Glacier's and Halibut

On June 11th we went on a four-hour tour around Whittier, Alaska. We saw many glaciers, with runoff from them to the water below. It was beautiful to look around the inlet and see streams of water running down every crevice in the mountains, even where there was no glacier. It was quite cold - remember, we ARE in Alaska (but it's June)!


When we were near one of the glaciers, we heard a large piece break away and fall into the water. This is called 'calving'. We saw several bald eagles soaring in the area - what majestic birds they are.

Whittier is about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage and the only way to access it by land is to go through the train tunnel. There is a rotating schedule for cars entering Whittier, releasing cars (exiting Whittier) and trains. The cost is $12 to enter Whittier, but they let you out free. You really have to plan your trip, otherwise you could be stranded for quite some time. We took this picture as we were waiting to leave. The tunnel is 2 1/2 miles long.

On the 12th of June Garth scheduled a halibut charter leaving from Anchor Point. The charter he was on lost his reservation, but he was able to find one leaving at 1:00 p.m. He returned around 7:00 and had a wonderful time, but only had 17 lbs. of halibut. They clean and package the fish for you. Well, it's a start on filling up the new freezer we bought. We ate some fresh halibut when we got home Saturday and it was delicious!

We spent the night Thursday at Ninilchik Point Overnighter. This is the view from our cabin window. That is a volcano across the water and there are several along that range of mountains.

The cabins are advertised as "homegrown" log cabins. It was VERY clean but VERY rustic. The people in the cabin next to ours brought their catch of the day and cleaned it themselves right outside the cabin. I watched a young eagle (not 'bald' yet) flying around them hoping someone would share with him. He was really big and I watched him for a long time as he was watching them. We saw quite a few bald eagles in the area of Anchor Point and Ninilchik - must be good fishing for them, too.

Friday morning we got up really early to go back to Anchorage (180 miles) so we could attend the two morning sessions at the Temple. What a perfect way to end our latest Alaska experience.