Whittier - Unique Gateways In And Out

In planning our route for this trip I had hoped we would be able to use Whittier as our AMHS embarkation point. That was when I learned the complexities of transportation when you have to go through a tunnel shared by cars and trains and a train schedule that changes with the seasons. Hmmmm ..


When you have to match that with ferry schedules that are complicated and air travel that takes some juggling ... well, you get the idea. So - that caused us to miss traveling through the doorway to Whittier - the 13,300 foot Anton Anderson Tunnel. But - that meant we would experience the "other door" the Passage Canal, gateway to Prince William Sound.



We can verify the magnificence of that entry point and gliding through those pristine waters and spectacular scenery was awesome. The Port of Whittier has an amazing history, beginning during World War II with the construction of extensive military facilities.


Over time the population has risen to several thousand only to decline to it's present level of less than three hundred - but with an annual visiting population of over 700,000.


So, we were really looking forward to spending a little time ashore and prepared to "hit the deck" early for our excursion. We had also hoped to say goodby to some of the folks we had met but they were a bit earlier than we were. Although we missed seeing the Whittier (A. Anderson) Tunnel we got to see the 'mini-version' as we exited the ship and went through a 500-600 foot pedestrian underpass tunnel beneath the rail lines.



There were tons of fishing and recreational boats tied up in the town marina and more stored ashore. There was also a large quantity of small shops - most of which were busily getting ready for the summer season.





At the Anchor Hotel there is also a museum which documents and chronicles the 65 year history of the town and the countless eons of Alaskan history. We enjoyed walking around and chatting with some of the local folks and then we realized that this was a rare opportunity to try 'Geocaching.'





We quickly discovered two caches within easy walking distance and soon had our first Alaska "finds". We left a "Geobuck" (see the note in the right margin) and made log entries in both. It was a really nice 'shore visit' but like true 'wanderers' we started getting a little itchy to see what was at the end of the next inlet so we said goodbye to Mayor Blair and headed back aboard to 'shove off'.





Our next stop was one we were really excited about - Chenega Bay! It lies in the middle of the area heavily damaged by the tsunami during the 1964 earthquake and one of the hardest hit by the Exxon Valdez oil spill. We wanted to see, first-hand, how the recovery has progressed. With new travelers joining us for this leg we got underway promptly and headed into the sound. We've got lots to see so, rest your eyes and come on back. See



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Location:Cliffside Rd,Kodiak,United States