The real July 29th post

We packed up and continued our trek north towards Whittier today. What a beautiful drive! Have I said that before? It is just indescribable when you drive through these towering mountains on all sides. You don’t want to miss anything so at every turn you scan the mountains for their snow capped beauty, take in the swirling clouds that change constantly and watch the road for animals. My visual senses are on overload!

We traveled about 70 miles to Whittier where we were greeted by a bluish lake dotted with blue and white ice flows floating in it. A very blue Portage Glacier was visible in the mountain above. It was gorgeous. We walked a half mile along a river that was just waiting to be filled with spawning sockeye salmon. The water is like looking through glass it is so clear.

Before entering Whittier there is a one lane tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America, running 2 & ½ miles under Begich Peak. The tunnel also serves the railroad. When cars drive into the tunnel they are actually driving on top of the railroad tracks. The traffic is computer regulated every half hour. At the top of the hour traffic is allowed to leave Whittier for 15 minutes. At the ½ hour traffic is allowed to enter Whittier for 15 minutes…. Unless the train is running in either direction, then you could be delayed! Very interesting set up.

Once on the other side of the tunnel, we entered an enchanting little fishing village in a bowl of mountains. It reminded me of scenes from The Lord of the Rings (I'm not sure which one Dan!). The air is filled with cool, clean, salty, fishy air along with the sound of pounding water from waterfalls and rushing rivers. The train that runs every few hours will blow it’s whistle and the lingering sound echoes through the inlet. The village is only about a ½ mile square! Gary & I walked around, visited a few shops and took some pictures of the harbor. It only took us about an hour to get through it all!

We are dry camping tonight (that means we use our own electricity & water we have on board. There are no hook ups to either of these. And it's now ewwww, its fun!) nestled up against some mountains with 2 gorgeous waterfalls behind us and a river flowing beside us and did I mention it is overlooking the bay also. I think I have found a new home. Just kidding Mom!

Pictures: (1) View behind our campsite (2) Whittier tunnel entrance (3) These are the lanes they park you in and then a green light indicates it's your turn to go (4) Inside the tunnel (5) Portage Lake with ice flow (6&7) Portage Glacier (8&9) Seward Highway drive