Amazing Inside Passage

It is not down in any map; true places never are.
                                                                ~Herman Melville

If you ever decide to take an Alaskan cruise, make sure it includes the inside passage.  The scenery and seeing nature at it's best is beyond what my words and photos can convey.  We did see whales, but I was never quick enough with my camera.  On our second day, right after breakfast, Mr. Cottage and I were strolling the deck when we noticed a lone hummingbird, far from any land.  Another couple saw it, too, which meant we weren't seeing things.  Here is some of the spectacular scenery we saw along the way...

Did you notice the flock of birds in the photo above?  This is the actual color of the water...

If you look in the lower right corner of this next photo, you'll see a smaller ship that was getting as close as it could to the glacier.  To see this in person is beyond awesome.  It really puts things into perspective and to see the amazing wonders of this world and God's creation...

I really don't want to gross anyone out, but this again is nature in full swing.  I think the mother and baby seal had just had some lunch or dinner.  Mother was in the water and the baby joined her right after I took this photo...

Yours truly, trying to keep warm and admiring the great views...

Look closely and you'll notice the color of the ice below the water.  Really beautiful...

There were lots of waterfalls along the route...

We brought along our binoculars and, yes, this is really a campground in a VERY remote area...

To be honest, I wouldn't mine being back there right now with our heat wave that's been going on.  I'll show you some more amazing photos tomorrow of the Yukon and Alaska.