the meantime, once again Happy Trails / Sails. (There is another cruise ship also leaving Haines right there in the middle of the horizon.)

Klawock - last stop before disembarking

This morning we woke up in Klawock. Population estimated to be a smidge above 700. We decided to stay on board even though tomorrow is an at sea day powering down to Vancouver.

The terrain is definitely different now.  From the low lands of Katmai, to the glaciers, down to the mountains and now this view with so much blue I don’t even know how to photoshop the pine trees to green…:

Sitka

Yesterday we stopped in Sitka.  The weather remains sunny and clear.  By the time we reach Vancouver it will be in the 80s again.

We had a nice little tour around the nice little town, population about 8,000. Including a visit to the tribal community house…a modern version of the traditional long houses where entire families lived together on terraces inside around a large fire pit. The higher your clan status the closer you were to the fire.  The chief’s living space was behind the elaborately carved screen.  This one depicts the lovebirds at the top.  A raven and an eagle, the two moieties or descent groups in Tlingit culture. I cannot see any difference at all in the two carvings. Maybe that is intentional as the distinction in the tribe is spiritual not physical.

This is also the city where Russia signed the final documents selling Alaska to the United States followed by the lowering of the Russian Flag and the raising of ours.

We visited the raptor rehabilitation center. And saw a bunch of totem poles.

Sitka’s other natural, towering landmark is the volcano, Mt Edgecumbe, affectionately referred to as their Mt Fuji. So for comparison purposes I offer both:

On A Clear Day…

 Life is so much nicer…

Woke this morning in Haines with this view. We could see the tops of the mountains!

And that thing called sky. Disembarking into Fort Seward.

Our excursion today was a drive up the Haines Scenic Byway to the Summit which took us into Canada and back. Gorgeous scenery as we drove from temperate rain forest through forest and then tundra.  At one point the trees disappeared in the blink of an eye. ( Of course I can’t load video so trust is key. )

And then up high

At the summit, we thought we would be at a peak and be able to see, well, Russia maybe. But the road doesn’t go that high.  About 3400 ft.  So there are still a whole lot of mountains around…

Still really stunning and a beee-you-ti-ful day.

I did try to spot bald eagles since this is THE place for them. During the Chilkat Eagle Festival in November the late run of chum and coho salmon here brings over 3,000 bald eagles to the area.  Today I only spotted one juvenile. And I only recognized that brown bird as a bald eagle because I was obsessed with the bald eagle nest cams in the Lower 48. (Thanks to Sunny and Gizmo and brave little T3.)

Seeing a Theme Here

First, we are, at least temporarily, past the rough seas. Yay!

And last night before dinner, the bar we were going to was full. So we continued on to the Observation Lounge and were rewarded with seeing a pod of three orcas and then three more singles (or the same single three times). No pics though. Those guys don’t stay on the surface long but at least they contrast well with the color of the sea.

Now here in Juneau. This morning’s view…overcast and drizzling. One could be led to believe that we are in the Pacific Northwest or something.

Today’s excursions took us to the Mendenhal Glacier. 

Where, I saw this: purportedly a porcupine.

Then a quick ride up the tram and back down again.

Hubbard Glacier

 Today was all/only about seeing the Hubbard Glacier.

It’s still mostly overcast, and our expectations were low. This is what the view looked like this morning.

But at least the glacier didn’t disappoint.  It is definitely a glacier - a huge, very impressive glacier.

Oh and some folks asked us to play team trivia with them.  Then they didn’t show. And we won!

49th = 50th

After a lazy morning in Seward, we got to the Silversea ship, the Silver Nova just after noon. For all of our travels, we have not been cruising people. The cruises we have taken in the last couple years have been to places you have to see by boat: the Galápagos Islands, Antarctica, and the Kimberley coast of Australia.  Those trips were also all on small expedition ships with 200 to 250 passengers. This ship can hold 728 passengers. It seems enormous.

As I type this, the Captain just made an announcement that we will be encountering 13 ft waves that may impact our comfort and our it itinerary.  🫣. We will be underway soon.

There isn’t much more for me to write today except to post our view here in the Harbour. And to take this belated opportunity to point out that Alaska, the 49th US state, is Michael’s 50th state visited. He has now been to all 50 states and earlier this year all seven continents. 🎉