How can an experience feel desolate, detached and calm all
at the same time? As the cruise liner
entered the mouth of Glacier Bay, Alaska; it’s engines
slowed as some 1500 rubbernecks including myself were dashing on all decks to
get the best view possible. Why are more than 2 million tourists from all over
the world drawn to this place every year?
Unpredictable weather could include rain and dense fog, which at times
have made the glacier invisible.
Today the sun is shining, the water is calm allowing the
surrounding mountains and glacier to be mirrored in a most sacred beauty. The
ship turns a 360-degree angle to give all passengers the ideal view. It is fairly
quiet on deck; everyone has a camera of some sort endeavoring to catch any
changing mood of this magnificent scene. As the Sun shines on this ornate piece
of original art the colors reflect hues of blue, green, turquoise and as the
clouds cover the sun another portrait appears.
We watch the landscape changing before our eyes as giant
pieces of ice break away and display diamond like bergs in the icy water.
I ponder this
majestic intimidating and ever-changing landscape. It is one of the world’s
largest protected natural areas. The ship moves slowly out of the bay and I see
new growth along the shoreline, as the glacier melts away to give birth to life
which 250 years ago was once covered in a blanket of ice. Here we see the
possibilities and resilience of nature. I am so reminded of how connected we
are to the earth and all creation. And for whatever reason this journey through
time became both a therapeutic and spiritual experience.
