Mendenhall Glacier
Tuesday, we all drove back out to the Mendenhall Glacier, which is where we had gone to see the stars a couple of nights prior. In daylight, it was sort of crowded with tourists, though not too bad. There is a waterfall at one side of the glacier, which we had seen and heard the other night. There is a beaver dam, though it is covered by branches and you couldn’t really see it well. Maya and I had gone to the glacier on our prior trip to Juneau, in 1999 (when she was 3, so she doesn’t remember), and I could see that the glacier has receded some since then. It is a quiet and lovely spot to have an easy 2 mile hike. As you can see, we are back to the cloudy, drizzly weather that is more common in South East Alaska.
We then drove to the other side of the lake, where we had been star gazing, and I took this video of the waterfall from further away. You can hear the lapping of the waves, and the distant roar of the waterfall. It was truly lovely.
We had lunch at an interesting Asian restaurant, Asiana Garden, which has Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai food, though the majority of items on the menu are Chinese and Japanese. It was pretty good, and across the street was a sporting goods store where Maya bought me a new rain jacket, and Ted found his favorite brand of walking shoes at a 40% discount, because they were last year’s model. Score!
That evening was a light dinner at our Airbnb, leftover cheeses, some sauteed chicken, and salad. It was nice mixing the items that I got from a little grocery store around the corner with items from Richard and Kathy’s kitchen. Overall a really lovely day.
20 Comments
nance
So beautiful! I remember being so entranced by the blue of the ice in Alaska. And the water seemed so much fresher and justthisclose to becoming frozen even though it was summertime when we went. I think it was because it was so unspoiled and near glaciers and snow-topped land that I imagined it being icy and refreshing.
J
Nance, I think the water WAS cold. We found some ice at the edge of the lake above. Refreshing? Yes, but BRRR!
Margaret
We saw the Holgate glacier from our Kenai Fjords cruise and it was impressive. I couldn’t believe how large it was although my eyes told me that it was smaller than reality.
J
Margaret, What was most impressive to me was seeing how large the glaciers are from an airplane. I guess that is why those little planes take people on tours of the area, since most people come in on a cruise ship. You really get a much better idea of their size from above, whereas when you are looking at them from sea leve, you are absolutely right, they look much smaller than they are.
Melissa
I could listen to the water lapping at the edge of the lake all day. So relaxing! I hope to see a glacier someday.
J
They really are lovely, and I’m with you on the peaceful sound of the lake.
Tierney
Even though I just came back from vacation, your posts are inspiring me to think about Alaska for my next big trip (usually in the Fall every year). Thanks for the beautiful write-ups and photos!
J
Alaska is so wonderful!
Nicole MacPherson
This is so beautiful, J! What great photos!
J
Thank you Nicole!
Ally Bean
The scale of nature in Alaska is amazing. I’m not sure how I’d feel living around it, but it does make for magnificent photos.
J
Ally, I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right, the scale is amazing. I think I could live there again, but as my brother said, you do have to be prepared for the weather.
Stephany
Amazing photos and videos! What a peaceful yet awe-inspiring place to visit!
J
Thanks Stephany, it was so calm and peaceful, we loved it.
San
This looks amazing, Julie!
I’d really love to visit Alaska. I once had the pleasure to work on a 3D model of an Alaskan glacier for my work (unfortunately, my supervisor didn’t take me along when he went out to collect the data – haha). So fascinating.
J
San, I was so fascinated when flying in. The weather was clear and we were above the mountain range, and we could see glaciers and snow and lakes and rivers. So beautiful. Your 3D model sound so interesting!
Lisa’s Yarns
Wow that is gorgeous!! You are selling me on Alaska!! So great that Ted found shoes 40% off! I went to REI before my Banff trip to buy a raincoat which was on sale and then I found trail Hokas 40% off! I was so excited as I needed new trail shoes too.
J
Lisa, Alaska is definitely stunning, and Juneau is the most beautiful of all for me. But all of it is beautiful, and Juneau is so crowded with tourists, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Wow that glacier coming out of the mountains is so impressive. You can see the force of nature. A silent giant. How sad though that you could say it had been bigger last you saw it.
Again it all looks so beautiful.
J
Tobia, yes, it is beautiful. Thank you! They move so slowly.