6.18.2013

Skagway Wilderness Safari

This tour was one of the top rated Holland America excursions in Skagway, Alaska.  It advertised a chance to see a little of everything - glaciers, whales, bears, and sea lions.  It also promised a canoe ride up the river to the face of a glacier.  OK...sign us up!


This boat (pictured above) was designed by the United States Navy Seals to basically withstand Armageddon (or so we were told)!  We cruised 30 miles out to the Davidson Glacier...and were immediately greeted by the one thing we've been dying to see.....a BEAR!!!


At this point we got off the boat and were bussed up to the main camp area where we were outfitted in life-jackets and wader boots.  Then, we proceeded to hike 1/2 mile through the mosquito infested woods to the awaiting canoes in the glacial river (38 degree water).


After being schooled in what NOT to do while in the canoe....who knew you could fall out of a boat?.....we finally set sail for the Davidson Glacier.

(do you see the canoe ahead of us?)

Arriving at the base of the glacier, we were able to walk out on the muddy islands of sediment to get within 50 yards of the ice field.  We took this opportunity to get a lovely photo for all of you!  Nice wader boots, huh?


And, I also risked my life to swipe a piece of glacial ice floating in the nearby water for you! 


After a quick lunch on the "beach".....we returned to our boat for the trip back to Skagway.  Wait a minute!  We hadn't seen all of the advertised wildlife on this safari excursion.  Where were the whales?  And sea lions?

The captain "sealed" the deal on the trip back to port....as we managed to track down a shoreline full of sea lions.....and one whale-of-a-view of humpbacks tooting in the distance!


The snow capped mountains in the background look just as amazing as the whales!


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