Woke early today as we are going to view the Le Conte Glacier this morning. The Le Conte Glacier is the southernmost tidal glacier in North America.
As we cruised up the fjord we had to maneuver through lots of ice! Some of the ice was probably 15 to 20’ high; remember that only 10% is above the water.
Spectacular views as the captain took us REALLY close; in fact later he said that he took us beyond the point on the charts where it has been surveyed! He didn’t think that there was much risk as the water was 780’ deep. We saw lots of calving and also shooters, ice that released from the face of the glacier below water and rises as if shot out of a cannon.
I’m down to my last roll of film! I see a digital SLR in my future!
The terminal moraine of the glacier forms a barrier across the mouth of the fjord that keeps the larger cruise ships from seeing this glacier. As we left the tide had gone out and there were many icebergs stranded on the terminal moraine. We also stopped to pick up a piece of ice that was used as an ice sculpture at lunch.
We docked at Petersburg at 1:45p where we entertained by a group of young children performing traditional Norwegian folk dances.
Then off the boat for a walk around the town; Petersburg is very small, but very interesting. Norwegian immigrants founded the fishing village and that has remained the primary industry. There is a large fishing fleet and cannery. The cannery is locally owned as in the 1960’s the original owner was set to close down the cannery so the locals clubbed together and bought it. Now the money it makes stays in town. Petersburg has a spectacular setting with snow capped mountains to the east.
Today has been a SUNNY day, but cool only 50F; looks like tomorrow will be the same.
We left Petersburg at 6pm and then cruised through the Wrangell Narrows en route to Ketchikan; a 23 mile passage that has 46 course changes! It’s like a slalom course for a boat, lots of fun!
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