After waiting 4 rainy days the storm cleared for a spectacular cruise in Prince William Sound. Even in a solemn mood I couldn't help but think back to the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. Though we didn't get to the areas where the spill actually landed we did see Bligh Reef where the tanker ran aground. It was the ice from the Columbia Glacier that caused the "normal" maneuver that ran the ship aground, the Sound's own beauty was the cause for the devastating disaster.

Some sea lions basking on the rocks in the sound...

A few sea otters doing what they do best... float around...

Mear's Glacier - this particular glacier is in an "advancing stage". The glacier is pushing into the ocean growing larger each year. Glaciers go though periods of receding and advancing dependent on amounts of snow and ice at the tops of the glacier. The periods are cyclical, measured over decades of hundreds of years. 

Some icebergs from the Mear's Glacier... amazing how much debris is mixed in with the ice.

We actually witnessed a huge ice caving... the glacier comes alive with loud creeks and cracks at the ice is falling to the sea.  Below is a picture of the ensuing wave as it was roaring toward the boat.

A shot of Columbia Glacier - this glacier is in a receding period so we were unable to get to the face of the glacier. The ice from this glacier is what caused the Exxon Valdez to alter its normal path from the safe shipping lanes.

The actual glacier is 6 miles back behind a wall of huge icebergs that form an ice fence. The icebergs are caught on the shallow sea floor from the initial push of the glacier. The must melt to a small enough size that they can pass the shallow floor and continue their float into the sound.

Joe with Columbia Glacier in the background. This was taken on Growler Island.

Greg with Columbia Glacier in the background. This was taken on Growler Island.