Our last full morning on board ship was dedicated to one of Alaska’s most exciting natural treasurers: Hubbard Glacier. Named after the founder and president of the National Geographic Society, it is the longest tidewater glacier in the world. At approximately 7 miles wide, 76 miles long and as tall as a 30-story building above the waterline, it’s the largest river of ice in North America and dramatically massive. It is estimated that this river of ice that flows directly into Disenchantment Bay began forming 400 to 500 years ago from the snowfalls on the slopes of Mount Logan. While most of the world’s glaciers are retreating, Hubbard Glacier has continued to thicken over the years.

We made our approach starting around 6:30 this morning and were situated as close to it as the captain dared or was allowed by 8:30. Binoculars in hand, I (Typhoid Mary) enjoyed the approach from our balcony and the rest met for an early breakfast and enjoyed it there.

The weather was cooperative: overcast with low clouds that kept moving lower as we made our approach and then retreated once we got there. At the entrance of the bay waterfall after waterfall looked like white ribbons running down the sides of the velvet green mountains on the starboard side of the ship. Landslides were evident; some peaks were snow capped; and small ice flows and mini-icebergs were more numerous as we got closer.

By the time we were face to face with the glacier our little gang was bundled up and enjoying the view together on our respective balconies which, by the way, are lined up side by side. The captain did two 360 degree turns so that everyone, cabin bound or not, had perfect views of the face of the gigantic aqua river of ice. It calved a few times for our enjoyment and was noisier than we expected. It sounded like thunder in the background and like little pops from fireworks up close.

I ordered my easy-on-the-tummy breakfast and enjoyed it while we moved slowly out of the bay. Views from the balcony door were gorgeous. The mountains that hugged the shore on our side of the ship (starboard) almost seemed within reach. They did not have falls of water like I saw on our approach, but they did have falls of something black that ran from the top and ended in pools of what looked like black sand near the water’s edge. These ribbons of black were a stark contrast to the ultra-green snow capped mountains.

Once out of the bay we headed north and enjoyed our last day at sea. The others had the run of the ship, met for lunch, and attended the lecture on bald eagles. I amused myself in the room with my book, a movie (The Man From Toronto), a hot shower, a room service lunch, and a little bit of pre-packing.

I got the all clear from Medical at 4:00 PM, so I was able to join the others for a last four-course meal in the dining room. We all passed on the evening’s entertainment, so we could get organized and have our bags tagged and in the hallway before 10:00 PM.

All things considered, it was a great last full day on board ship.