Every tourist destination has its attractions. However, because every tourist is different, these attractions have greater or lesser value. In this series Gary gives his reasons for traveling to a particular place. Hopefully some of his thoughts will entice you to consider adding this particular location to your itinerary. The entire series is being categorized under the heading, “Spotlights.” However, you may find more about these locations in the archives of this website, under headings such as, “Great Places,” “Things to Do in,” “Best of,” “Top 10” and “Places of a Lifetime.” In addition, “Walking Tours” of many of these destinations may be available for purchase on the website for the low price of $1.49 each.

For stunning mountain scenery and up-close and personal examinations of a multitude of glaciers, there is no better place than Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. The park is accessible by cruise ship, so choose your itinerary and cruise line carefully (many do not venture into the park). Particular reasons for including this national park in your visit to Alaska are as follows:

1. Calving Glaciers are those which have reached the ocean’s edge and break off periodically as melting occurs. Glacier Bay has numerous calving glaciers.

Margerie Glacier

2. Spectacular scenery abounds as one traverses Glacier Bay.

Glacier Bay Scenery

3. Evidence of glaciers retreating, due to global warming, is everywhere within Glacier Bay, an indication that things are changing at an alarming rate. Below is an example of a receding glacier.

Grand Pacific Glacier