Wind Songs: The Very Blue Glacier

This morning my Mountain Boy, my dog and I walked close to Mendenhall Glacier in the Valley.

We have walked close to the glacier and Nuggett Falls many many times, but today decided that we would walk on the flat and open trails close to the glacier that we have not yet explored.

The weather was calm and mild, and even though there is no snow near the house, the temperature close to the glacier is always about 10 degrees colder.

As we drove through the Valley and closer to this wonderful place the amount of snow on the ground increased.

Again, as I have been many times since arriving in Juneau, I was surprised at how localized the weather can be in the area.

No snow downtown, small amounts of snow in parts of the Valley, no snow in other parts of the Valley, deep snow by Montana Creek, a good level of snow by the glacier.

The expression in Tennessee is "if you don't like the weather just wait for 10 minutes and it will change".

Here in Juneau the saying could be "if you don't like the weather just drive for 10 minutes and it will change".........

The original plan was to only walk for a few minutes on very easy walkways that surround a creek by the glacier.

These walkways and easy trails were built specifically for tourists to take a quick walk at this most popular of tourist attractions.

They are designed for easy walking, salmon viewing, and for potential black bear viewing.

A quick visit to the Juneau glacier so that the cruise shippers can put a check mark on their "saw it" list.........

When we left the house the sky was trying valiantly, after a week straight of rain, to let the sun shine.

By the time we arrived at the glacier I had time to take only one picture of blue sky before nature gave up on the attempt at sunshine..........

We drove around the main parking area when we first arrived but it was full.

As LC drove around the circular parking lot and headed towards the secondary lot, I looked out over the glacier and saw many people walking along the shore.

It has been raining and mild all week, and with today finally drying out Juneauites were enjoying this quiet winter Saturday outside.

I was glad that my family and I had decided to wander away from the glacier.

I did not want to be around people, and was pleased to see that we had the secondary parking lot almost completely to ourselves.

Thankfully we were the only people on these easy to walk trails today...........

One of the scenes that I have really come to love this winter is the sight of fast moving and freezing cold streams and creeks surrounded on both sides by snowy banks.

I find myself stopping on the side of the roads many times just so I can stand on bridges and overpasses taking pictures of scenes similar to these...........

One more cold black creek surrounded on both sides by snow.

Mt McGinnis on the opposite side of Mendenhall Lake...........

What we have always done in the past when we have walked this user friendly trail is turn left at the end of it, hitting a short gravel trail that quickly circles back towards the parking lot.

On the spur of the moment today we decided to veer to the right instead and pick up a snow and ice covered trail.

We did not know anything about the trail, but it was a lovely and quiet day, and we both badly needed to be outside.

Jamie, with perky butt and perky tail, was loving every minute of this walk and we happily let her set the pace.

The trail contained views of the mountains that surrounded us 360 degrees.

Even though we were walking in the opposite direction from it, the day was quiet enough that we could hear Nuggett Falls crashing close to the glacier.

The small and snow covered pine trees all around us were beautiful.

My favorite trees.

Christmas trees.............

A small frozen pond immediately off the trail.........

There was no-one else out there but us, we had the trail entirely to ourselves, and I fought hard to push work out of my mind as I walked.

I fought hard but was only partially successful.

Fighting to stay in the moment, on this beautiful trail, with a good man and a good dog who both love me............

As we continued on this snow and ice covered quiet trail we eventually began to circle back towards our starting point.

Moss covered hard wood tree trunks and branches along the side of the trail...........

Every moment walking on the trail was a moment of sanity.

Every small and silent snow field we passed was a moment of love for this beautiful place.

Every time I see something this lovely it stops me in my tracks, for the briefest of moments and reminds me, not just of where I am, but also of WHO I am..........

LC navigating an icy patch on the trail............

Signs close to the parking lot, providing information for visitors on bear and salmon..........

These pictures of the creek were taken at a viewing bridge close to the parking lot.

LC and I stood there looking at the water for a long time.

Talking and planning and talking and enjoying the quiet of each others company..........

We walked a couple of easy miles, returned to my truck, dropped our dog off and walked over to the Visitors Center to explore this place in the quiet of winter.

No tourists and free entry during the winter.

The walk was just long enough for my dog to burn off her enthusiastic energy, but not so long that she will be sore and tired for the next day.

She looked pitiful as we left her in the truck and headed for the Visitors Center, and we both felt appropriately guilty.

My truck that is turning out to be a very good truck..........