Greetings,
We made it to Alaska last Friday and started our cruise. Long day considering we live on the west coast. Up at 3am, out the door at 4 and take off at 6AM. We landed in Seattle around 7:35am. Short layover, then 3.5 hrs to Anchorage. Then a little over 2 hr bus ride to Seward. We were in our state room by 3:30pm. Reminded me of going to Europe. We were all pretty beat. Res at the Chef's Table at 6:30.
First 2 days were low key. The boat stayed in port over night and we toured Resurrection Bay the following morning. One whale a few seals, bald eagles, an otter, mountain goats, some dolphins and puffins. I did not take too many wildlife photos. My first 3 shots are poor due to the weather. It was early and misty. Once the sun came out things got better.
The US purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million dollars. 2 cents an acre. It was a deal. We left Seward at 5PM heading for Valdez. Its about 175 miles south, then a little northeast up a gigantic fjord. The bays where Seward and Valdez are located are the only two bays in Alaska that don't freeze year around. This is primarily due to the speed of the currents and tides. We've been very lucky weather wise. It rained most of the last two weeks and the crew told us the last cruise only saw 2 days of sunshine. We've had sun since we arrived. Temps are 50's to low 60's. I only have a laptop, so no PhotoLab but DPP to the rescue . 👍 R5 C, all Canon glass, 15~35, 24~70, 70~200 and 100~500. I'm hauling all of this around with me each day in a Lowepro Protactic 450 AWII. Its extremely comfortable, but heavy. I have a tripod too. What was I thinking. 🤣 Today the boat is going to pass the Hubbard Glacier. The captain told us he'd stop and pivot 360* for about an hour. The ship is incredible. Its the Viking Orion. 930 humans. About 700 are guests. This is our first ocean cruise in about 20 yrs. We've done Vikings river cruises previously. We also saw some black bears feasting on the salmon, but the driver wouldn't let me off the bus and the glare on the windows was bad. I think I'll have another chance at the Mendenhall Glacier. This is day 1 and 2. We are at sea today.
Thanks John. I got some great shots of the Hubbard Glacier today. Will post more later.
