Day 23 ~ Petersburg to Petersburg via Le Conte Glacier

My sleep was restless because I had a few concerns about our planned excursion to the glacier. I woke up at 3:50 a.m. the first time, went back to sleep and then that darn rooster started crowing at 6:00 a.m. By 6:15 Dad was chomping at the bit for us to get up and started singing reveille. Then he reminded us that anytime we have to set an alarm we were back on the ‘Hell Ship’.

We departed at 6:30 a.m. under overcast skies and a chill in the air with a direct course for the icebergs. Dad and Gene were at the helm and I worked while my connection held. As we approached the bay we realized that we were actually sneaking up on an ice field. We knew that this morning was going to be a challenge, and our observations confirmed our anticipation. The ice started from a scattered field to a dense field of ‘williwaws’. We had read that clear sharp edged ones that floated undetected, mostly below surface, were of the most concern.  

Dad decided that the best solution to ensuring a safe passage for the Simbalaut was for me, his first born to get in the air filled dinghy and be a major bow buddy. When I first got in little Simby I was more than just a bit concerned about Dad’s latest plan and my welfare. With great trepidation, I slowly became Jackie Cousteau and motored around the bergs like they were an obstacle course.

The beast became the beauty and soon we all became mesmerized. The colors and shapes were unbelievable and the sounds that they make as they move and transform was magical.

At one point, we decided to get some pictures of the Simbalaut in the ice and Dad motored behind a couple and I took some pictures. On take 1, Gene was standing on the side of the boat taking pictures. On take 2, Dad motored past them and I took some amazing pictures. On take 3, I was taking a video and just as the stern passed the one of them; it started calving and spooked Dad.  

The variety we saw in the icebergs was truly amazing. Some of them look like a raspberry blue snow cone and others looked like a sculpture in a glass museum.  We had fun picking out shapes like picking out images in clouds.

Then the tide started to change, the icebergs started to move and we realized the power that they had and decided that our dance with the bergs needed to an end. As we idled back towards Petersburg we had lunch and fished all the way back without a bite.

Back in the harbor we decided that since it was Gene’s last night to be with us that we would go out for dinner in celebration of our great adventure. We all got cleaned up and headed to the Beach Comber Inn in Scow Bay. The folks in Petersburg were extremely welcoming and it was fun to hang out with them. It was a martini night and we got our noses more than just a little wet!!!  It was a good thing that they provided a shuttle service because we were soused!