Making it to the Face of Tiger Glacier, Alaska

In the far southwest reaches of Prince William Sound, there is a protected fjord known as Icy Bay. I love to visit here because we always have it all to ourselves, and the scenery is second to none. The wall of the fjord crater up to thousands of feet, waterfalls tumbled down the sheer sides, mountains goats scamper in impossible spots along the cliffs, and a massive glacier, filled with blue ice, slow motions tumbles into the sea at the end.

Last week we were blocked from access to the face of the glacier because the surface of the ocean was frozen solid for about a mile. I even got out and walked on it, just to test it. The fact that I didn't fall through, made me think that this ice was here to stay for awhile. So imagine my surprise when we showed up this morning, and got closer, and closer, and closer, until finally, we were at the face of the glacier.

The guests awed at the deep blue ice in the glacier, and then, suddenly, a huge chunk calved off the face and crashed down into the water. It send waves speeding out in all directions. Luckily we were in deep water, where the wave was just a gentle roll under the skiff. After spending time soaking in the glacier, we motored off down the fjord, on a nature and scenery cruise. On the way we found mountain goats, a trumpeter swan, and lots of fun water birds that call these calm waters there home.