Mendenhall Glacier
We had finally arrived at
Juneau. Our first destination was the one we rated as number one on our
schedule: Mendenhall Glacier. It was misting, but we decided to not let that
dampen our spirits.
From a distance, the beauty of the majestic glacier
immediately enamored us. The variety of color, mostly in shades of blue and
white, was stunning, as were the icebergs floating on the icy-cold lake and the
grandiose waterfall.
As we headed for the entrance we expected to have to
pay a hefty entrance fee. To our amazement however, there was no mention of an
admission charge. In fact, they were giving away brochures for the many hiking
trails! We figured we had overlooked something somewhere, but as we searched for
a ticket booth there were none to be found. We were amazed!
We decided to admire the glacier from as close as we
could get. To do so, we chose a three-mile hiking trail that led us through an
incredible rainforest. We found ourselves amongst moss-covered trees, unique
flowers, ferns, mushrooms, creeks, and waterfalls. Most of the same vegetation
found in the South American rainforest was available here, without the South
American wild animals! (We did have North American bugs to contend with however.
I mustn't forget to mention those!) We left the glacier grounds blessed, with a
pocketful of memories that will be with us forever.
If a free attraction like Mendenhall Glacier was a
highlight of our morning, how much more blessed we would be with the next
attraction, a tour of a renowned garden in the rain forest!
It had stopped misting and started pouring (this was
Alaska, after all!), but the receptionist guaranteed us there was no better time
to visit than now. "It rains here all the time anyway!" she insisted.
A "meager" 85.89$ later, we found ourselves waiting
for half an hour for the promised tourist guide, who was supposed to have shown
up after just five minutes. These gardens had a unique way of decorating:
upside-down trees with the roots sticking up instead of down, covered with
colorful flowers and moss. They looked like umbrellas. They didn't work like
umbrellas, however. Nothing could keep THAT rain out! There were also myriads of
beautiful flowers on display. It was obvious that great care had been taken to
landscape the gardens. Unfortunately, it was difficult to look "up" under an
umbrella!
After a brief tour of the garden, we were assigned a
golf cart that brought us to the summit where we had the privilege of walking to
a lookout that displayed … dense fog! I'm not sure why fog is so special in
Alaska!
Now I love visiting gardens, but to me rain does not
make for good garden enjoyment. In fact, now that I think about it, I believe I
am allergic to rainy gardens! You would be, too, if you visit the liquid
sunshine state! When you are damp in the inside as well as on the outside, and
every picture you take is in the pouring rain, you can't help shivering with
cold! I realized then and there that the best things in life are free. To me,
Mendenhall Glacier, the free attraction, was by far more impressive than the
gardens that we had to pay for. And I realized that what made it so special was
that I was able to enjoy the beauty of the glacier with my family. Had I gone by
myself, I still would have enjoyed the view, but my memories would not have been
as pleasant!
May I learn to savor the times where I can enjoy being
with my family as well as my close friends. But above all else, may I always
remember that the highs of my life are always when I spend time with my Forever
friend. These experiences are free, but their memories are priceless!
"Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! Lovely as
an angel, beautiful as a rose - don't ever quit taking delight in her…" (Prov
5:18-19 The Message)
"Parents rejoice when their children turn out well;
wise children become proud parents." (Prov 23:24 The Message)
"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon
the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." (Ps 27:4 NIV)
Would you like a leaky umbrella? I have one for sale
for just 85.89$!
P. S. The best free offer ever is the offer of
salvation provided by Jesus Himself! You see, the best things in life are REALLY
free!
Rob Chaffart
On the left: glaciers. On the right: Alaska's rainforest
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