May 31, 2015 -- I woke up on the first full day of our cruise to the whirring of the ship’s engine and water gently sloshing on the side of the Wilderness Explorer. We were making our way to Bartlett Cove in Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve.
While we were docking on this foggy, gray morning, looking out the window of our cabin, I saw a young woman standing outside. Dressed all in green, she had a backpack and was wearing rubber boots and a wool hat. Bouncing up and down on her heels, she was eagerly awaiting our arrival. It was 8 a.m.
The young woman in green was the forest ranger who would stay with us on the ship for the next two days. Because cruise ships of any size can’t go into Glacier Bay in Alaska without a forest ranger on board.
Thank God for that, because Ranger Jenny knew everything about the park and its glaciers, plants, and wildlife. And I mean everything.
She was probably very happy to get away from her post at Bartlett Cove for a few days. There was a lodge and a few buildings there and a very small town nearby. But not much else.
But, hey, you don’t become a park ranger in Alaska unless you like these remote, beautiful places.
My husband Richard and I ate lunch with Ranger Jenny that first day and I discovered that she had lived for a short time in the same town in Central Illinois that I’d grown up in. We were both from Normal. Her mom still lives there and she goes to visit three or four times a year.
Who’d have thought that there would be another Normal girl on this small cruise ship in Glacier Bay? Turns out there were two.
Another passenger, Gayle, was also from Normal. She and I had graduated from the same high school. Her parents still live there as well.
So, yes, it is a small world. Even in the majestic expanses of Alaska.
The agent had great response to questions and coordinated well to create an itinerary that met our expectations.
Bob Sunshine
1 day ago
Very responsive to all questions
Teresa Cardoso
2 days ago
Kelly and Rhenee were excellent to work with on planning our trip. The logistics all worked smoothly and everyone was friendly and on time. Our accommodations were very good, particularly the incredible Patagonia Camp in Torres del Paine! Our guides on every excursion were outstanding and made the hikes memorable! Overall we had a wonderful trip with incredible memories!
Scott Gibson
2 days ago
Adventure Life is definitely a first-class safari tour company, and our representative was Franny Friesz. First of all, she responded immediately after we contacted Adventure Life. We told Franny that we had never been on a safari, and she was more than eager to offer a mountain of information about the trip. She informed us fully about all the ups, downs, and all arounds! She even prepared a number of packages for us to review -- even after we made changes to the areas we wanted to explore. Friendly, helpful, professional, and extremely knowledgeable -- these words describe Franny, and what a wonderful trip she prepared! We couldn't have asked for better service than Franny of Adventure Life. We HIGHLY recommend her and her outstanding company! Bon Voyage!
Prima Burke
3 days ago
The staff at Adventure Life made planning my family's trip to the Galapagos Islands as easy as possible. They listened to what we were hoping to experience and made thoughtful suggestions about how to accomplish our vacation goals while meeting the needs of travelers ages 17-76! They patiently answered questions and follow up questions in the months leading up to the trip. They helped us trouble shoot and customize the trip in every way possible. The logistics involved in traveling from Boston to the Galapagos are innumerable. The Adventure Life staff helped us arrange every detail and the team they assembled in the Galapagos was tremendous. I have never done a trip this big before and after working with Adventure Life this time--would not hesitate one second in working with them again.