Seward

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The Alaska Marine Highway ferry ride was great. After driving onto the ferry, we just relaxed and watched the scenery go by as the Captain did the driving, no bad roads, no loose gravel, no construction, no pilot cars. At one spot, several orcas had gathered and were jumping around. The captain turned the boat in a circle around them so all the passengers could get a great view. I got one great photo of a baby orca breeching.

As we pulled into Whittier, more glaciers, more beautiful waterfalls. Off the boat and onto the road toward the TUNNEL. We were quite fortunate; we got there when our side got the green light to proceed. Proceeding into the dark and damp tunnel while driving on train tracks felt ominous. After 2.5 miles, the light at the other end showed the continued train tracks with a big sign that said, KEEP LEFT to get to the road. The road to Seward was one of the best roads so far this trip. At Seward, we opted to stay in the Waterfront Campground, right on Resurrection Bay. It’s another gorgeous view, but very windy with gusts of 30-40 mph, I’d guess. The RV is really rocking! Since it’s so windy, we’ll opt not to fish here, but move on to another town on the Kenai Peninsula.

Thursday, we visited the Alaska SeaLife Center and hiked to the face of Exit Glacier. The SeaLife Center is Alaska’s only public aquarium and marine wildlife rescue center. Much of the money to fund the $56-million facility was from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill settlement in addition to municipal bonds and private fundraising. The face of the Exit Glacier is about a 1-mile hike from the parking lot and was well worth the effort. We wondered how it got its name as many of the Glaciers are named after explorers and this one didn’t seem to be. Explanation: it was the exit point of the first group to cross the Harding Icefield in 1968. (It was originally the Resurrection Glacier.)

Tomorrow: off to Ninilchik!

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Photos

Driving our RV onto the ferry
We just watched them unload a big touring bus through that small cavity. It took 20 minutes.

Another pretty view
View from the front of the ferry

Another beautiful waterfall
I can't quit snapping pictures of the enormous waterfalls

Orca breeching
This is where the Captain turned the boat around for us to all get a good view!

Whittier
Glacier and waterfalls in the background as we pull into Whittier

The waterfalls
So many waterfalls in Whittier

The TUNNEL
There are 8 staging lanes to enter the tunnel

Inside the tunnel
A blurry picture of driving down the train tracks

Exiting the tunnel
As we exited, a big sign said KEEP LEFT so we wouldn't continue on the train tracks. Imagine a train coming toward you when you exit the tunnel here!

SeaLife Center
A puffin in its natural habitat

SeaLife Center
A wolf eel which has come out of its hiding place to feed on some squid.

The EXIT Glacier
Ross took this great picture with my iPhone of Linda and Linda as we posed in front of the glacier. It was too funny not to post!

EXIT Glacier
This Is where we hiked to - the face of the glacier.

Trusting souls!
We stopped at a pottery shop after the glacier hike. This sign was sitting on the floor. It's been this way the whole trip - "The door's open; just leave your money if I'm not here...."