Day 26 (July 16)--Glacier View, AK

Today became a bucket list day even though I didn't have this on my list! But first....let me explain how we are able to do this 40 day trip.

Jeff works most mornings. That's how. Y'all know I'm on summer break so as long as we work our trip schedule around Jeff's work needs, we're good. In fact, it's 9am at our campsite and I just came out for coffee. Jeff has been busy out here for almost an hour already and he's currently on the phone talking about a project. This trip wouldn't be possible if he couldn't do this. Thank you to his guys he has working for/with him for being so capable and Starlink Internet for the ability to communicate!

Now...back to the good stuff! Last night we passed a sign that said "glacier access" and since we had no plans for the day except to be bums, we took a picture so we could call this morning about what we could do. Imagine my surprise when the lady on the phone said we would get to WALK on the glacier!!! When she also mentioned the amazing discount for veterans, I booked it without asking Jeff anything except what time he could make it work since he was on some calls. Side note: Alaska is very American proud. They honor veterans at many locations that you wouldn't think. 

We passed by this glacier driving in July 3rd but we never took the time to research anything about it. Matanuska Glacier Park is breathtaking, educational, and oh so fun! We signed our waivers, paid, and drove another mile to the starting point. Each tour takes 2-3 hours depending on how fast people walk (or in my case, how many things I stopped to take pictures of! We actually got invited to the front of the group so I could set the pace since I fell behind at the beginning. I told y'all in another blog--we look at and explore EVERYTHING when we're out and about! Blame my 3 other people too--they're the ones who bend down to touch!!)

Starting point where we met our guide. 

Walking the bridge to get to the glacier. See? We're at the back and I'm already taking pics! 🤷

At this point, Ry was still grumpy that we weren't going to stay in bed all day (like we'd jokingly discussed the night before). After about 10 minutes on the glacier, he was back to his happy self--but still not ready for ALL these pics!

We put on spikes so we'd be able to walk in the glacier easier and got on our way. 

Side note: I have not taken the time to go through all the pics we took --Jeff took as many as I did! Pretty sure you can click on the pic and it will enlarge. Normally I crop/fix but I haven't yet for these. 

Then we got to walking/crunching! It sounded like we were walking on Sonic ice! The thin layer of dirt or mud (depending on where we were) was washed away in many area so you could see the ice below. It looked black but it's not--and it's called basal ice--the deepest glacial ice.

Some areaslooked more white as it was uncovered.

It looks like we're walking on clouds!

We walked over "baby crevasse".

And then learned about "mama crevasse".

Another view of "baby".

Walked over some larger crevasses. 

If one kid does it, the other does too! Arms in water almost up to their elbows for at least 10 seconds. 🤷 Must be a male thing. Only my fingers got in!

Hiking DOWN ice is not my forte!

But I did it!

Everyone got a water bottle filled with pristine glacier water and Ry's face says it all:

"It's good!!"

Glacial ice 

A "Mulan" (I think that's what he called it). It's basically a deep abyss that you're never coming back from if you fall. Layman's terms! Jeff and Bennett wanted a closer look! (The guide took them--don't worry!)

Jeff and I got a little glacial mud for a tiny facial!

This day was amazing and we are so fortunate it happened! 

Afterwards we headed towards Tok--pur next destination for adventure! Prayers for continued safe travels .