June 20 Dodging Bergy Bits in Tracey Arm

We managed to "tear" our selves away from the ravenous bugs in Hobart Bay and moved on North. In search of or first glacier sighting we turned into Tracey Arm off Stephen's Passage. The cruising book warned that the trip was 22 miles and that many people are turned back by the abundance of floating ice and qthe peril which they present.

Even before we crossed "Tracey Bar" at the entrance to the fiord we were struck with the size of the icebergs. They floated out in the main channel and gathered along the shoreline. The colors were such deep rich colors of icy blue...yes, we took pictures but they will never do it justice. It has been record breaking temperatures locally and we think this increased the number of bergs falling off the glacier. They finally became so close together that we had to turn around about 2 miles short of the actaul glacier. It only took hitting one to convince us that it was not worth puttiang our vessel or our prop at that much risk.

The tip was not wasted as the sights we encountered were glorious. In addition to the bergy and "bergy bits" we enjoyed an abundance of waterfalls the like of which we have never seen. Many tour boats as well as other personal vessels enjoyed the sights and "posed" in front of the natural wonders. Most of the tour boats are designed to withstand the ice and I expect before the trip is over we will board on to get "up close and personal" with a glacier.

At the end of our day we pulled up to another quiet, secluded government dock this time in Taku Harbor. The cruising books predicted bears and river otter on the dock...neither one materialized but instead we again had the pesky, large flying, biting insects. In spite of their presence we took a walk along the shoreline to check out a old abandoned cannery site. Afterwards we joined other boaters (OK 8 of us total) on the dock to tell cruising stories while we each attempted to swat away the eager bugs. Finally we retreated to the shelter of our boats and leisure pursuits...reading, listening to satellite radio and doing needlepoint.

Tomorrow north to Juneau...

Linda

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