Glacier Bay: Alaska Day 4

Today we got to spend a large portion of the day transiting Glacier Bay. Here massive glaciers stretch from the ice-draped St. Elias and Fairweather mountain ranges to sit at the end of the fjords. The view was absolutely spectacular. We got to see a tidewater glacier that was several hundred feet taller than our ship and 22 miles long. It snakes its way through snow drenched mountains to meet the ocean below.

The view transiting Glacier Bay

We discovered a set of hot tubs on the back of the ship that provided excellent viewing of the glacier and just after we were positioned there we were treated with an incredible display of calving from the glacier. We saw 3 or 4 huge pieces of the glacier break off and tumble into the sea below. Thus, an iceberg is born.

One of the glaciers

During breakfast we ate with a couple of actors from New York! Apparently the woman we met is the person in the Web MD commercial with the curly hair who says “Depression.” Though she has only been in that commercial aside from Broadway plays I still thought it was cool to meet an actress!

This evening we went to a lounge where they were putting on a Family Feud style game show. James and I met several other people around our age and we formed our Feud team, The Barely Legals. I was one of the 5 who went on stage to take on a team of old retired folk. We got absolutely rocked by those seniors, especially after a woman no younger than 75 named herself as an object that performs better when warmed up.

Afterwards I got to know a couple of girls from Georgia, named Shanna and Britney. This was a big success for me as all those who know me well know that I am pitifully shy so talking to two girls simultaneously was a big step for me! I also met a Chinese-Canadian from Vancouver which I thought created an interesting accent.

After the Feud gameshow we went to see an illusionist (magic show but illusionist sounds so much cooler) named Alexander. He was quite impressive! He did several tricks with levitation and disappearance that were very convincing. He also dispelled my theory that the audience members who participated in his tricks were planted when he called my parents up on stage! Alexander works with a scantly clad blond named Heather on most of his tricks and my dad drew laughs from the whole theater when he was asked by Alexander to inspect a large bag and while he was doing so he said “Where’s Heather?” It was hilarious though slightly embarrassing!

To cap off the night James and I went up with our newfound friends to the nightclub of the ship called Skywalkers, as it is on the 16^th deck overlooking the back of the ship. Although it was quite loud because of the DJ there we tried to make conversation which I for once didn’t feel shy about. I also apparently have an honest face as they were carding everyone who was there to make sure they were 18, and I didn’t bring my license, but the guard took my word that I was indeed 20.

Anyway we spent a while talking before someone made a horrifying suggestion. We should go dancing! If you have not seen my attempt at dancing before, it can easily be confused with the motions of Sockem Bopem Robots. Though that might be a little optimistic. Basically I was my usual awkward self and though I was getting smiles, I knew that was because of my pathetic attempt of moving in time to the music and not my incredible moves! So shortly after we headed to bed. Therefore I have decided that I will endeavor to learn to dance, so to those of you who may be reading this, I am willing to learn from anyone willing to teach!