The race is on. As our small skiff bobs and bounces its way across Thomas Bay (which has the unfortunate nickname of The Bay of Death) towards Baird Glacier, the mist slowly sinks into the valleys, turning the daylight into a daunting greyness. Not far from the Alaskan town of Petersburg and approaching the final inlet, the icy wind knives us in the face, the breeze off the glacier savagely chilling the air. Woollen hats are adjusted and jackets zipped up. Arriving at the glacier, our group of three intrepid travellers stood and watched not brave enough to wander too far for fear of being enveloped into the silvery fog. After all, the weather gods were in a mean mood.
While it appears a god-forsaken location, the weather in Alaska swings dramatically from the grim to the sublime. White-outs are quickly replaced by sparkling blue skies. Sunny weather on the tidewater Baird Glacier must change the mood of the place, highlighting the rearing dark mountains and the snaking ice river meandering its way to the so-called Bay of Death.
Looks like i have to consider my cancelled trip to Alaska, hope to see some wonderful ice.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking. As an American I can get so caught up with travel abroad and forget the beauty of home. Thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to my sunny day at Baird Glacier. However, I think your experience was far more typical. There is something about the cold and foggy mist that adds to the atmosphere.
ReplyDelete@kimberley: Alaska has lots of glaciers both accessible by land and water (one near Juneau is very accessible). Make sure you see at least one of these wonders of nature.
ReplyDelete@tawny: Most Americans have never been to Alaska.
@donna: I was taken by the sunny weather in your photo and a chance to wander a little further away.
Excellent photo! It really captures the beauty of Alaska well.
ReplyDelete@spencer: Thank you for your kind words. Alaska is a remarkable place of contrasts with its unpredictable weather changing the mood of a place in a very short time.
ReplyDeleteI love Alaska. It's a beautiful place. Good destination!
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