Capturing the Moment

  Our first look at Tiger Glacier. In the far southwest reaches of Prince William Sound, there is a protected fjord known as Icy Bay. I love to visit here because we always have it all to ourselves, and the scenery is second to none. The wall of the fjord crater up to thousands of feet, waterfalls tumbled down the sheer sides, mountains goats scamper in impossible spots along the cliffs, and a massive glacier, filled with blue ice, slow motions tumbles into the sea at the end. Last week we were blocked from access to the face of the glacier because the surface of the ocean was frozen solid for about a mile. I even got out and walked on it, just to test it. The fact that I didn't fall through, made me think that this ice was here to stay for awhile. So imagine my surprise when we showed up this morning, and got closer, and closer, and closer, until finally, we were at the face of the glacier. The guests awed at the deep blue ice in the glacier, and then, suddenly, a huge chunk calve...

  Kayking in Nassau Fjord in Prince William Sound. This scene reminded me of my time in Antarctica. In the southwest corner of Prince William Sound, Alaska, there is a place called Icy Bay. It was first explored by Joseph Whidby in 1794 and named by George Vancouver. Tiger glacier is at the end of the southern finger and Chenega glacier dominates the northern finger. Chenega Glacier is the second largest glacier in Prince William Sound, draining most of the Sargent Icefield. We spent the morning exploring Tiger Glacier by small boats called skiffs. We had fun exploring the waterfall-filled cliffs on the way up the fjord. Then we were surprised to find that the ocean in front of the glacier was frozen. There was sea ice packed from one side of the fjord to the other, making it impossible for us to get within a mile of the glacier. The scenery was still beautiful and lots of harbor seals were up on the sea ice with their pups. We did come across some sea otters and a flock of Barrow'...