10 July 2018. Ferry to Whittier AK
We got up at 5 am to be at the Ferry MV Aurora to take us from Valdez to Whittier AK. Once again, it was raining. This ferry was full to the brim – they had to work jig saw puzzles again. We had doubts they were going to make the schedule, but they did, and we were off through Prince William Sound (you probably remember that body of water from the Exxon Valdez disaster a few years back)
We were told that Whittier became a Military refueling point during World War II, because it was located in a Fjord that had constant cloud cover. So the enemy could not find the fuel depot! The weather has not changed any since then. We decided to head out through the famous 2.5 mile tunnel between Whittier and Portage (there isn’t any choice of how to drive out). This tunnel is very unique. It was originally built as a railroad tunnel, and still operates as a railroad tunnel. They have added concrete between the tracks so that cars can drive on it – but it is only wide enough for one car. So, Northbound traffic can go through for 15 minutes on the hour. Southbound gets their chance for 15 minutes on the half hour. Don’t know for sure how they schedule the trains in- but they do!
We stopped at the famous Portage Glacier – neat visitor center! – but couldn’t see much of the multitude of glaciers in the area. We picked a nearby campground and settled in for the night.
