| By Roy Witman | | | | beyond watching from afar. |
| When you say, "Alaska," most people begin to | | | | Explore Via Canoe |
| conjure images of bears roaming the wilderness, | | | | When you want to get up close and personal, step |
| moose grazing in the valley and salmon leaping from | | | | into a 31-foot canoe and pull alongside the Davidson |
| the rushing river currents. But did you know Alaska | | | | Glacier in Haines, Alaska. In addition, you'll encounter |
| has… | | | | whales, sea lions and other native creatures often so |
| · more coastline than all other states combined? | | | | close you would want to reach out and touch them. |
| · 3 million lakes? | | | | (Resist that urge!) |
| · 40% of its area protected in reserves and | | | | Step Out Onto A Glacier |
| national parks? | | | | The king of all tours is chartering a helicopter to fly |
| · over 100 glaciers spanning 14 million acres? | | | | you in, then actually stepping out onto a glacier. |
| It's the incredible blue-ice glaciers that have become | | | | There's a certain reverence you feel when standing |
| an enormous draw to wildlife lovers all around the | | | | next to massive, jagged ice juts knowing the glacier |
| world. And, since Alaska has so many to offer, it has | | | | they rise from took millions of years to form. |
| become the playground for glacier discovery. | | | | Outfitted with special glacier boots, your guide will |
| Cruising is one of the most exciting ways to explore | | | | take you trekking across one of numerous glaciers |
| glaciers because you are actually on the water. Many | | | | including Chilkat Glacier, Ferebee Glacier or Meade |
| cruise lines, including Holland America, offer tours to | | | | Glacier. Along the way, you'll thrill at cascading |
| Glacier Bay National Park, College Fjord, the Inside | | | | waterfalls and crystal-like rivers of ice. |
| Passage, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Hubbard | | | | Flightseeing At Its Best |
| Glacier. | | | | For photography buffs, flightseeing over wilderness |
| Glacier Bay National Park | | | | areas and glaciers is a must. Helicopters get you |
| A Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, | | | | closer than any plane could as you swoop over |
| a protected ecosystem of plants and | | | | waterfalls and lush rainforests on your way to the |
| animals… Glacier Bay National Park is all these | | | | Juneau Icefield with 36 named glaciers. A frozen, |
| things. But what excites most visitors are the glaciers | | | | serene wonderland, just being in this area commands |
| themselves. | | | | respect. Perhaps it's a sense of awe at this rare |
| According to Holland America's website, "… | | | | beauty. It could be concern for the future of this |
| when a monumental chunk of ice splits off a glacier | | | | region. In fact, while most glaciers are retreating due |
| and crashes into the sea, the sound is like thunder. | | | | to the possible affects of global warming, one in the |
| The impact shoots water hundreds of feet into the | | | | Juneau Icefield is still advancing. |
| air. You hold your breath as you catch the moment | | | | From icy spires to deep crevasses to eagles flying |
| on film. Then you wait for it all to happen again. And | | | | overhead, the photo opps on Alaska glaciers are |
| it does. Glacier Bay has more actively calving | | | | fantastic and sure to provide memories that will last a |
| tidewater glaciers than anyplace else in the world." | | | | lifetime. |
| Truly thrilling to watch! But glacier discovery goes far | | | | |