Alaska Cruise Day 3

This morning was overcast again. It looked like it wanted to rain, but I said a quick prayer that it would stay away - guess it worked, no rain today.

We arrived at Icy Strait Point mid-morning. This is a new port for Alaska and they allow only one ship a day in port. Good thing because it's a small place.

Icy Strait Point is home to members of the Tlingit Tribe who have inhabited much of Southeastern Alaska since 900-1400 AD. Because of advancing glaciers they were forced to move to what now is the village of Hoonah, just a mile from Icy Strait Point.

Icy Strait Point was the home of the former Hoonah Packing Company. At it's peak the company would turn out 150,000 cases (48 1 lb cans to a case) of salmon each year. The cannery closed in 1953 and is now a museum. They have added restaurants, shops, a theatre/culture center and a new dock to attract tourism.

Dean and I elected to take in the show in the theatre/culture center. It was very nice, with a grandfather of the tribe telling us the tribal story of the Raven. They also performed tribal dances and told what the meaning was of each one. After the show they included a bus ride to Hoonah, but we passed on it so I could do some shopping.

After returning to the ship we spotted a bald eagle flying between us and land. Of course, my camera wasn't in my hand, so I missed a great photo op, darn! We watched him as he flew into a tree top and sat there until the ship sailed. Unfortunately, he was just to far away for me to get a good picture, but I did keep an eye on him with the binoculars.

As we cruised away from Icy Strait Point we saw many whales, all humpbacks I think and all to far away for pictures. This happened yesterday as well. Oh well, I'll get those pictures yet!

The evening was spent having dinner, watching the show in the theater which was a singer/dancer who was very good, testing out the casino again, where I won $2.00 and a cruise video. As long as I stay ahead in the casino, I'll be happy.

After returning to our cabin we spotted our first glacier as we sailed toward Hubbard Glacier - really neat. There are so many glaciers in Alaska, I'm not sure that they have a count.