I'm back in civilization....well at least connected to the internet! While in Glacier Bay I sat at my computer or sometimes even resorted to pen and paper to keep track of my thoughts and experiences. I am going to cut and paste them into the blog for those you who might be interested in reading them! Thanks to those who do!!

Exploring Glacier Bay
Saturday, July 17th
Andrea starts the engines, we lift the anchor and leave Bartlett Cove into smooth waters. It is cloudy but shows a hint of promise of some sun in the skies ahead. Studying the paper charts we decide to make Blue Mouse Cove our first anchorage. Glacier Bay has no docks for mooring so every night involves finding a suitable cove for anchoring off. Blue Mouse Cove is 27.3 miles Northwest of Bartlett Cove and we cruise along at about 8 knots enjoying the ever changing scenery. Blue Mouse Cove is such a delightful sounding location and having put my gloved hand in the water to retrieve the crab pots we had set the previous evening, I fully understand the description being an (icy cold) blue mouse.
Many different birds keep us company as we cruise along. Marbled murrelets appear magically from the waters, diving and reappearing after they have been below surface for what seems much too long for a bird to be able to accomplish.
Puffins in large number are spotted starboard shore side but are too far away to make out the details on their heads that make such a charming bird model for stuffed animals seen in the gift shops of Alaska. It was noted that 200 different birds have been identified in this area.
No other boats can be seen on the water and checking the Furuno radar screen next to the helm of the pilothouse no boats are shown in a 2 mile radius of Schocking. The skies brighten up ahead and the views change to reveal snow covered mountains. We are going between Willoughby Island and Fingers Bay when Andrea shouts, “Jean, look port side!” I can tell I need to move quickly and I am rewarded with the sight of a large sea otter floating on her back not more than 10 feet from the boat. I can make out the darling features on her face, hands drawn up as if to receive her next meal or to perform other tasks such as bathing and sleeping that they accomplish while floating along on their backs. In this vast area of Glacier Bay this intimate encounter with one of my all time favorite animals is a thrill beyond belief. We see many other sea otters but never again so close up.
Continuing past Willoughby Island and Drake Island through Whidbey Passage. I am reminded of George Vancouver’s exploration of the area and his legacy and wonder “Is this the exact course Captain Vancouver took?”
After a day of exploring we arrive at Blue Mouse Cove, set anchor and enjoy the vistas from the saloon settee. We find a bottle of wine in the cabinet and decide that 3 Blind Moose would be an appropriate wine to accompany our meal at the end of another day in Alaska.