Glacier Bay National Park

Susan and I had an incredible time at Glacier Bay National Park this past week.  We arrived in Gustavus on the Alaska State Ferry, and were shuttled to the Glacier Bay Lodge.  If you are looking for all the modern amenities, you have come to the wrong place.  No cell phone coverage on the property, no televisions in the rooms, and no WIFI in the rooms.  There is WIFI in the Lodge, but just enough to send a text or email.  However, if you want an opportunity to enjoy nature without distraction, this is the place for you. 

This is the view from our room.

The housing, while rustic, was very comfortable and clean.  This is the boardwalk connecting the various rooms.

The Lodge was housed in the same building as the Glacier National Park Visitor Center, which was very convenient.  There was also a restaurant that provides a very nice breakfast buffet and dinner.  There is also a gift store located in the Lodge.

We got up early the next morning to board our vessel, the St. Theodosius. It was very nice, with plenty of indoor seating and viewing areas outside.  It was a rare gem of a day in Southeast Alaska, with light winds and temperatures in the 60s.  

After the required Coast Guard briefing, we were on our way.  It wasn't long before we encountered our first wildlife:  Humpback Whales.  We would see them frequently throughout the day.  In one instance, they were bubble feeding.

Our first stop was the Marble Islands, an important area for bird nesting.  Leading up to Marble Islands is a haul-out rock for Sea Lions.  We stopped and observed them for a while.  They were highly entertaining, as they were noisy and barking at each other.

We then moved on to Marble Island, and observed many birds.  

Tufted Puffin

Horned Puffin

Pigeon Guillemot

We continued our journey north into Glacier Bay.  At Gloomy Knob, we stopped to observe 10-12 Mountain Goats on a cliff.  They were amazing to watch, and we saw one with a baby.

Continuing North, someone spotted two Brown Bear on the beach.  It appeared to be a Mother with a larger cub.

Sea Otters are ubiquitous in the Park and are everywhere.

Continuing to journey North, we stopped at the first Glacier:  Margerie Glacier. We stopped and listened to it snap, crackle, and pop.

The next stop was the Lamplugh Glacier.  It has a very strong blue hue, so much so that it is popularly known as "Lamplugh the Blue."

On the way back, we were able to view the Grand Pacific Glacier.  It was fascinating to learn that when the ink was still wet on John Hancock's signature, Glacier Bay was completely covered by a glacier.  While the Grand Pacific Glacier once filled the entire Bay, extending into Icy Straits, it has now receded all the way up to the head of the Bay.  It is pictured here, looking into British Columbia.

There were icebergs all throughout the Bay, especially near the Glaciers.

We saw Harbor Seals resting on one of the icebergs.

The Fairweather Mountain Range is located within the park, with the highest peak being Mt. Fairweather, standing at 15,325 feet.  It is the all white peak in the picture below.

It was now time to head back to the dock, satisfied with a beautiful day in the park of viewing wildlife and glaciers.

After disembarking, we caught a quick picture in front of the National Park Sign.

We loved our time in Glacier Bay National Park, and highly recommend it.  

Mountains and Where Our Help Comes From

I’m drawn to mountains. Mt. Edgecumbe, pictured above, is one of my favorites.  This extinct volcano, resembling a mini-Mt.Fuji, is an iconic landmark in my hometown of Sitka, Alaska.  It has nostalgic value to me, as I spent my formative years observing it.  Dad and I spent days upon days fishing around Mt. Edgecumbe.  It still evokes emotion when I first see it on the jet approach into Sitka.

Since moving to South Central Alaska in 2008, I have been captivated by Mt. Denali.  Towering at 20,310 feet, Denali is the highest peak in North America.  I can see it to the north on a clear day, as I’m getting on the highway to drive to Anchorage from Eagle River, although it is 130 miles away.  There is something about Denali that beckons to me.   I have spent glorious days in Denali National Park observing it, and I took the picture below on one of those trips.

