A Day on the Bay, July 10, 2010

Well, yesterday when we arrived in Valdez, the sun was out, so I called and booked a tour on the Stan Stephens Glacier & Wildlife Cruises. We had a 2 for 1 coupon so not a bad price for two people, $115. Good news, now our coupon book has paid for itself, so does that mean everything else is free, no, but it is half price using the 2 for 1 coupons.

Our 10 minute walk from the RV park to the Stan Stephens location brought us by these colorful kayaks, and as you can see the day was overcast with a few drips.

The Glacier Spirit (center photo with red trim) will be our refuge today. At our helm was Mr Stan Stephens himself.

This is a Conoco Phillips ship being filled at the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal.

Our first wildlife, see the two eagles perched at the top.

Soon it was time for lunch, soup, either Veggie Minestrone or Clam Chowder, bagel, cream cheese, oreo cookies and water. Free coffee, tea (nice selection of teabags) and cocoa were available all day.

Our destination today in Prince William Sound was the Columbia Glacier, which is the second-largest tidewater glacier in North America. Today is was not possible for us to see a view of the face of this glacier, as that was another 13 miles from where the boat had stopped in a sea of icebergs. Also the fog blocked our views.

One lady on the boat said she wondered if this is what it is like to be inside a glass of margaritas. Interesting comparison!

One of the deck hands caught a chunk of the glacier with a dip net for us to play with. It was so clear!

Yes, this was an interesting ice sculpture created by Mother Nature.

Some of the fog cleared and revealed this view of solid icebergs up to the face of the glacier.

Mr. Stan Stephens via the radio heard where some orcas had been spotted, so off we went. Soon, there they were, but by then it was windy, misting, with very rough seas (so glad I took some Dramamine - it worked great), so my photos are not too good being taken from inside through the window.

These two stellar sea lions where taking a siesta.

Our day on the Glacier Spirit is almost done.

Back in port, we were greeted by this playful otter, he was such a clown.

This is one full harbor.