Juneau

I didn't bring enough warm clothes for Juneau. This was apparent when I stepped out of the terminal with my sandals and socks and light fleece exercise coverup. So I am tired (jet lag bad this trip) and cold.

Of course Barbara met me. The airport was a bit less hectic than Seattle or Philly. You walk out of the terminal and the lot's right there, kind of like Reading, PA. And the parking costs $1.00. Barbara took us first to the Mendenhall Glacier so that her dog Josie could take a brisk swim. The glacier is in the distance -- much receded from 20 years ago -- with a glacier lake up front. On the lake were ice floes -- several of them. There were also groups of rafters on an excursion -- presumbly to see the glacier up close. They use the glacial ice at parties -- particularly weddings. Barbara always says 10,000-year-old ice, a good symbol to promote a permanent relationship.

The light is amazing, because of course it doesn't change. As we ate dinner last night, and then talked for hours, the light was unchanged until 10:30 when it dimmed a bit. But then it stayed the same for another hour. I dragged myself to bed at that point and I believe it became dusky again at 2:30 am or so. Since I haven't slept well on this trip, it's all the same, meaning, the strange northern light isn't really waking me up. It's really screwing up everything. I am hoping another day will do the trick. In a few days we go even farther north were the nightime is even shorter.

Another thing about Juneau -- no people. On a beach walk, we are the only ones. I thought I spotted a sea monster out in the water, or at least a seal, but it's strange movements were un-seal-like. It turns out it was a swimmer with wetsuit and fins. Too funny.