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neau-Douglas City Museum.
through the rain forest at Glacier
Bay National Park’s Bartlett Cove;
If you have the time to rent a car bushwhacked with a guide through
to drive “Out the Road,” (a collo- pristine Alaskan landscapes to learn
quial term to describe the 45-mile about the unique flora and fauna
highway that leads past some of only found in this part of the world;
Juneau’s backcountry until it dead gently glided through breathtaking
ends at Echo Cove), you will be re- fjords on a SUP, and photographed
warded with more breath-taking majestic bald eagles as they soared
scenery. The highway winds past in the skies above.
coves and majestic mountain vistas.
Interesting stops en route include While I love adventure, I also love
the Macaulay Salmon Hatchery, the my creature comforts at the end of
Jensen-Olsen Arboretum, and the an activity-packed day. After peeling
Shrine of St. Therese. The Eagle off our boots and waterproof pants,
Beach State Recreation area is locat- it was definitely a joy to return to our
ed at the end of the road and offers a comfortable cabin and await the call
perfect spot for beach combing, hik- to Happy Hour. This was the time to
ing, bird-watching and viewing the meet up with our fellow passengers
whales, sea lions and other marine and share tales of our daily exploits.
wildlife easily visible from the shore. We then convened in the dining
room (no assigned seating so we sat
Before we knew it, we were ready with different passengers at each
to board our adventure cruise ship, meal) to enjoy a multi-course menu
Safari Endeavor, and join fellow pas- that focused on locally-sourced in-
sengers from around the world in gredients. Fine wines accompanied
our exploration of the Alaskan wil- each meal and our on-board pastry
derness. We sipped champagne and chef made certain that each sump-
nibbled on succulent fresh shrimp tuous repast ended with a heavenly
and crab hors d’oeuvres as we made dessert.
our way through the Gastineau
Strait, in the glow of a magnificent True to its name, a boutique adven-
Alaskan sunset. ture cruise is a combination of the
excitement of actively communing
Each day that followed offered one with nature, while being pampered
memorable travel experience after afterwards with five-star service and
another. The first day we sailed near- amenities. Our cruise even included
ly 60 miles up-bay to the Margerie a luxurious, one-hour massage—
tidewater glacier, a highlight of our sheer bliss for our aching muscles
cruise through Glacier Bay National after kayaking for hours around ice
Park, as described in my opening re- floes.
marks.
Traveling on a boutique adventure One of our last stops was a visit to
passenger cruise has more benefits Dawe’s Glacier, in Alaska’s rugged
than may meet the eye. The relative- Endicott Arm. As we enjoyed our
ly small size of the ship allows entry dinner of fresh-caught Alaskan
into fjords and inlets not accessible halibut, we gazed out the ship’s ex-
by larger cruise ships. An added bo- pansive picture windows (which are,
nus is the ability to enjoy off-ship incidentally, washed every day to
excursions daily, which include kay- ensure an un-marred vista from all
aking, skiff boat tours, and bush- the common areas) to marvel at cliff-
whacking experiences--not to speak walled fjords, azure blue inlets, and
of top-notch wining and dining and scenery widely acclaimed as one of
spectacular scenery right outside the most beautiful in Alaska.
your cabin door.
The next morning, while we sipped
And we certainly made use of these our cappuccinos on the upper deck,
wonderful on-ship adventure offer- we heard a rumbling roar and
ings! Tony and I kayaked through watched a huge section of the Dawe’s
glacier ice floes; marveled at breech- glacier fall into the ocean right be-
ing whales from a skiff boat; hiked fore our eyes. It took me a moment
Wine Dine & Travel 2016 93