The Mendenhall Glacier is probably the top tourist destination in the Juneau area.
Since Fluffy and her travel companions had already seen plenty of glaciers, they figured that maybe they could overlook this attraction. However, after saying adieu to Gustavus and arriving to Juneau with little money but a full day and a half to spend before their flight out, the famous glacier seemed to be the perfect diversion. They hopped on one of the many $7 per person (each way) buses that runs frequently from the cruise port downtown up to the glacier, and assumed they would just walk/bus or taxi it back to the airport on their way out.
They were glad they didn't miss this place! Yes, there were many tourists. A couple Japanese tour buses had just unloaded and it almost felt like being in a foreign country. Luckily, there are a few different trails so people can disperse easily enough. Fluffy particularly enjoyed some of the bear and/or curious tourist trails that wind through the dense forests adjacent to glacier's outlying ponds.
It was a magnificent time of year to visit the Mendenhall, as the alder leaves were just starting to change color and a mysterious fall fog lingered over the chilly fresh water. Graceful icebergs drifted across the lake like abandoned swan boats in a city park. Breathing in the fresh Alaskan air, the group was glad to spend their last hours before their flight in such a peaceful place.
The peace was interrupted as they meandered across the parking lot to another trail and found an entire boardwalk scurrying with tourists in plastic ponchos trying to get an up-close photo of a black bear who had obliviously just wandered by. Feeling claustrophobic on the narrow pathway, the group decided it was a good time to check out the Visitor's Center.
Boy, was Fluffy in for a treat! She's always a fan of environmental education and interpretive exhibits, but this center really took it to the next level for a small rabbit. It was as if they had made the displays for her! She was able to climb up right next to a glacier, explore an ice cave with a climber, and -- oops! -- even fall head first into a cold crevice. She made it out just fine, and never got in trouble with any of the U.S. Forest Service staffers who were surveilling the premises.
Next up in the Visitor's Center, Fluffy was able to experience her top fears and fantasies! She burrowed into a mountain goat pelt (who's fur she had always fancied from afar), resting dreamily for a few minutes as she pretended that she was stowing away on a fearless journey along steep alpine cliffs.
She was then distracted by an interactive TV screen with information about Juneau's native salmon. She watched that for a while and particularly enjoyed the underwater video segments.
Then she saw that she had a great opportunity to play a prank on her friends. Without anyone seeing, she hopped into the agape jaw of a REAL bear! Only the bear was not alive. But the sight still gave everyone the chills (including Fluffy). Or maybe it was just Fluffy who had frightened herself, and everyone else though it was adorable. She hopped back out and retreated to the mountain goat fur until it was time to leave for the airport.
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