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 trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.