We cruised into Juneau this morning. The temperature was 47 degrees with a feels like a bit cooler and a 10mph ESE wind. It was another cloudy day with off and on rain. We had a “triple” shore excursion today that started with a visit to Mendenhall Glacier within the Tongass National Forest, whale watching, and a delicious lunch at the Orca Point Lodge on Colt Island. Not only did we see spectacular views of Mendenhall Glacier, we were able to hike to Nugget Falls and experience them only steps away. If it weren’t so cold, the spray would have been refreshing. Mendenhall is considered a mountain glacier and is about 13.6 miles long. The tour company allotted 65 minutes at this stop. Alan and I wanted to do two hikes that totaled 2.3 miles total. The visitor information advised it would take 1 hr 35 minutes to walk both trails and have time for viewing. We walked fast and were rewarded with stunning views. After visiting the glacier, we moved to the oceanfront and boarded a boat for whale watching. I probably took over 150 pictures and still couldn’t capture the magic of seeing a whale (or two together), blow/exhale, slightly surface and then dive with its tail the last to enter the water. Several of our sightings included two whales together - almost certainly a mother and calf. We also witnessed a bald eagle soar by. After about two hours of whale watching, we motored by boat for lunch at the Orca Point Lodge. The food was delicious; the salmon chowder was the best of the trip so far and the butternut squash was as creamy as, and tasted like, pumpkin pie! Add a small salmon filet, a sample of local steak, sourdough bread baked locally, more sides and it was a feast! Alan and I also sampled four beers from Forbidden Peak Brewery.
Along the trail to Nugget Falls.
This is one of my favorite photos.
Nugget Falls.
Another view of Mendenhall Glacier as the sun peaked out for a few minutes.
Two whales as the dove beneath the surface.
A different whale with a better view of a tail.
The whale watching boat docked at Orca Point Lodge.
Orca Point Lodge.
Alan and I shared a flight of these local brews. For the non-beer drinkers, a flight is usually 3 or 4 three ounces pours. Four samples would be the equivalent of one beer.
Flowers outside the lodge.