Sunny Side Down

Just last month I bore witness to a pretty impressive sunset happening over Parksville, a small town on Vancouver Island, known for its resorts.

If you look closely, you can just make out some of those resorts/condominium complexes across the water. But look at those trees silhouetted against the mountains glowing in the magnificence of the setting sun!

Here we see the peaks of the condos mimicking the mountain peaks.

Do you think that was intentional on the part of the architect?  

A lone figure enjoys a walk along the beach as the sun goes down,

casting a magical glow.

The day goes out in a blaze of glory...

as night time quietly creeps in,

signifying the end of a wonderful day. 

Feeling a little peaked

Truly, viewing the glaciers in Alaska was a peak experience.

There were a few ice-sculptures on board the cruise ship, but nothing of this magnitude!

The ice forms look like giant gems.

Even though they're stunning in their natural beauty,

I couldn't resist "enhancing" them a little in Photoshop for emphasis.

It's fascinating that the ice exists right next to a patch of green still lingering on the lower mountain slope.

This bottom layers of the glacier, with their reflection in the calm water below,

suggest the stylized eye of a killer whale, such as seen in Native carvings.

Pulling away for a wider view, we see that the form really does resemble an Orca...

or is it just me who thinks this?

It was a rare privilege to have seen this amazing natural phenomenon.

An experience I will always cherish.

Good Glacious!

I promised you glaciers.

Here is the first glacial glimpse.

And here is a closer look.

The ice marches relentlessly over the still mountains,

creating wonders in form, line and colour.

The ice crystals form their own fearsome sculptures.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.  

We viewed two ice fields on the Alaskan cruise into Glacier Bay.  I don't want to overwhelm you so I'll save further views for my next post.

Meanwhile, breathe deeply and listen to the silence.

(And pass your hip flask, please.)

Glacier Bay

We are sailing into Alaska's Glacier Bay.

For me, Glacier Bay was the highlight of the cruise.

Such stillness here (other than the broadcast explanations of the local park ranger who has come on board to tell us about the formations of Glacier Bay, and many scientific details, of which I remember none).

As we get closer to the glaciers, bits of floating ice 

dot the water,

patches of snow become evident,

and a small dark shape on a floating piece of ice reveals itself to be a seal, watching us watching him.

It's snowing on the mountain tops but we're lucky today to have such good visibility.  The captain said that the previous week the scenery was completely hidden by fog.

A small waterfall in the lower region of the mountain
dives into its own reflection.

The lower slopes are still covered with green, reminding us that less than a century ago, this area was a rich and welcoming homeland, full of natural resources, for the native Tlingit people, until they were pushed further afield by the encroaching glaciers.

Clouds creep down the mountains to soften the appearance of the sharp edged-ridges.

Peace.  Silence.  Awe.

We can only look on in amazement as we approach the glaciers.

Crew members are passing out small bowls of thick, hot,
pea soup to warm us on our approach to the ice fields.

Be sure to get a bowl before we continue on.

One last look at Skagway

It's time to hustle back to the cruise ship as departure time is nearly upon us.

As we hurry past, a brash young temptress calls to us from an upstairs window of the town brothel  hotel.

Actually, this sweet young thing is probably earning money for college with a summer theatre job.  Actors roam the street between showings, staying in character and trying to drum up business for the play.

One last quick dash down a side street stops me in my tracks in front of this antique store window, combining a fascinating time-warping view of the past with the present.

(as well as providing a contribution to 

James' Weekend Reflections )

I wonder if that old license plate we saw in the window has travelled any of the roads leading to places suggested on this signpost...

if there are roads leading there. 

(note to self: must look at a road map of Alaska)

I think this rusted handle, beautifully showcased on an even rustier door, would make a fine addition to the collection in that antique shop.

All that sight-seeing has made me hungry.  What say we stop in the ship's Lido Restaurant for a little snack before supper?  For entertainment, we can watch a crew member wash the windows in the rain.

One last look at the fresh snow on the mountains above the rain-soaked deck as we say so long to Skagway.  

More mountains to come.  

Be sure to bundle up for our next stop, 

that's all I'm saying.