Glacier Gazing in Endicott Arm

June 15

Three years ago when we visited Endicott Arm, I wrote in my logbook --

“Not sure I’ve experienced any other day in my life filled with such vast, non-stop awe-inspiring beauty.”

Much in my life has changed since then. What's important. And what's not. But the experience in Endicott was a repeat WOW! The unintended dramatic stageset of nature will always touch me.

Endicott Arm is 23-mile fjord, which for us, cruising at 7 knots, takes more than 3 hours to reach its end. Assuming it’s not blocked by ice. Along the way, we amuse ourselves pointing out the many animals, objects and imaginary shapes in the ice.

 

We decided this one, with its reflection, looks like a giant fish.

Granite cliffs 4,800 feet high tower over us on each side, with fir and spruce trees climbing up from the waters edge, until it’s too high for trees to grow, and all you see are veils of waterfalls spraying down vertical craggy faces with sprigs of greenery trying to cling here and there in the unforgiving terrain.

If you have patience, Endicott Arm is a joy to cruise. At every twist and turn you are treated to a surprise. Like mother seals with their pups sunning themselves on floats of ice. We felt like we were intruding on their  nap time ... which in reality, we truly were.

Just when we wondered if we were ever going to reach the end of the arm, we made a turn and there in all of its glory was Dawes Glacier. It’s a huge face marked by two parallel dark tracks, as if a tractor just ran right over the glacier into the water.

We sat there for close to an hour, taking photos and soaking in its glory. In awe. There is something special about Alaska ... and Endicott Arm ... that always makes me feel closer to God.