Joseph Travel Blog: Enchanted Taku Glacier Lodge and 5-Glacier Sea Plane Discovery

By far the most amazing experience of our Alaskan Cruise was our port adventure in Juneau, the "Enchanted Taku Glacier Lodge and 5-Glacier Sea Plane Discovery". When going to Alaska everyone looks forward to seeing the wildlife and scenery this untamed country has to offer. On a cruise however, the only way to fully experience it is through your port excursions. After determining that this was going to be the big splurge on our trip we had high hopes and expectations that this would give us the taste and experience of Alaska we all wanted. We boarded the 10 seat float plane and took off from the port of Juneau where our ship was. The forty five mile and thirty minute trip was narrated and told us all about the Juneau ice fields we were getting to discover by plane. The view was incredible as we flew over the glaciers that from the air look like rivers of ice. Everyone had a window seat and their own headphones to listen.

The landing at the Taku Lodge was exciting. Upon our arrival the visitors were telling us about a bear in a tree just to the right of the lodge. We scrambled up the hill to take a look and could see his nose peaking through the pine branches. One of the lodge employees was standing close by advising us where to look and cautioning us about getting to close. He held a big walking stick in his hand and I wondered if that was really just for walking or could possibly be more for protection.

We wandered around the grounds and took in the scenic views. Directly across the river was the "Hole in the wall" glacier. This glacier is considered a small arm of the much larger Taku glacier. It measures 2 and half miles wide and a mile high. From our view it looked enormous. It didn't take long before the smell of our grilling Wild Alaskan Salmon lunch began to waft through the air and entice us over to take a closer look. We watched as the cook prepared the basting sauce and tried to take mental notes. Of course a quick Google at home and I found the recipe to share with you. As he grilled we asked him how it was he cam he to be the cook. He said that basically there is a small handful of employees that live and work here in the summer season and you take on the roles that you are the best at. It sounded like a very family/team kind of atmosphere and I wondered what kind of job I would get if I worked here.

Soon our Salmon was ready and they called us to lunch. Along with our salmon they served us home made herb biscuits, that were amazing, freshly baked sourdough bread, baked beans and coleslaw it was a feast. Our drinks were served with authentic glacier ice compliments of the " Hole in the wall". Not only was there plenty of food on our plates there was plenty of food for seconds of everything and my kids ate they're fill of salmon. While eating the employees told us the history of this nearly 100 year old lodge and of the fascinating Mary Joyce who ran it. While eating our lunch we watched, through the big glass window in the dining room, our bear come back and begin to lick the sand in the bottom of the grill where the salmon drippings had fallen while cooking. Our lunch was interrupted as we snatched up the cameras and ran outside to get an up close picture. Seeing the bear was just another reminder of how remote we were and of the rich wildlife surrounding us.

After lunch our guide, along with his big walking stick and the camp dog, took us on the short glacier view trail. This route offered panoramic views of the glacier and a look at the rainforest environment we were in. Our time at the lodge was coming to an end and we headed down to the docks to watch our planes arrive loaded with new guest to drop off. Watching the small fleet come in and land one at a time on the river was just one more indication of how exclusive and special this adventure really was. Our son Stuart got to ride in the cockpit with the pilot on the way back and our daughter Leah having been thrilled with the sighting of the bears and filled the delicious salmon actually fell asleep on the way back with gentle hum of the engine coaxing her.

Steve and I looked back over the spectacular views of the ice fields knowing that we had just experienced an adventure of a lifetime giving us some wonderful memories to look back on.

Taku Lodge Sea Plane Adventure