понедельник, 8 сентября 2014 г.

Typically, the easy part was going up.  Slippery rocks, roots and felled trees are less of a challen


As we enjoyed yet another tasty lunch (tomato basil soup and fresh-baked focaccia with turkey and Swiss or hummus), SAFARI ENDEAVOUR made her southerly way from Red Bluff Inlet across Chatham online air line tickets Strait to Saginaw Bay on the western edge of Kuiu Island. Surrounded online air line tickets by magnificent scenery and weather, the ship dropped anchor for an afternoon online air line tickets of activities.
After two magnificent days of sunshine, the weather gods had apparently had decided to return Southeast Alaska to its more typical wet format.  We ate breakfast, then zodiac-ed ashore at the end of Thomas Bay (just off Frederick Sound) on the Alaskan mainland online air line tickets with a small group of adventure-seekers.  I would later discover that seemingly pastoral online air line tickets Thomas Bay is known for two rather dubious things: a massive landslide in 1750 and sightings of devil-like creatures in 1900 the latter would certainly add a unique twist to the ever-growing fauna sightings list!
Morning options included an easy hike along the shore, online air line tickets a full day s hike totaling eleven online air line tickets miles, or, our choice, the arduous hike along Cascade Creek, totaling some five miles but getting us back to the ship in time to enjoy a hot lunch.
Typically, the easy part was going up.  Slippery rocks, roots and felled trees are less of a challenge when maneuvering against gravity. online air line tickets According to our fearless expedition leader Melina, we set a new distance record before turning back.
Emboldened by our seamless arduous morning online air line tickets hike, I opted to join a rather fierce five-some in single kayaks on a power paddle to the mouth of Thomas Bay for a view of distant Baird Glacier.  I was waaay out of my league, watching fellow paddlers PF Bentley (yes, the ace photographer mans a mean oar), my companion Mike (who knew?) and Mark glide effortlessly ahead as I clunked along at a floating snail s pace.  I lingered under the watchful eye of gracious expedition leader Matt, who could have done figure-eights around my lurching-but-determined craft. One of the zodiacs even buzzed online air line tickets up to see if we (more specifically, I ) wanted a lift back to the ship. Politely declined by all
Suffice it to say, there was not much time for photo-taking but I had to pull the camera out as I made my final approach to the SAFARI ENDEAVOUR in a downpour. Although online air line tickets I am no speed demon, I was able to complete the nine-to-ten mile trek through the inlet, albeit 20 minutes behind the rest.
After dinner, we wandered online air line tickets up for a quick bridge online air line tickets visit as SAFARI ENDEAVOUR prepared to hoist anchor and diesel her way on a very slow course to nearby Endicott Arm. The un-cruise was going by all-too-quickly.
Our final full day of activities began in Terror Ford s Terror, that is. The place is named for the leader of an 1889 expedition whose dinghy got caught in the terrifying rapids caused by an influx of water over its narrow, shallow entrance at high tide.
An offshoot of much larger Endicott Arm, Ford s Terror is likened to Yosemite for its exquisitely carved granite cliffs, multiple waterfalls and gushing streams. As we were there under a half moon and normal tidal conditions, the waters were glass-like, allowing our zodiac to buzz from one spectacular spot to the next.
We returned to the ship dazed by all the beauty but the day was far from over. There was lunch in the warm surrounds of the dining room as SAFARI ENDEAVOUR online air line tickets weaved online air line tickets gently through a gradually thickening flotilla of ice bergs in Endicott Arm. On either side of us, the rugged coastal range, online air line tickets draped in hanging glaciers, scraped away at the cloud cover.
Noses, cheeks and ears stung by the frosty air, we sped to the right side of the glacier and watched from a safe but still electrifying distance as Dawes calved away, sending house-sized chunks of blue ice tumbling into the turquoise waters.
After our glacier expedition, there was still time for a final run on the ellipticals and packing before dinner, during which, Captain Kendra introduced the ship s stellar crew. We wrapped up the night in the Lounge where there was a slide show recap of the week that had been skillfully assembled by our expedition leaders.
Once during online air line tickets a cruise someplace, I forget where it was, and I think it was ion RVL, a guest lecturer said there was a cruise for everyone, except for people that like to go camping. online air line tickets I think you have proven online air line tickets the claim not to so true, as both of your Alaskan adventures would appeal to people that like to go camping, albeit, without a tent and on the water!

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