The biblical writers also had an interest in mountains.  Psalm 121 is known as a “Song of Ascent,” one of the songs that the pilgrims would sing on their journey to Jerusalem.  Verse 1 begins with a question:  “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121:1, NIV).  Good question!  

Mountains figured prominently in the story of the Bible, with both good and bad things occurring on their peaks.  On one hand, the worship of false gods occurred on the high places.  The mountains were also known as a place of danger.

On the other hand, many powerful events recorded in Scripture took place on mountain tops.  Moses met with God on Mt Sinai, and the 10 Commandments were given.  Jesus was transfigured on a mountain top, and Jesus withdrew to pray on a mountain.  The most important event in human history transpired on a hill.  As the old song goes, “On a hill far away, stood an old rugged cross…”

Many people today are asking, along with the Psalmist, “Where does our help come from?”  In the midst of a pandemic and in the division that exists in our country, where does our help come from?  Can politics, science, or religion provide the answer?  It might be more personal for you.  You may have experienced the loss of a loved one, be suffering from an addiction, or feel yourself slipping into depression.  Where is the help?

Fortunately, the Psalmist does not dwell long on the question before providing the answer.  In verse two, the Psalmist declared, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2, NIV)  Just as in ancient times, our help comes from the Lord.  The Lord gives purpose when we are drifting, joy when we are experiencing sorrow, freedom when we are bound, and salvation when we are lost. 

When you gaze upon the mountains, I encourage you to think of the Lord.  During these unpredictable times, draw close to God, the true source of our help.

Chasing Aurora and Seeking God

This Winter, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about, locating, and taking pictures of the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. To be clear, I am a novice.  It has been a journey filled with wonder and the excitement of the chase.  I have found them on nine separate nights so far this season.  My highlight was this past weekend, when a G-1 Geomagnetic storm hit.  Susan and I happened to be driving North to Fairbanks when we noticed a weak band of Aurora forming, and drove into a sizeable pullout north of Healy.  I set up my camera, and before long the sky filled with dancing Auroras of various colors.  We were amazed.  The skies lit up, providing a show we had not anticipated, which we experienced with no one else around. 

An hour later, the lights subsided.  My hands and feet were numb and the knobs on my tripod froze up.  The temperature was -27 degrees, not counting the wind chill.  Susan had the good sense to stay in the warm car and watch the light show.  A State Trooper was nice enough to check in on us, making sure we weren’t stranded in the cold. 

It was a magical night, one that I will not soon forget.  Since that night, I have felt nudged by the Lord with a gentle reminder.  We should have that similar awe-filled wonder of Him.  Seeking after the Lord is similar to chasing Auroras in several ways.

Intentionality – Why have I seen more Aurora this year than in the rest of my life combined?  It’s simple – I have looked for them.  That looking comes at a cost – time, loss of sleep, standing in the cold, money for gas.  The search has been worth it to me and the same is true in our seeking after God.  I am convinced that we do not have encounters with God because we are not looking for them.  It’s time to put some intentionality in our seeking after God.  As the Psalmist said, ““As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1, ESV)

Study – I have spent time learning about the Aurora Borealis and have even learned a new vocabulary, including terms like Bz, Kp, solar flares, and solar winds.  My studying has helped me to find the Auroras with greater frequency.  In the same way, studying the Bible informs our pursuit of God.  We are not seeking after a god who is unknown or changing.  We are seeking the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, existing in the Trinity as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Being grounded in the Word will guide us in an accurate understanding of our pursuit of God.

Avoid Light Pollution – This is the number one rule in chasing Auroras.  You need to get away from city lights, as they make it hard to see the Aurora.  When we are seeking after God, we must determine to reduce the noise in our lives to allow us to hear the voice of God.

Keep the Wonder – With all the studying I might do on the Aurora, I never really know for sure how the show will unfold.  When it happens, I am filled with awe and wonder and I hope that sense of awe remains. Let us keep a sense of mystery and awe-filled wonder at the very thought of having an encounter with the Living God. Let us never feel that we have God figured out. 

What are you seeking?  Whatever you are seeking—that is what you will find.