Juneau and Hubbard Glacier

Monday, September 26, 2022
Sitka, Alaska, United States
Saturday. September 24. Juneau. 50-55. Low clouds , with peeks of sun.
Last night after the First Regent Block Party since 2019, we met Lissy and Hardy for a drink then off the Compass Rose for dinner followed by a show by a stand-up comedian, who wasn’t all that funny. Saturday is Bloody Mary day for breakfast, but miraculously, I actually passed (I did have Sangria for breakfast yesterday!) We enjoyed a leisurely, very scenic cruise into Juneau, as the boat docked at 11am. Our tour “A Taste of Juneau”, went off at noon. First we spent an hour at the Mendenhall Glacier. We were there both 10 and 20 years ago, and each time, what a difference, as this glacier is fairly rapidly (30’ per year) receding. However, it is still magnificent. Our next stop was at a local brewery, where we tasted 3 different beers. Fun! Our last stop was in town at a local restaurant for a “snack” of salmon chowder and fried halibut. From there, we stopped at the Red Dog, and walked about 1/2 mike back to the ship. We were a bit chilled when we got back so grabbed that Bloody Mary that I didn’t have for breakfast and took it to our room. We met O&L for a drink in the Observation lounge, then on to a very  nice Ossobucco dinner in Settie Marie. We were reluctant about the show, a one gal pianist, but we’re so glad we went. She was fabulous on the keys and way, way funnier than that stand-up comic! 
Sunday, September 25. Mimosa day! At Sea/Hubbard Glacier. 55, mostly cloudy with 30mph winds.
After breakfast at the top, we went to the lecture on the Gold Rush. We were scheduled to get to Hubbard glacier around noon. We went to the Observation Lounge at 11 and got the last two seats, with Wyndham and Nancy’s friends, Sara and Keith. The bar staff was circulating with trays of Bloody Mary’s  and Mimosas. We could see the glacier from 20 miles off and got to  the the usual stop point of 9 miles off around noon. But, depending on conditions, fog, ice, wind etc., the ships inch closer. Apparently we had ideal conditions, because we got up to 0.6 miles off!! The pilot said we had the best viewing he’s seen in his 35 years as an Alaskan pilot. We continued our viewing over lunch from a window table in La Veranda. I had a massage scheduled at 2:15. Oddly, almost everyone on the ship, except us got a $50 spa voucher, but the executive concierge straightened that out for me. By the time I was back from that, it was nap time, get dressed time, a cocktail with  Lissy and Hardy then dinner in Compass Rose. We skipped the show. By midnight the wind really picked up and we had a rocky night.
Monday, September 26. Sitka. 58, driving rain and gale force wind.
We had decided last night to cancel our tour today, as we just didn’t want to face another cold wet day. We had paid quit  a bit for this wild life viewing and crab fest tour, but we didn’t care if we lost the money. Just not worth being outside and on the water in this weather. We went to breakfast in Compass Rose, and while there, an announcement came that our tour, along with several others had been canceled as it was just too dangerous to be on the water in small boats. Yea! So we got our money back. I can schedule another massage!!

Comments

Georgene
2022-09-26

A cold wet day sounds just about as inviting as a hot wet day in SC. Loved the pictures. Very scenic, my favorite was the one of the colorful town.

MaryEllen
2022-09-26

Sounds like you guys are having a great time, even if it’s cold and wet. Hugs!

Rich
2022-10-02

Great pics. Looks like a fun cruise.

2025-02-11

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