Alaska Day 48B - Whittier

Pam and Lon veered off to Whittier at Portage Glacier Road.  They knew this was going to be good when they dropped the coach in the Visitor Center parking lot to take the car into Whittier.  There in the lake by the parking lot was an iceberg.  Remember, click on pictures to enlarge.

They paid the $12 toll and got in line for the 11:30 tunnel crossing.  Cars, semis, buses and trains all use this one lane tunnel to get through the mountain.  There are 4 lanes to wait in while while either the train or opposite direction traffic flow through.

Finally they got the green light exactly at 11:30 and traveled the 2.5 mile tunnel to Whittier, a town of 300.  One way in and one way out except by boat.

They paid the $10 parking fee and boarded the Klondike Express, which will do 40 knots, for a 26 glacier cruise, $289 for 2 people which included a very good fish and chips dinner.  Well worth the money.

The glaciers were amazing, they saw 2 "calvings" (when a small portion of the Tidewater glaciers drop into the sea) but didn't have the camera ready for a pic

There was lots of wildlife also, 4 Orca whales, only the 2nd sighting of the season according to the crew

                                                                    and sea otters

                                                                         and sea lions

as well as bald eagles, a bunch of different birds, salmon jumping and a quick glimpse of a black bear but couldn't get a snapshot of them.

We love this picture.  Is this a great country or what?  God bless the USA!!

After the 5.5 hour tour that went 138 miles, on very smooth water, they headed back through the tunnel and dry camped at the Willawaw National Campground in the Chugach National Forest, just a few miles away, for the night.

Pam made crescent rolls and homemade split pea soup for dinner.  With a glass of fine Costco Chardonnay and armed with the "bear spray" they had a campfire and enjoyed dinner in the forest.

All told they took 139 pictures.  Way to many to upload.  On Wednesday, August 16th, they'll hook up with the Cockerells in Anchorage and see what kind of mischief they've gotten into.