Quest for Glaciers

We had made reservations for a 4 hour cruise to see some of the glaciers in Prince William Sound on Friday. Glacier Quest Cruise was in our tour book and so we paid $89 plus tax for one ticket and the other was free. A great deal for what turned out to be a great tour. First we had to go through the tunnel to Whittier. The tour started at 1:00 but it was recommended to go through the tunnel by 11:30. It is a one lane 2 1/2 mile long tunnel and goes into Whittier on the hour. You can then return from Whittier on the half hours. You may be delayed if a train which also shares the tunnel is coming through. The tunnel was originally built as a way for trains to get to Whittier as the only way there was by boat or plane. Then later cars were allow to go through as well.

 

We made it through by noon, picked up our tickets and then went to a nearby cafe to get a salmon burger and fries to share.

 

 

 

 

We then made our way to the boat. The catamaran, the M/V Glacier Quest is a very comfortable boat with heated cabins and not being the weekend it was not crowded and so was easy to move around and get plenty of pictures from inside and outside. Our last few days of sunshine are gone and it is cloudy but no rain yet though it is on the horizon. The cruise is on the Blackstone Bay, part of Prince William Sound and is home to the largest concentration of tidewater glaciers. The views are just spectacular.

 

 

There was a forest ranger on board to point out the sites. We passed an old shipwreck in Shotgun Cove. It was grounded and the owner didn't it worth salvaging and it has sat there ever since.

 

 

We passed several glaciers but Blackstone and Beloit were the highlights.

 

 

 

The boat came very close to the glaciers and while out on the deck, we heard the boom as one of the glaciers calved, which is when some of the ice breaks free, We also saw a little calving.

 

Besides the glaciers there were also a lot of waterfalls and beautiful scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn't see a lot of wildlife, but saw a seal sitting on the ice, a large group of birds and a few eagles that I wasn't able to get pictures of as they flew into the bushes quickly.

 

 

What a wonderful trip. The time went by so fast and we were soon back to port. I'll let a few more pictures tell the story of this amazing area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A Little Bit of Paradise

We have stayed at some very pretty sites since we crossed the Canadian border and then back into the US to Alaska. Our latest site has to be one of the prettiest. Williwaw Campground is a US Forest Campground near Portage Glacier on the Portage Valley Hwy. The sites are good sited and well spaced. Our site not only has views of trees but the near by mountains and a glacier. There are quite a few glaciers in this area and Middle Glacier overhangs the campground. There is also a salmon viewing area which we are a little too early for and a stream runs through the park. We aren't right on it but are close enough to hear it when sitting outside. Not bad for nine dollars a day.

 

There is a great bike and hiking trail called the Blue Ice Trail that goes right through the campground and crosses a bridge over the stream. We were on the bridge taking in the magnificient views when a couple of bikers stopped and asked if we wanted our picture taken. How nice.

 

 

 

 

We walked over to the Salmon Viewing Area. The earliest you can see the salmon run is late July and so we were just miss them. Hopefully we will see this at one of our next stops.

 

Thursday we went over to the Begich-Boggs Visitor Center. More lovely views from there as it is on Portage Lake and has views of the Portage Glacier.

 

We drove over to another part of the lake to check out a possible put in if we decide to do any kayaking.

You can see the place where the cruise ships come in across the water in the above picture.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tomorrow we will take a cruise of some more glaciers. Can it get anymore beautiful. And we have had some nice sunny days. What more could you ask more.

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